Articles tagged with Cannabis
A new study found that delaying marijuana use until age 17 is associated with better brain function and fewer cognitive declines. Adolescents who started using cannabis earlier showed poorer verbal skills and vocabulary, as well as difficulties with problem-solving and daily adaptation.
A study by University of Colorado School of Medicine students found that nearly half believe marijuana has significant physical health benefits and 37% think it has mental health benefits. Despite this support, many medical students expressed hesitancy to recommend marijuana themselves due to a lack of data and training.
Medical students in Colorado express strong support for marijuana legalization, but hesitate to prescribe it due to limited data and training. Most believe further research is needed on its physical and mental health benefits.
Researchers have identified a non-addictive pathway to pain relief by targeting endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. The study suggests that selective activation of CB2 receptors can contribute to the medicinal benefits of cannabis while minimizing the risk of tolerance and withdrawal.
Researchers developed a new method to detect trace levels of cannabinoids in breast milk, which could help determine health risks for infants exposed through second-hand use.
A recent study found that cannabis use among older Americans is increasing, with most users taking it less than once a week. The study suggests that social attitudes, state laws, and individual health needs are shaping these paths, and recommends a national survey to inform public policy.
A new study found that teen perception of marijuana's harmfulness decreased by 14.2% and 16.1% in Washington's 8th- and 10th-graders after recreational legalization, while marijuana use increased by 2.0% and 4.1%. No changes were seen in Colorado.
A study found that marijuana legalization significantly reduced perceptions of harm in eighth- and 10th-graders, but increased past-month use by 2-4% in Washington state. No change was seen in Colorado. The authors attribute the increase in teen use to reduced stigma and perceived risk after legalization.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that states with medical marijuana laws experienced an 11% reduction in traffic fatalities, with the greatest impact on drivers aged 15-24 and 25-44. Dispensaries were also associated with a significant reduction in traffic fatalities among this age group.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found a significant rise in past-month marijuana use among women of reproductive age between 2002 and 2014. The prevalence increased from 2.4% to 3.9%, with higher rates among younger and pregnant women.
A recent study from the University of Bristol found stronger evidence that schizophrenia risk predicts cannabis use, rather than the other way round. This suggests that people with schizophrenia may use cannabis as a form of self-medication to manage symptoms.
A new study from Colorado State University found that using cannabis for depression or anxiety relief may not be the long-term answer. Researchers analyzed data from 178 college-aged users of recreational cannabis, who reported lower symptoms of one condition compared to another.
Researchers found that N-acetylcysteine reduced both marijuana and alcohol use in treatment-engaged adolescents. The study's results suggest NAC may generalize to other substances and be useful in decreasing adolescent alcohol use.
The 2016 Monitoring the Future survey reveals a significant decline in teen substance use, particularly among eighth graders, with past year use of any illicit drug at its lowest ever. Marijuana use also shows a promising trend, with past month rates dropping to 5.4% among eighth graders.
A new study found that only 20% of cannabis dispensary staff have medical or scientific training, despite recommending treatments to patients. The lack of training is concerning, as some recommendations may be ineffective and worsen patient conditions.
A small study found an abnormality involving the retina that may account for altered vision in regular cannabis users. The study used pattern electroretinography to measure retinal ganglion cell function and found a significant delay in transmission of action potentials.
A new study detected traces of THC, a primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana, in the urine of children exposed to secondary marijuana smoke. Higher concentrations were found in non-white children compared to white children. Researchers call for further investigation into secondhand marijuana smoke exposure as a potential health risk.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have found measurable amounts of THC in the urine of young children exposed to secondhand marijuana smoke. The study highlights the need for education and awareness about the dangers of secondhand smoke to children in areas where marijuana use is common.
A study found that cannabis users in Australia recommended package warnings that focused on driving ability, mental health, and addiction risk, mirroring some expert warnings. However, users also suggested unconventional warnings not typically recommended by experts, highlighting the need for caution in packaging cannabis products.
A recent NYU study found a 71% increase in marijuana use among adults aged 50 and older, with most users starting before age 18. The study's findings challenge the myth that older adults do not use recreational drugs, highlighting the need for further research on its effects in this population.
A study found that marijuana use prevalence increased by 6% among men earning less than $20,000 annually between 2007 and 2014, compared to only 2% for women in the same income group. This widening gender gap is linked to economic hardship and insecurity during the Great Recession.
A UBC study found that marijuana use could help some alcoholics and opioid addicts kick their habits, as well as alleviate symptoms of depression, PTSD, and social anxiety. However, cannabis may not be recommended for conditions like bipolar disorder and psychosis.
A study led by Indiana University researcher Andrea Hohmann found a compound that reduces chronic pain in mice without addiction risk or 'marijuana high'. The compound modulates the brain's cannabis receptors and amplifies the therapeutic effect of endocannabinoids.
Prohibition laws on drugs have been shown to be ineffective in reducing addiction and violence, with a quarter of a billion adults worldwide taking illegal drugs. Doctors are calling for health and human rights to be prioritized over punitive responses.
Active marijuana use was linked to an increased risk of developing stress cardiomyopathy, a sudden weakening of the heart muscle reducing its ability to pump. Marijuana users were more likely to experience cardiac arrest and require implanted defibrillators compared to non-users.
Research suggests high-potency cannabis, with high THC and no CBD, increases risk of dependence. The study, which analyzed over 400 young cannabis users, found those who preferred high-potency cannabis were twice as likely to show problematic use.
A large Danish cohort study found that substance abuse increases schizophrenia risk by 6 times, with specific associations for cannabis, alcohol, and other substances. The study suggests a complex relationship between schizophrenia and substance abuse, with second-hand exposure to cannabis linked to increased risk.
An international team of scientists has created a three-dimensional atomic-level image of the human cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), revealing an expansive and complicated binding pocket network. The findings have potential to guide drug design for pain, inflammation, obesity, fibrosis, and other indications.
The study provides a three-dimensional image of cannabinoid receptor 1, which is found to be embedded in the surface of many nerve cells. This discovery could explain how pain medications meant to mimic cannabis use without the 'high' can cause unintended side effects.
New research by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health finds that adults 26 years and older increased their past-month marijuana use from 5.87% to 7.15% after medical marijuana laws passed, but there was no effect on adolescents or young adults. Perceived availability of marijuana also increased among those over 25.
A new study found that early marijuana use is associated with abnormal brain function, particularly in areas related to reward-processing and motor control. Additionally, those who used marijuana from a young age had lower IQ scores and more pronounced abnormalities in brain regions responsible for visuo-spatial processing and memory.
College student marijuana use has continued to rise since 2006, with daily or near-daily use increasing from 3.5% in 2007 to 4.6% in 2015. In contrast, nonmedical use of prescription narcotic drugs has declined among college students, falling from 8.8% in 2006 to 3.3% in 2015.
A new study by University College London found that smoking cannabis makes people less willing to work for money in the short term. The researchers tested motivation levels in volunteers and cannabis addicts, finding no difference between the two groups when not under the influence.
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that the number of US adults using marijuana increased between 2002 and 2014, with a corresponding decrease in perceived risk of harm. Despite this, the prevalence of marijuana use disorders remained stable, highlighting the need for effective education and prevention messages.
Researchers found that THC increases laziness in rats, making them less willing to perform challenging tasks, but CBD had no effect. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding cannabis' impact on cognitive effort and decision-making.
Researchers found that men had greater pain relief from smoking marijuana after analyzing data from 42 recreational marijuana smokers. Women reported a small increase in pain tolerance but no significant decrease in pain sensitivity.
A New York University study found that marijuana use is associated with increased feelings of self-attractiveness, sociability, and boldness, while also being linked to vaginal dryness. In contrast, alcohol use was more commonly associated with social outgoingness and atypical partner choice, as well as post-sex regret.
Research at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that high school students with psychiatric symptoms were more likely to use substances like alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. The study highlights the link between mental health issues and substance use among teenagers in Brazil.
A new study published in the American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report found that secondhand marijuana smoke can cause temporary damage to blood vessels, similar to tobacco smoke. Exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke lasted for at least 90 minutes, whereas tobacco smoke exposure recovered within 30 minutes.
A study found a significant increase in hospital visits and pediatric marijuana exposure cases in Colorado after recreational use was legalized. The authors reported an average rate of 2.3 marijuana-related visits per 100,000 population and a 34% increase in regional poison center cases.
A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania estimates that the average joint contains 0.32 grams of marijuana, significantly lower than previous estimates of 0.3-0.75 grams. This finding has important implications for understanding marijuana trafficking and revenue projections post-legalization.
A study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that long-term marijuana users show a decreased response in their brain's reward system, making them more susceptible to addiction. This decrease can lead to a blunted emotional response, also known as anhedonia.
A University of Georgia study found that medical marijuana leads to lower prescription drug use, particularly for conditions like glaucoma and pain. The study estimated savings of $468 million if all states had implemented medical marijuana laws.
A strong majority of Ontarians support government-controlled options for producing and selling cannabis, with nearly two-thirds backing sales in government-regulated outlets. The survey also found growing support for liberalizing recreational cannabis use, with over half supporting legalization.
A new study suggests that mixing cannabis with tobacco increases the risk of dependence and decreases motivation to quit. Cannabis users who prefer non-tobacco routes have higher odds of seeking help to use less cannabis and tobacco, indicating a lower risk of psychological dependence.
A study examining childhood weight's link to age of first substance use found significant correlations between weight status and timing of first use among specific racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic girls who were overweight as children were more likely to begin using substances at an earlier age.
The federal government restricts externally valid scientific research on Cannabis sativa due to its Schedule I classification. This limits the potency and variability of THC in approved products, hindering studies on its therapeutic benefits and risks.
The current federal legal status of marijuana is a major barrier to research and regulation. Reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous substance would make it easier for scientists to study its medical benefits and untangle regulations. This could lead to safer pesticides being tested on legal crops.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with thicker prefrontal cortex in children. The study found no differences in overall brain volume, but highlights the importance of preventing cannabis and cigarette use during pregnancy.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that adolescents using both marijuana and alcohol during middle school and high school are more likely to experience poor academic performance, mental health issues, and physical health problems. Nonwhite youth tend to face greater disparities in functioning compared to white youth.
A new study suggests that dispensary-grade cannabis may contain harmful yeasts and toxic molds, compromising its medicinal benefits. The researchers recommend re-evaluating culture-based techniques and conducting additional sequencing-based studies to investigate the cannabis microbiome.
Researchers found that long-term marijuana users had more brain activity in the mesocorticolimbic-reward system when presented with cannabis cues. This disruption of the natural reward process correlates with problems associated with marijuana use and is an indicator of dependency.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that medical marijuana users report improved pain, nausea, anxiety, appetite, and mood, with only minor side effects. The study involved over 2,000 patients using medical marijuana for cancer and non-cancer treatment.
Cannabis use for up to 20 years was associated with poorer periodontal health at age 38, while not linked to lung function, systemic inflammation, or metabolic health. Other analyses found cannabis users brushed and flossed less and were more likely to be dependent on alcohol.
A long-term study found that cannabis users had more gum disease, while tobacco smokers showed worse lung function and metabolic health. However, the researchers noted that heavy recreational cannabis use has some adverse consequences, but does not appear to cause significant damage to physical health.
A study of over 216,000 adolescents found a 24% decline in marijuana-related problems and a 10% decrease in marijuana use between 2002 and 2013. Behavioral problems also decreased, suggesting a link between early treatment and reduced substance abuse.
The Journal announces a new collaboration with IACM to increase published clinical research on clinical cannabis, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system. The partnership aims to further the science of clinical cannabis for potential therapeutic applications.
A growing body of evidence suggests that cannabinoids have therapeutic potential for treating various conditions, including Parkinson's disease and gastrointestinal illnesses. The development of new pain therapies is crucial due to demographic changes and increasing life expectancy, which will lead to more patients with chronic pain.
Canada's plan to legalize marijuana contravenes its obligations to the UN's international drug-control conventions. The Canadian government should seek a reservation or renegotiate treaties if possible, but may need to withdraw from them altogether to avoid undermining international law.
International research found a direct link between continued marijuana use during pregnancy and pre-term birth, with 6% of pre-term births potentially preventable. Marijuana use was independently associated with a five-fold increase in pre-term birth risk, regardless of other risk factors.