Articles tagged with Cannabis
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.
A new study found that one in six infants and toddlers admitted to a Colorado hospital with bronchiolitis tested positive for marijuana exposure. Non-white children were more likely to be exposed than white children, suggesting secondhand marijuana smoke may pose a child health risk as marijuana use becomes more widespread.
A new study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2016 Meeting found that teens in Washington State reported no increase in ease of accessing marijuana after its recreational use was legalized for adults. Despite this, adolescents reported increased difficulty in accessing other illicit substances.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that heavy cannabis users have lower dopamine release in the brain's striatum, a region involved in working memory and attention. This effect is similar to other addictive substances and may impair learning and behavior.
Research links cannabis use during pregnancy to increased risk of low birthweight and need for intensive care. Infants exposed to cannabis in the womb are 77% more likely to be underweight at birth.
A genome-wide association study found that specific genetic variants contribute to cannabis dependence, potentially overlapping with other psychiatric conditions. The study also suggests a risk component for cannabis dependence in relation to other substance use disorders.
A study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that young adult marijuana users react differently to social exclusion, with reduced activation in the insula region. The findings suggest that marijuana users may be less conscious of social norms or have reduced ability to reflect on negative social situations.
A long-term study found that regular cannabis users experienced downward social mobility, financial difficulties, and relationship problems. The research suggests that cannabis may not be 'safer' than alcohol for economic and social well-being.
A new study found that treating withdrawal symptoms can help cannabis users quit, with 85% of participants relapsing within 16 days. The study also showed that people who experienced withdrawal symptoms had difficulty staying abstinent, highlighting the need for immediate treatment.
A recent study found that 2.5% of adults experienced marijuana use disorder in the past year, with 6.3% having met the diagnostic criteria at some point in their lives. Only 7% of those with past-year disorder received any treatment.
Researchers have developed a new method to precisely measure cannabis compounds in gummy bears, chocolates, and other foods made with marijuana. This technique could help ensure product safety in the rapidly expanding cannabis retail market.
Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus are conducting a study to detect prenatal marijuana use and its association with adverse outcomes, such as fetal growth restriction and hypertension. The study aims to develop a survey tool for new mothers to provide accurate information on marijuana use during pregnancy.
A study by Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that medical marijuana programs with less regulation had higher enrollment rates, raising concerns about potential recreational users. The analysis of state-specific characteristics highlights the need for policymakers to differentiate among programs to interpret the effects of...
A study of 2026 individuals with a first episode of psychosis found that cannabis use was associated with a 50% increased risk of hospital admissions, including compulsory detention. Cannabis use was also linked to higher numbers of antipsychotic prescriptions, suggesting treatment failure.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that cannabis users have difficulty recognizing and empathizing with human emotions like happiness, sadness, and anger. However, the brain may be able to compensate for these effects when explicitly detecting emotions.
Researchers at Sam Houston State University developed a test to individualize marijuana samples using DNA analysis, linking drugs across cases. Pine pollen has also been found to be a viable source of DNA for criminal investigations, persisting on clothing for up to two weeks and helping link suspects or victims to locations.
A study by Northwestern University found that out-of-state visitors to Colorado's marijuana dispensaries are increasingly visiting the emergency room, with a 109% increase in 2014 compared to 2012. Adverse side effects of cannabis use include anxiety, hallucinations, and cardiovascular issues.
A study of 34,653 US adults found that marijuana use was associated with an increased risk of developing alcohol and drug use disorders, including nicotine dependence, over a three-year period. However, the study did not find a link between marijuana use and mood or anxiety disorders.
A recent study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that adults who use marijuana are five times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder compared to those who do not. The study also suggests that marijuana use can increase the likelihood of existing alcohol use disorders persisting over time.
Researchers have found a link between the AKT1 gene and psychotic-like symptoms in young people who use cannabis. The study suggests that individuals with this gene variant are more susceptible to the mind-altering effects of smoking cannabis, even if they are otherwise healthy.
Research suggests that starting age of marijuana use can impact brain structures responsible for judgment, reasoning, and complex thinking. Heavy marijuana users who began using before age 16 showed arrested brain development, while those who started after 16 demonstrated accelerated brain aging.
A new study found that marijuana use among US adults increased by about 20% over the last decade, but problems related to the drug remained steady. The study's findings contradict previous reports of a doubling in marijuana use and its associated disorders.
According to a review in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, new marijuana laws have led to an increase in marijuana use among adults but not teens, with some evidence of harmful effects. The potency of marijuana is also increasing, leading to more drivers testing positive for it.
A study of over 3,400 participants found that long-term marijuana use was associated with poorer verbal memory, but not other areas of cognitive function. The study suggests that young adults may be skeptical about the risks of marijuana use and highlights the need for effective health advice.
A roundtable discussion explores the addictive potential of cannabis, its symptoms, risks, and health consequences. The discussion also examines current research efforts to identify effective treatments for cannabis addiction and ongoing clinical trials testing investigational agents.
A RAND Corporation study found that medical marijuana users are more likely to vaporize or consume edible forms of the drug compared to recreational users. Additionally, medical users tend to report daily or near-daily use and consume more cannabis per day.
A recent French study found that a drug tested on paid volunteers resulted in one death and five hospitalizations but did not contain cannabis or cannabinoids. The drug, an FAAH inhibitor, may have interacted with another protein responsible for the toxicity.
A Johns Hopkins study found that changes in medical marijuana laws, particularly the increase of dispensaries in some states, led to a shift in the number of people using the drug. Medical marijuana users are more likely to be in their 50s and often use it for pain relief.
A new randomized controlled trial at Brown University found that combining the drug topiramate with psychological counseling significantly reduced marijuana use among young smokers. However, many participants struggled with the medication's side effects, leading to dropout rates of 60%. The study suggests that medications can help redu...
A University of Washington study analyzed over 750 studies on marijuana and alcohol use, finding that legalization policies may lead to both substitution and complementary effects. The research highlights the difficulties in gauging the impact of a formerly illicit drug as it moves into the mainstream.
A survey of glaucoma patients in Washington, D.C. found that perceptions of marijuana legality and false beliefs about its value were associated with intentions to use it as a treatment. The study suggests a need for education on the topic to protect patients against increased acceptability based on misconceptions.
The 2015 Monitoring the Future survey found decreasing use of illicit drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids and heroin, among teens. Marijuana use remained stable, but perception of its harms continued to decline. Prescription opioid abuse and tobacco product use also decreased, while e-cigarette use remained a concern.
Researchers found that psychological interventions targeting sensation seeking and reward sensitivity can delay first-time cannabis use in teens. The study suggests these interventions may help reduce cannabis use, particularly among youth who perceive it as low risk.
According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) survey, Ontario students reported high levels of hazardous drinking, with 29% of 12th graders engaging in hazardous drinking. The survey also found that more students used electronic cigarettes than tobacco cigarettes.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry suggests that cannabis use is associated with increased neural noise in healthy human subjects. The researchers found that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active constituent of cannabis, induces psychosis-like effects by increasing random brain activity.
The US hemp industry is expected to grow as the country's demand for healthful foods increases, thanks to the nutritional profile of hemp. The crop contains all nine essential amino acids, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, and has been shown to have potential health benefits.
A recent study by King's College London and Sapienza University of Rome found that frequent use of high potency 'skunk-like' cannabis can cause damage to the white matter in the brain. White matter consists of large bundles of nerve cell projections, enabling communication between different regions of the brain.
Research found that prenatal exposure to marijuana improves a child's ability to track moving objects, while alcohol has a negative effect on visual processing. The study suggests that health professionals can counteract the negative effects of drug use in pregnancy.
The concentration of THC in Danish cannabis has tripled over 20 years, reaching an average of 28% per cent in recent samples. This significant increase is attributed to the growing trend of skunk farms in Denmark, which provide high-quality cannabis plants with elevated THC levels.
A large national survey found nearly 10% of Americans have lifetime drug use disorder diagnoses, resulting in significant impairment and comorbidities. The study also highlights the importance of treatment, with only 24.6% of those with lifetime diagnoses receiving treatment.
A study of Colorado local government officials found that public opinion (95.5%) and tax revenues (50%) were significant factors in their decisions to permit recreational marijuana use. Existing medical marijuana policies also played a role in shaping these decisions.
Researchers identified a genetic variant in the endocannabinoid system that may protect individuals from marijuana dependence after experiencing childhood sexual abuse. The study found that a specific allele of the monoacylglycerol lipase gene, known as rs604300, was associated with an increased risk of cannabis dependence symptoms.
A new review found scant scientific evidence supporting cannabinoid use in rheumatic diseases, citing only four small studies with limited information. Rheumatologists cannot recommend cannabinoids as a therapeutic option due to high side effects and limited long-term efficacy data.
A new MSU study analyzed historical data from India to find reliable economic information on drug use. It shows that users switch between opium and cannabis when the price of one goes up, a phenomenon called substitution. This finding has significant policy implications for tackling addiction.
A study published in PLOS One reveals that fishers in California are being poisoned by rat poisons used on illegal marijuana farms, leading to a 233% increase in poisoning-related deaths. The toxicants are particularly deadly for male fishers, which are five times more likely to die from poisoning than predation compared to females.
The O'Neill Institute and WOLA are developing guidelines for public health approaches to legalizing marijuana, drawing from research and experience in regulating other products like tobacco and alcohol. The project aims to minimize public health harms and maximize benefits, with a focus on expert input from the public health community.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 167 fisher deaths were attributed to rat poisoning from illegal marijuana grows, with exposure rates rising by 6% between 2012 and 2014. The poison, often used as bait, has been linked to 10% of fisher deaths and affects the animals' ability to recycle vitamin K.
A new urine screening method can detect even small amounts of chemicals resulting from secondhand marijuana exposure, addressing the challenge of assessing health effects. The developed method is 10 to 100 times more sensitive than current tests and could be used for large-scale population studies.