Articles tagged with Cannabis
A review estimates that 166 million adults worldwide aged 15-64 years used cannabis in 2006, despite the risks of its adverse effects on health. Regular cannabis smokers report more symptoms of chronic bronchitis and cognitive impairments, while cannabis use is associated with poor educational attainment.
The study found that teenage girls' attitudes toward smoking influenced their use of multiple substances, while boys were more likely to engage in poly-drug use if they perceived smoking as prevalent in their age group. Both boys and girls reported higher rates of poly-drug use when friends drank or smoked.
A population-based study found that initiating cholinesterase inhibitor therapy for dementia increases the risk of hospitalization for bradycardia by over doubling. Meanwhile, a separate team led by Louisa Degenhardt examines cannabis use as a risk factor for psychosis and proposes its inclusion in global burden of disease estimates.
University of Minnesota researchers identified genes producing THC, a psychoactive substance in marijuana, to create a drug-free Cannabis plant for hemp fiber and oil. The study also aims to develop new pain and nausea treatments.
Scientists discovered that endocannabinoids in the human body can disable brakes on pain signals, leading to prolonged chronic pain. In contrast, THC from cannabis may worsen toothaches, but could alleviate neuropathic pain.
A recent study found that the type 1 cannabinoid receptor is key to bone development and osteoporosis. Cannabis may reduce bone strength in young people but protect against osteoporosis in older age.
Researchers find marijuana smoke causes more cell damage and DNA harm than tobacco smoke, but doesn't cause chromosome damage. The study provides new insights into marijuana's potential health risks and challenges common perceptions about its relative safety.
A new study found that cannabis smoke damages DNA in ways that could potentially increase the risk of cancer development. The research, published in Chemical Research in Toxicology, used a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to detect damage.
A new study published in Clinical Nursing Research found that marijuana use is common among HIV/AIDS patients in the US to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and nausea. The study suggests that therapeutic marijuana use merits further consideration among policy makers, despite potential risks associated with its use.
A third of teens using cannabis regularly use it as a medication to relieve health problems such as depression, anxiety and sleep difficulties. The study found that cannabis provided immediate relief without the unpleasant side effects of prescribed medications.
Scientists discovered brain proteins bind to and activate THC receptors, similar to marijuana, sparking hope for new treatments for pain, appetite stimulation, and reduced marijuana abuse. The study may lead to effective drugs with fewer side effects.
Smoking both marijuana and tobacco significantly increases respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk. A study of 878 adults aged 40 or older found that those who smoked both substances were 2.5 times more likely to have respiratory symptoms and almost 3 times more likely to have COPD.
Patients with schizophrenia can correctly identify a 'hollow mask' illusion, which may be related to their brains disconnecting visual information from internal thoughts. The study also found that cannabis users are less deceived by the illusion, suggesting a possible link between THC and brain connectivity.
Researchers have identified a connection between daily cannabis consumption and the appearance of psychosis and schizophrenia in subjects with good premorbid performance. The study found that 66% of patients with normal neurodevelopment admitted to daily cannabis use, while 43% of those with abnormal neurodevelopment also used cannabis.
Researchers have identified a novel syndrome associated with chronic cannabis abuse, characterized by severe vomiting sickness. The syndrome was first recognized in Australia and is believed to be caused by years of marijuana use, leading to increased cases worldwide.
A new Université de Montréal study found that thrill-seeking young men are more likely to drive under the influence of cannabis and engage in reckless driving. The study, which analyzed data from 83 male participants, discovered that 30% of cannabis users reported at least one incidence of reckless driving in the previous 12 months.
A study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that frequent and/or long-term marijuana use is associated with a 70% increased risk of testicular cancer. The risk was particularly elevated among men who used marijuana at least weekly and/or had long-term exposure to the substance beginning in adolescence.
Adolescents and young adults who are heavy users of marijuana are more likely to have disrupted brain development, according to a new study. The researchers found abnormalities in areas of the brain involved in memory, attention, decision-making, language, and executive functioning skills.
A study of 93,297 15-year-olds across 31 countries found that those who frequently went out with friends were more likely to report using marijuana. The decline in marijuana use among adolescents may be attributed to a decrease in evenings spent out with friends.
A recent study found that long-term exposure to marijuana can negatively affect human male fertility by increasing anandamide levels. Additionally, two papers investigate the effects of delayed fatherhood in mice, revealing abnormalities in offspring's behavior and reproductive fitness.
Scientists found that a synthetic THC-like drug can improve memory in aging rats by reducing inflammation and stimulating the formation of new brain cells. The study suggests that a safe, legal substance mimicking marijuana's properties could help prevent or delay Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in Liver International found that Canadian liver transplant centres are more willing to consider patients who smoke marijuana, while US programmes say no, highlighting the need for evidence-based eligibility criteria.
Research finds that marijuana use during adolescence is associated with poorer performance on thinking tasks, including slower psychomotor speed and poorer complex attention, verbal memory, and planning ability. Chronic heavy use is linked to abnormal brain activation and impaired cognitive functioning even after a month of abstinence.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine conducted a double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of smoked medical cannabis on neuropathic pain in HIV patients. The study showed that reported pain relief was greater with cannabis than with a placebo.
A study by Emory University researchers found that black girls who use marijuana have significantly higher rates of incident STDs than non-users. Marijuana users also had more sex partners and riskier sex acts, including those with recently released jail partners.
Researchers are investigating new strategies for targeting the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in pain relief and treating conditions like obesity and nicotine addiction. These studies aim to develop new drugs that can selectively target cannabinoid receptors without causing psychoactive side effects.
A University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine study found that individuals with schizophrenia have lower levels of a key neurotransmitter GABA, which is impaired by the activation of the cannabinoid 1 receptor activated by marijuana. This impairment worsens cognitive symptoms and may lead to new drug targets for improved treatments.
Researchers discovered that the body produces substances similar to THC found in marijuana, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin. The findings suggest these endocannabinoids may lead to new treatments for skin disorders like acne and dry skin.
A survey of 17 countries found that 16.2% of US adults have used cocaine in their lifetime, with 42.4% using cannabis. The study suggests that drug use is not simply related to policy and that socioeconomic factors play a significant role.
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.
Research found that long-term cannabis users may have structural brain abnormalities, with the hippocampus and amygdala being affected. The study suggests heavy daily use of cannabis might be toxic to human brain tissue, highlighting the need for further research.
The UN's strategy on dealing with HIV and illicit drugs needs a complete overhaul, according to a Comment published in The Lancet. The authors argue that the International Narcotics Control Board undermines recognition of HIV prevention measures for those who use drugs.
A University of Alberta study found that middle-class Canadians use marijuana for relaxation and focus, challenging criminalization. The study suggests decriminalization and legalization could reduce crime and generate revenue.
A study has found a possible connection between long-term marijuana use and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Heavy marijuana users showed significant increases in apolipoprotein C-III levels, which may be related to the delayed breakdown of triglycerides.
A study found that young Europeans drink and take drugs as part of deliberate sexual strategies. A third of males and a quarter of females reported using substances like cocaine, ecstasy, or cannabis to enhance sexual arousal or prolong sex. However, these behaviors were linked to increased risk-taking and regretful experiences.
A new MIT study found that a class of anti-obesity drugs could interfere with neural development in young children by blocking brain receptors similar to those in marijuana. The research, conducted on mice, suggests caution when using these compounds in kids.
A University of Michigan researcher is conducting a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of Zoloft on anxiety patients. The study aims to determine if genetic variations can predict an individual's response to anti-anxiety medication.
A new study using rats found that THC combined with mildly intoxicating doses of alcohol induced widespread nerve cell death in the brain. The study also showed that THC enhanced the neurotoxic effect of other substances, including phenobarbital and MK-801.
A new study found that references to illegal drug use in rap music increased dramatically between 1979 and 1997, depicting marijuana as a positive activity. Rap music's shift towards glorifying drugs was linked to commercialization and social factors, distorting the reality of African American communities.
A new University of Washington study found that despite public health campaigns, many women continue to use substances like tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol during pregnancy, while their partners' use remains stable. Men's patterns of substance use are bleaker, with men typically not targeted by these campaigns.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a $4M grant to study the effects of chronic marijuana use on cognitive function, withdrawal symptoms, and stress systems. The research center aims to develop effective treatments for marijuana addiction by pooling expertise in tissue analysis, imaging, animal models, and human clinical tr...
Researchers identified distinct behavioral risk factors for head and neck cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) versus those not caused by HPV. HPV-positive cancers were linked to sexual behaviors and marijuana use, while HPV-negative cancers were associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene.
Research on 44,751 students from 1979-2004 shows that deviance-prone male youth are more likely to use marijuana when social acceptance is high. In contrast, deviance-prone female teens consistently use marijuana regardless of national trends, suggesting a lack of response to social pressures.
A small study has found that marijuana use does not significantly increase the risk of head and neck cancer. The relative risk was the same as in non-users, unlike smoking cigarettes and heavy alcohol consumption, which were linked to increased cancer risks. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that smoking marijuana can have a harmful effect on cognitive skills in people with multiple sclerosis. The study also showed a significant association between marijuana use and emotional problems such as depression and anxiety.
A recent study has found that heavy marijuana use is associated with an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. The study, which tracked over 900 individuals, found that frequent cannabis use since age 18 was linked to more than one-third of new cases of gum disease between ages 26 and 32.
Heavy cannabis users, especially those who smoke it almost weekly, are at higher risk of mild and severe gum disease. The study suggests that reducing cannabis use may also help reduce the prevalence of gum disease.
Regular marijuana use in young adulthood is associated with a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, according to the study. Cannabis exposure groups showed significant increases in periodontal attachment loss and new attachment loss compared to non-users.
Patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who use cannabis daily are at higher risk of moderate to severe liver fibrosis. Cannabis use combined with heavy alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of liver damage. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends avoiding cannabis use in patients with HCV.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine finds that marijuana withdrawal is similar to tobacco withdrawal, with common symptoms like irritability and trouble sleeping. The research suggests that clinicians treating marijuana addiction should consider these effects in their practice.
A survey of 17- to 29-year-old university students found that users believed cannabis would help them fit in, feel relaxed, and forget their worries. Non-users cited work and study as strong reasons for not using cannabis.
A Swiss study finds that teens using only cannabis tend to be male, socially driven, and have fewer psychosocial issues compared to those who use tobacco or neither substance. They also report better academic performance, relationships with friends, and sports participation.
UK government's focus on cannabis reclassification may divert attention from more pressing health concerns. Experts argue that increasing penalties have limited impact on cannabis use and harm, highlighting the need for better public communication about the risks of substance abuse.
A study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, found that smoked cannabis eased pain induced in healthy volunteers. The results suggest a therapeutic window for cannabis analgesia, with moderate pain relief observed at a medium dose of 4% THC.
Detailed statistics show that 82% of parents accurately evaluated cigarette smoking, 86% accurately reported alcohol use, and 86% accurately reported marijuana use. However, only 72% accurately reported illicit drug use. Parents can use this knowledge to help themselves cope with teenage substance use.
A new study found that a synthetic form of THC increases serotonin levels in the brain at low doses, acting as an effective anti-depressant. However, at higher doses, the effect reverses and can worsen depression and psychosis.
The endocannabinoid system has been found to be involved in various physiological processes, including neuroprotection, anxiety, depression, cancer development, vasodilatation, and bone formation. Research suggests that endocannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for diseases such as hepatic encephalopathy.
Researchers found African Americans experiencing racial discrimination more likely to report current tobacco use, recent alcohol consumption, and lifetime use of marijuana and cocaine. This association was also seen in Whites, suggesting that substance use may be an unhealthy coping response to perceived unfair treatment.
Research found that administering cannabinoids like THC reduces allergic reactions in mice with contact dermatitis. The study suggests a protective role for the endocannabinoid system in skin allergy and potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers found that low doses of THC can facilitate infection of skin cells and promote cellular events leading to malignancy, raising concerns for those with lowered immune systems. The study emphasizes the need for caution when using marijuana medicinally or recreationally among vulnerable populations.