Articles tagged with Cannabis
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.
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.
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.
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.
Research found that cannabis smoking damages lungs, reducing fine airways and blocking large airways. The extent of damage is linked to the number of joints smoked, with higher consumption resulting in greater incapacity.
A meta-analysis of 35 studies found that cannabis use is associated with a 41% increased risk of psychosis, with the most frequent users more than twice as likely to develop a psychotic outcome. The study suggests that governments should invest in education campaigns to warn young people about the risks of cannabis use.
A new study by University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions found a strong correlation between malt liquor consumption and marijuana use. Young adults who drink malt liquor are more likely to develop alcohol problems and use illicit drugs.
Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are working on a way to determine whether marijuana was grown indoors or outdoors by analyzing the stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The method has potential to help police track down growing operations and match seized samples with known locations.
A study of over 3,500 French children found that 1.2% used performance-enhancing drugs at 11, increasing to 3% by 15. The most commonly used drug was salbutamol, with health problems and low self-esteem linked to its use. The study highlights the need for adults to monitor young athletes' behavior and address signs of distress.
Endogenous cannabinoids play a crucial role in establishing nerve cell connections, which may be impaired by maternal cannabis use. This discovery bolsters knowledge of normal brain development and sheds light on potential cognitive deficits in offspring.
A recent study found that marijuana smoking increases the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among current cigarette smokers, particularly those over 40. The study also revealed that adding marijuana smoking to cigarette smoking boosts the odds of respiratory symptoms by a significant margin.
A smokeless cannabis-vaporizing device delivers the same level of active therapeutic chemical and produces the same biological effect as smoking cannabis, but without the harmful toxins. The study found that vaporization produced comparable levels of THC with minimal exposure to combustion-generated toxins.
A new study by Yale University researchers found a link between long-term marijuana smoking and respiratory complications, including obstructive lung disease. The study's findings suggest that patients should be advised of the potential negative impact on overall lung health despite methodological limitations.
In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, patients smoking cannabis experienced a 34 percent reduction in intense foot pain associated with HIV—twice the rate experienced by patients who smoked placebo. This study provides evidence for the therapeutic value of cannabis in managing HIV-associated sensory neuropathy.
A study published in Neurology found that smoking marijuana reduced nerve pain in people with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy by 34%, compared to 17% for those who received a placebo. The study also showed significant relief from chronic pain, with an average reduction of 72%.
Adolescents who use substances alone are more likely to have health and behavioral problems as young adults than their peers who consume substances in social settings. Solitary users tend to report poorer physical health by age 23, lower grades, and less engagement with school.
A 12-year study by University of Pittsburgh researchers suggests that marijuana use at a young age is not a predictor of substance abuse. Instead, environmental factors such as neighborhood exposure and parental involvement play a stronger role in determining drug use patterns.
Researchers found that marijuana-like compounds improved memory and reduced inflammation in older rats, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease. The study used synthetic compounds similar to marijuana to treat young and old rats, with the most notable improvement seen in older rats.
Researchers found that blunt smokers associate clinical symptoms with nicotine rather than marijuana dependence. The study of 92 blunts users in New York City suggests tobacco's presence may foster dependence on blunts.
A new study from the University of Washington found that children of smokers are more likely to smoke, binge drink or use marijuana in adolescence and adulthood. The study also discovered a link between substance use by parents and their children's behavior problems, with a transmission link observed across generations.
A study reveals that marijuana arrests shifted from rich areas to poor black and Hispanic neighborhoods in NYC between 1992 and 2003. The authors suggest issuing desk appearance tickets or asking smokers to stop instead of arresting individuals.
A new study in mice reveals that marijuana use at conception and early pregnancy can cause embryos to fail to reach the uterus, resulting in early pregnancy failure. The study found that THC, a major psychoactive component of marijuana, disrupts anandamide signaling, leading to impaired fertility and ectopic pregnancies.
Researchers found that early pubertal boys and girls were more likely to engage in abnormal eating behaviors and experience anxiety as young adults. The association suggests long-lasting changes in brain circuitry during early puberty, influencing behavior and cognitive functions.
A recent study by the American Thoracic Society found that marijuana smoking does not increase the risk of lung cancer or head and neck cancers. Heavy marijuana users, who smoked over 22,000 joints, did not have an increased risk of developing cancer.
A recent study using diffusion tensor imaging found no significant differences in brain integrity and volume between cannabis smokers and non-smokers. The findings suggest that moderate cannabis use may not have a direct impact on brain structure and integrity, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
A new study by the University of Queensland research has found a link between cannabis use and marital changes in children up to age 21. Children who experienced more frequent changes in their parents' marital status were more likely to report cannabis use, with almost half having used cannabis at some point.
A new DNA 'fingerprinting' technique separates hemp from marijuana by analyzing genetic markers. This method has the potential to distinguish marijuana varieties and aid in establishing origins of seized drugs, with implications for drug distribution networks and criminal defenses.
Frequent marijuana use leads to deteriorated cognitive functions, particularly in remembering new information. Long-term users showed significant impairment in cognitive abilities compared to non-users, with more severe decline over time.
A study examining drug use surveys found significant differences in how willing respondents were to disclose their use, particularly for marijuana and cocaine. The researchers suggest supplementing major surveys with drug tests to estimate willingness-to-disclose and its variation across different drugs and demographic characteristics.
A new anti-drug program, 'Be Under Your Own Influence,' has shown phenomenal success in reducing marijuana and alcohol use among teens. The campaign's focus on positive themes, such as independence and self-control, resulted in a significant decrease in substance use compared to schools without the program.