Articles tagged with Cannabis
A new method developed by researchers could help diagnose and treat thousands of young adults and teens who end up in emergency rooms after taking synthetic marijuana. The study found significant differences in how individuals' bodies process the drugs, which could explain why some people experience more severe effects.
The global supply of illicit drugs has likely not been reduced in the past two decades, with street prices falling and purity/potency increasing. This study analyzed data from seven international surveillance systems to conclude that law enforcement efforts are failing to curb supply and contribute to violence and public health issues.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine studied 589 adults and found no association between marijuana frequency and health status, healthcare utilization, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or medical diagnoses.
Researchers at the University of Montreal found that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with increased risk of addiction and mental health problems. The study suggests that specific genetic and behavioral factors influence an individual's likelihood of developing a dependence on cannabis.
A study of 12,000 young Swiss men found that those who consume addictive substances like alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis are more likely to seek information on these topics. Despite this, prevention campaigns may not be effective due to the complexity of individual knowledge and behaviors.
Researchers found that marijuana use in adolescence can lead to impaired cognitive abilities and abnormal brain activity, persisting into adulthood. The study suggests a critical period of development during adolescence where marijuana exposure can have lasting effects on brain function and cognition.
A study published in International Journal of Drug Policy found a significant increase in cannabis psychosis hospital admissions following cannabis reclassification in 2009. The study challenges the government's claim that stronger forms of cannabis cause mental health problems.
A 5-year study at Drexel University's School of Public Health aims to investigate the impact of medical marijuana on young adults' physical and psychological health. The study, funded by a $3.3 million NIH grant, will recruit 380 participants and explore the effects of dispensaries on health outcomes.
Researchers found lower dopamine levels in long-term cannabis users compared to non-users, suggesting a possible link between cannabis use and motivation issues. The study also suggests that cannabis use may be the cause of altered dopamine systems, which could explain increased risk of mental illnesses like schizophrenia.
A recent study by the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station reveals that female fishers living near areas with high concentrations of illegal marijuana sites have higher exposure to rodenticides and lower survival rates. The study's findings underscore the urgent need for regulating pesticide use in these areas.
A new study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found a significant increase in unintentional ingestions of marijuana by children since Colorado's drug laws modification in 2009. The number of children treated for exposure to marijuana increased from zero before 2009 to 588 after October 1, 2009.
A study found an increase in unintentional marijuana ingestions among children following Colorado's new drug laws, with most cases involving medical marijuana products. The authors recommend public health interventions and increased awareness among healthcare providers to mitigate this issue.
Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that college students who use both tobacco and marijuana smoke more cigarettes per month than users of tobacco only. The study also found that concurrent marijuana and tobacco use is associated with increased risk of smoking more tobacco.
Researchers from CAMH found that people with mental illnesses are more than seven times more likely to use cannabis weekly compared to those without a mental illness. The study also shows that individuals with mental illness were 10 times more likely to have a cannabis use disorder.
A new University of Iowa study suggests that deployment of a parent puts children at an increased risk for drinking alcohol and using drugs. The study found a three-to-four-fold increase in binge drinking among children of deployed or recently returned military parents compared to non-military families.
Research reveals that marijuana use among Russian HIV-infected individuals with risky drinking habits is associated with increased sharing of needles, multiple sexual partners, and unprotected sex. This finding may help clinicians identify those at higher risk of transmitting HIV.
A cross-sectional study found that around 1 in 10 young teens with mental health issues also drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and use cannabis on a weekly basis. The prevalence of this pattern of substance use increases with age and is linked to poorer mental and physical health outcomes.
Two articles debate causal link between cannabis and psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia. David Castle argues for a causal link, while Suzanne Gage et al suggest stronger evidence is needed.
A brain imaging study found that THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, reduces the emotional reaction to pain but does not reduce the intensity of pain. The study suggests that individual responses to cannabis-based pain relief may vary greatly.
The Monitoring the Future survey reveals that 6.5% of high school seniors smoke marijuana daily, while perception of marijuana's harmfulness is down among teens, signaling future increases in use. Long-term NIH-funded study shows a significant drop in IQ between ages 13-38 for those who used cannabis heavily in their teens.
Longitudinal study of adolescents with heavy substance use histories found reduced white-matter integrity compared to those who abstained. This compromise may impair cognitive processing, memory, attention, and decision-making.
A recent review of cannabis extract, Sativex, found limited trial data and a lack of comparison to other treatments, casting doubt on its effectiveness for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. The review also highlighted the high cost of Sativex compared to other MS medications.
A study of 16,882 adolescents and young adults found binge eating associated with incident overweight/obesity, worsening depressive symptoms, and onset of marijuana and other drug use. Overeating without loss of control was linked to marijuana use but not frequent binge drinking.
Researchers found that students with high levels of family social capital and low levels of school social capital were less likely to have used marijuana or alcohol. This suggests that parental involvement is crucial in shaping children's decisions about substance use.
A recent CAMH Monitor survey found that 9% of young adults in Ontario drive after using cannabis, compared to 6% who drive after drinking. The survey also revealed declining rates of non-medical opioid use and increasing concerns around mental health.
Researchers found that cannabis users with schizophrenia have higher brain activity and correct answers than those without prior cannabis use. The study suggests that cannabis use can imitate the cognitive weakness leading to schizophrenia in non-psychotic individuals.
Researchers report on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CH), a little-known but costly effect of marijuana use, characterized by cyclic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. CH can lead to expensive diagnostic tests and ineffective treatments, with some patients requiring multiple hospital visits and costing up to $30,000 in workups.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that certain cannabis withdrawal symptoms are more strongly associated with relapse than others. Participants experiencing physical tension, sleep problems, and anxiety were more likely to relapse during the abstinence period and consumed more cannabis afterwards.
Researchers at UCI found compounds that inhibit enzymes blocking endocannabinoid transmitters, which can help correct behavioral issues related to fragile X syndrome. The study suggests a new approach for treating anxiety and cognitive defects in people with the condition.
A new study found a potential link between recreational marijuana use and an increased risk of developing subtypes of testicular cancer. The research suggests that marijuana may trigger carcinogenesis in the testis through the endocannabinoid system.
A longitudinal study of over 1,000 New Zealanders found that persistent cannabis use before age 18 led to significant declines in IQ, attention, and memory. The study suggests that adolescence is a critical period for brain development and vulnerability to substance-induced harm.
Research warns that highly potent marijuana and synthetic marijuana pose a real threat to pregnant women's unborn children. These substances contain high levels of THC, which can interfere with brain development as early as two weeks after conception.
A recent study by University of Colorado researchers found that 73.8% of adolescents in substance abuse treatment used medical marijuana recommended to someone else. Regular use of medical marijuana began at a younger age among these patients, and they had more severe symptoms of marijuana abuse and conduct disorder.
Research in rural British Columbia found that nearly two percent of teens have traded sex for substances like marijuana or other drugs. The study also discovered that trading sex was associated with higher rates of binge drinking among students.
A study by The Miriam Hospital's Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine found that nearly a quarter of first-year college women try hookah smoking for the first time during their freshman year. Alcohol consumption is linked to an increased likelihood of hookah initiation, while marijuana use predicts frequency of use.
A large international study found that marijuana use during pregnancy more than doubles the risk of premature birth. The study identified strong family history, pre-eclampsia, vaginal bleeds, and diabetes as major risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth.
Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan have discovered the chemical pathway used by cannabis to produce bioactive compounds called cannabinoids. This breakthrough could lead to the development of marijuana varieties for pharmaceutical use or cannabinoid-free industrial hemp.
Researchers discovered commercial rodenticide in dead fishers in Humboldt County and Yosemite National Park, linked to illegal marijuana farms. The poison, anticoagulant rodenticides, can cause uncontrollable bleeding and is toxic even after a single ingestion.
A new study found no correlation between medical marijuana dispensaries and higher crime rates in Sacramento neighborhoods, challenging growing concerns about the impact of dispensaries on crime. The study looked at violent and property crime rates in 95 areas with varying density of medical marijuana outlets.
A randomized controlled trial found smoked cannabis to be effective in reducing spasticity and pain in people with treatment-resistant multiple sclerosis. However, the study also showed that smoking cannabis was associated with acute cognitive impairments.
A clinical study at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that smoked cannabis reduced symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including improved spasticity and pain. However, the study also reported short-term adverse cognitive effects and increased fatigue.
Researchers found gabapentin significantly reduces cannabis use and withdrawal symptoms, improving cognitive skills. The study suggests gabapentin could become first FDA-approved treatment for cannabis dependence.
A recent survey conducted by UCSF researchers found that half of young adult tobacco smokers also use marijuana, with usage highest among Caucasians and rural residents. The study suggests that smoking cessation programs should take into account the effect of marijuana use in their treatment plans.
An online survey of over 3,500 young adults aged 18-25 found that half had smoked cannabis in the past 30 days, with co-use of tobacco and marijuana highest among Caucasians and daily smokers. The study suggests that 'stop smoking' campaigns should factor in cannabis use to their treatment plans.
A recent study found that illicit drug use among 50- to 64-year-olds in England has significantly increased, with lifetime cannabis use rising from 1.0% in 1993 to 11.4% in 2007. Recent cannabis use also showed a substantial increase. Other illicit drugs used were less common.
A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking found that online gamblers reported more frequent and problematic drinking and cannabis use compared to offline-only gamblers. The research suggests that online gambling may be associated with increased risks of substance-related behaviors.
Researchers at UCI found that blocking an endocannabinoid compound called 2-AG boosts fat burning and leads to weight loss in mice. The study suggests that this natural chemical plays a critical role in energy metabolism, and blocking its production may lead to new treatments for obesity.
Researchers found that bullies and bully-victims were more likely to use substances than victims and non-involved youth. The study suggests a relationship between substance use and bullying behavior, particularly among middle school students.
Researchers found no association between intrauterine cocaine or marijuana exposure and lower academic achievement scores. However, children exposed to low levels of alcohol showed decreased scores in math reasoning and spelling, even after controlling for other factors. These findings suggest that children with histories of low-level ...
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which cannabinoids in cannabis affect working memory, involving decreased neural connections in the hippocampus. Cannabinoid receptors, particularly those in astroglial cells, modulate synaptic plasticity and impair spatial working memory.
Researchers found that marijuana's psychoactive ingredient THC impairs working memory independently of its effects on neurons. The study suggests that astroglia play an unexpected role in memory and may hold the key to developing treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that occasional marijuana use is not associated with long-term loss of lung function. Marijuana smoke was shown to increase lung air flow rates and capacity, but only up to moderately high levels of use.
A study of 5,115 participants found that occasional marijuana use was not associated with adverse effects on lung function. Higher FVC and FEV1 were observed in those with higher lifetime exposure to marijuana.
Research has found an association between marijuana use in young males and the development of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS), which shares clinical features with functional vomiting. CVS is more common among young males using marijuana, highlighting the need for further research into treatment options for this condition.
A study found that marijuana ingredients Δ9-THC and CBD affect different regions of the brain during visual processing tasks. Δ9-THC increased psychotic symptoms by modulating prefrontal and striatal function, while CBD enhanced response to salient stimuli.
Teenage cigarette and alcohol use has declined to its lowest point since the survey began in 1975, with 18.7% of 12th-graders reporting current cigarette use. However, alternate tobacco products, marijuana, and prescription drug abuse continue to be concerns, with high rates of abuse reported among teens.
A recent UCSF study suggests that combining cannabinoids with opiates may lead to greater pain relief for chronic pain patients. The study found that patients who received both treatments experienced significant reductions in pain scores, with some showing a 33% decrease in morphine use.
The 2011 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey reveals declining teen smoking rates, with 9% of students smoking cigarettes compared to 12% in 2009. Binge drinking and driving after cannabis use remain concerns, with 22% of teens reporting hazardous drinking behaviors and 16% being drunk or high at school.
Research found a strong link between high childhood IQ and subsequent illicit drug use, particularly among women. High IQ scores at age 5 or 10 were associated with increased use of cannabis, cocaine, and other drugs by age 30.
A Wayne State University researcher is conducting studies to understand the differences in marijuana use among three subgroups of HIV-positive patients. The goal is to address knowledge gaps and inform decision-making at a state level, potentially guiding treatment and policy.