Articles tagged with Addiction
Researchers discovered greater serotonin transporter levels in brain regions during fall/winter compared to spring/summer, suggesting more serotonin removal. This finding explains why some experience low mood and energy in the winter.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has received a $15 million investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to propel its research on mental illness and addiction forward. The funding will support six research themes, including optimizing treatment across mental illness and substance use disorders.
Common genetic variations affecting nicotine receptors can significantly increase the risk of lifelong nicotine addiction in European American youth who begin smoking before age 17. The study found that possession of a high-risk haplotype can lead to a 1.6-fold to almost 5-fold increase in risk of heavy smoking as an adult.
Common genetic variations in nicotine receptors significantly increase the chance of life-long nicotine addiction among European American youth smokers. A study of 2,827 long-term smokers found that those who began smoking before age 17 with a high-risk haplotype had a 1.6- to 5-fold increased risk of heavy nicotine dependence.
A worldwide literature review suggests that increased cannabis potency is not a driving factor behind mental health problems. In some countries, like the US and Netherlands, THC levels have risen, but this variation is greater than over years or decades.
Researchers are developing a nicotine vaccine to stimulate the immune system's response against nicotine, while also examining the effectiveness of combination therapies and counseling in treating nicotine addiction. Effective treatments are crucial to match individual patients' needs.
A recent study reveals that approximately 2.1% of US youth aged 14-21 exhibit problem gambling behaviors, projecting to around 750,000 young problem gamblers nationwide. The study also found significant correlations between increased gambling involvement and transitioning into adulthood.
Researchers found approximately one in every two hundred genes showed an epigenetic difference in the brains of psychiatric patients. These changes were noted on genes involved in neurotransmission, brain development, and other processes linked to disease origins.
Researchers from Princeton University have developed a new experimental technique to study brainstem activity in humans, tracking changes in blood flow associated with dopamine levels. The findings provide critical insights into the role of brain chemicals in neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction and Parkinson's disease.
A study presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting found a clear link between GABA and nicotine dependence. The researchers discovered that nicotine has significant effects on brain GABA levels, which could potentially help curb the pleasurable effects of nicotine and aid in quitting addiction.
Scientists report a breakthrough strategy to reduce smokers' nicotine dependence while allowing them to continue smoking. By gradually decreasing nicotine content in cigarettes, most smokers cut their daily cigarette consumption by 40% and experienced comparable reductions in nicotine intake.
A CU-Boulder study suggests that individual brain chemistry and genes play a key role in determining nicotine addiction. The researchers found that the effects of nicotine diminish at night due to genetic differences and melatonin recognition. Higher levels of stress hormone corticosterone during the day enhance nicotine sensitivity.
Research suggests that cravings for chocolate are driven by sugar and fat content rather than psychoactive compounds, contradicting popular notions of 'addiction'. The study also reveals a preference for milk chocolate and chocolate-covered confectionery over dark chocolate.
Researchers discovered a key role for fictive learning in evaluating behavior, influencing decisions and potential addiction. The study used investment games and fMRI to measure brain responses to 'what could have been' outcomes, revealing a distinct signal in the ventral caudate nucleus.
Implementing NICE-recommended smoking cessation interventions can benefit employees' health and employers' businesses. The interventions include short counselling sessions, nicotine replacement therapy, and group therapy to help smokers quit, resulting in reduced lost productivity and improved public health.
Researchers found that specific genes distinguish smokers who quit from those who struggle with addiction, suggesting a biological basis for success. The study could lead to personalized treatment plans tailored to individual genetic profiles.
A CAMH study found that previously married mothers had higher rates of depressive disorders and alcohol abuse compared to married or never-married mothers. The study also showed that single mothers who were never married and currently married mothers have similar prevalence rates of psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Researchers found that individuals with a preference for immediate rewards had more active ventral striatum regions, which may indicate risk for addictions and gambling problems. The study suggests that understanding individual differences in ventral striatal sensitivity could aid efforts to treat impulsive behavior.
A study by Marina Picciotto and colleagues at Yale University has identified a crucial gene involved in nicotine-induced behaviors in the brain. The researchers found that blocking CREB activity in the nucleus accumbens blocks nicotine reward, suggesting potential new targets for smoking cessation therapies.
The facility has attracted high-risk injection drug users, leading to significant reductions in syringe sharing and public discarded syringes, as well as increased uptake of addiction treatment services.
A new study reveals that brain monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) enzyme is significantly higher in individuals with untreated depression, leading to lower levels of key chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. This finding provides a comprehensive disease model for depression, which can aid in targeted treatment.
Internet addiction is increasingly affecting people's lives, leading to negative consequences such as divorce and physical symptoms like cyber shakes. Recognizing this addiction will allow for appropriate treatment, enabling therapists to address technological addictions and their associated issues.
A recent survey of 11,600 students in India found that sixth-grade students are using tobacco at a rate two to four times that of their eighth-grade peers. This trend suggests an initial wave of increased tobacco use among Indian youth, which warrants early intervention. The proportion of all deaths attributed to tobacco is expected to...
Bidding frenzy, a mental state characterized by high arousal and competition, causes consumers to value auctioned products more highly. The study found that English auctions, where bidders compete directly, lead to higher values due to dynamic interaction with publicly available high bids.
Researchers have developed a new fluorine-18 labeled imaging agent, nifrolidine, which binds to a receptor involved in cognition and learning. This receptor is also linked to nicotine addiction and lung cancer, making it a potential target for early Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study found that genetic variation can predict an individual's likelihood of taking up smoking and their nicotine dependency. Chromosomes 6, 14, and 10 contain regions associated with smoking behavior. Researchers used a large twin study to investigate the role of genetics in smoking.
Mortality rates among homeless women aged 18-44 are significantly higher than the general population, with a 10-fold increased risk of death. The authors suggest addressing addictions, HIV infection, and mental health issues through targeted programs to save lives.
A study from UCI reveals that individuals with hostile personalities exhibit significant brain activity in response to nicotine, leading to a predisposition for cigarette addiction. Non-hostile individuals show no such reaction.
Researchers found that top-selling moist snuff brands contained high amounts of free-base nicotine, while the relationship between market share and nicotine content in loose-leaf tobacco was less consistent. The study highlights the importance of regulating nicotine levels in smokeless tobacco products to prevent addiction.
A recent Neurology journal study has identified levodopa addiction in non-parkinsonian patients, suggesting the potential for addiction to this common Parkinson's disease treatment. Additionally, researchers have discovered RNA gene slicing mutations in McArdle patients, revealing new insights into neuromuscular diseases.
A University of Florida study found that college-age men were more prone to excessive exercise and related negative effects compared to women. Men who exercised for physical and mental well-being benefits were more likely to become dependent on working out.
A recent University of Toronto study examines the probability of male homosexuality based on fraternal birth order. The researchers found that 15% of gay men in the sample could be attributed to the fraternal birth order effect.
Tucson chemist Ralph Hruby has received a national award for his research on peptides that affect human behavior and addictions. His work on alpha-MSH has shown that small changes in the hormone's structure can lead to significant effects on behavior, including appetite regulation.
A recent study found that nearly 11% of participants with internet gambling experience were classified as problem or pathological gamblers, compared to only 22% without internet gambling. Internet gamblers tended to be younger, unmarried, and have lower education and income levels than non-internet gamblers.
A study in Tobacco Control found that nicotine addiction symptoms appear within weeks of starting to smoke, rather than gradually. Almost two-thirds of smokers exhibited symptoms of dependency, with cravings and feelings of addiction being the most common initial symptoms.
A study published in Tobacco Control found that symptoms of nicotine dependence can appear within four weeks or even just a few days of starting to smoke. The research team monitored over 700 teenagers and found that nearly two-thirds developed at least one symptom of addiction, with feeling addicted being the most common initial symptom.
A meta-analysis of 23,410 participants found increased left-handedness in gay men and lesbian women compared to heterosexual individuals. This suggests that early developmental factors may play a role in the origins of homosexuality.
Research from the University of Birmingham found little evidence of exercise addiction among women, unless they have an eating disorder like bulimia or anorexia. The study showed no significant psychological problems among women who exercised excessively compared to non-exercisers.
A genome scan identified regions on chromosomes 2, 4, 10, 16, 17 and 18 that may contain genes influencing nicotine dependence. The study used two independent samples, with limited replication in several regions suggesting further investigation is warranted.
A recent study suggests that smokers with depression may be more likely to self-medicate with cigarettes due to genetic differences. The research found that individuals with specific variants of the dopamine D4 receptor gene were more likely to smoke for mood-enhancing purposes.
A new study by University of Washington researchers found that commitment is a crucial factor in keeping New Year's resolutions. The study, which surveyed over 264 subjects, found that people who made strong initial commitments and had coping strategies were more likely to succeed.
A study found that paying high-performing employees according to their performance can help retain them, as promotions alone do not effectively reduce turnover among top performers. High salary growth also helps retain high performers more than it does low performers.