Articles tagged with Cannabis
A randomized controlled trial in Switzerland found that legal access to cannabis decreases problematic consumption, especially among individuals using other substances. After two years, participants showed significant improvements in mental state.
A new study found that cannabis-related hospital visits increased by 20% in Arizona between 2016 and 2021, with nearly eight times more patients having a primary diagnosis of a mental health disorder. The study suggests easier access to cannabis may be partly responsible for the trend.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that prenatal cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The research also suggests a potential link between cannabis use during pregnancy and smaller-than-average newborns.
A systematic review found a moderate risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death associated with cannabis use during pregnancy. Researchers recommend reducing cannabis use as a harm-reduction approach to mitigate risks.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found that high cannabis use is associated with increased mortality in colon cancer patients. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients and found a significant link between heavy cannabis use and reduced survival rates.
A serial cross-sectional study found that legalization of cannabis edibles and extracts was associated with an increase in edible cannabis use, cannabis smoking, and overall cannabis use among adolescents. The study highlights the need for stricter policy measures to curb adolescents' access to cannabis edibles and extracts.
A new study found that individuals with hospital visits due to cannabis use were at a 23% and 72% greater risk of new dementia diagnoses within five years compared to those with ED visits or the general population. The study included 6 million adults aged 45 and older from Ontario, Canada.
A recent study found that people who use cannabis while drinking alcohol may experience fewer negative effects, potentially fueling more drinking. The study examined 6,334 data entries and found that participants perceived fewer negative impacts when using cannabis simultaneously with alcohol.
Researchers found individuals with cannabis use disorder exhibit increased dopamine levels in the brain, a key factor in psychosis. This study suggests that regular cannabis use is linked to signs of increased dopamine activity.
Researchers have found that people with cannabis use disorder have elevated dopamine levels in a brain region associated with psychosis. This could explain why frequent cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions. The study's findings may help doctors educate patients about the potential risks of frequent cannabis u...
Dr. Romina Mizrahi's PET-based neuroimaging sheds light on brain workings, integrating genetics, environment and imaging to understand psychiatric illness as a complex biological puzzle. She advocates for precision psychiatry paradigm with customized treatments based on molecular profiles, and calls for diversity in academic leadership.
The American College of Physicians issues Best Practice Advice for managing chronic noncancer pain with cannabis or cannabinoids. For most patients, common treatments should be recommended first due to limited evidence and known harms associated with cannabis and cannabinoid products.
A new pilot study found that medically supervised cannabis use helped manage pain, anxiety, and sleep issues in people recovering from substance use challenges. Participants reported reduced cravings and improved mental health and sleep quality.
Patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia showed long-term improvements in overall health-related quality of life, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. The study, which recruited over 2,300 participants, also found improvements in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and pain for those with corresponding conditions.
Between 2015-2020, 893,430 pregnant women were identified with a cannabis use disorder diagnosis, resulting in 1,058,448 total pregnancies. The cumulative prevalence of CUD diagnosis was 0.26%. Clinicians are well-positioned to intervene but may lack structural support due to fear of legal repercussions and underestimated diagnoses.
Recent studies published in Behavioral Medicine and Alcohol explore the link between pain and substance use among emerging adults. Individuals with moderate to severe pain are more likely to start using cannabis over a four-year period, often taking it up earlier, and are also at higher risk of mixing it with alcohol.
A study by the University of the Basque Country has detected potential biomarkers in the blood that could help predict the risk of developing schizophrenia due to cannabis use. The researchers found significant differences in fatty acid content between cannabis users, individuals with schizophrenia, and those with dual diagnoses.
A recent study by Arizona State University researchers found high levels of Fusarium mycotoxins in illicit cannabis samples seized in Arizona and California, posing potential health risks to consumers. The study highlights the unregulated nature of black-market cannabis and the need for further research into its health impacts.
Scientists at the University of South Australia have developed a phospholipid complex to improve cannabidiol's effectiveness in treating epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The new formula increases cannabidiol's solubility by up to six times and improves its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.
Two new studies have found a substantial link between cannabis use and an increased risk of heart attack. The studies, one retrospective and one meta-analysis, pooled data from over 4.6 million people, showing that cannabis users under the age of 50 were six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-users.
Research at the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that certain terpenes in Cannabis sativa are effective at relieving post-surgical and fibromyalgia pain in preclinical models. Terpenes have been shown to provide significant pain relief in mouse models, with geraniol providing the most significant level of pain relief.
Researchers developed a custom-designed compound that mimics natural cannabis molecules to alleviate chronic pain without psychoactive side effects. The modified synthetic cannabinoid compound showed promise as a nonaddictive pain reliever, offering prolonged relief and minimizing tolerance.
A recent study published in Psychiatry Research found that children exposed to their mother's cannabis use during pregnancy and after birth are three times more likely to develop behavioural problems. The research analysed data from over 222,600 Australian mothers and children, revealing a significant increase in the risk of childhood ...
Oregon Health & Science University researchers found that maternal THC consumption can decrease lung volume in developing fetuses and alter lung gene expression. This study is the first to examine the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on offspring respiratory health, raising concerns for potential long-term impacts.
A study by Columbia University found that unlicensed dispensaries in New York City often lack effective age verification processes, allowing youth access to high-potency cannabis. Licensed retailers, on the other hand, were more likely to follow state regulations and post certificates of analysis for their products.
A recent study published in CANCER found that pain is associated with a greater likelihood of tobacco and cannabis use among cancer survivors. Pain also exacerbates treatment-related side effects and worsens health outcomes.
Residents of Ontario with cannabis use disorder had a significantly higher risk of death compared to the general population. The findings highlight the importance of addressing cannabis use disorders, especially as global trends toward cannabis legalization continue.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that mandatory warning signs at cannabis dispensaries may not be effective in deterring pregnant users. In fact, many participants reported distrust towards the content of the warnings, viewing them as stigmatizing or negative. The researchers interviewed 34 ...
Researchers have discovered how a CBD compound can bind to cannabinoid receptors, mitigating the negative effects of THC on pain management while preserving its benefits. The study opens new avenues for harnessing THC's beneficial effects with reduced side effects.
A new study from McMaster University reveals that oral cannabis use during pregnancy can disrupt fetal growth, nutrient delivery, and development of the placenta. The research also found potential long-term consequences on offspring behavior and learning ability.
A new study found that cannabis use disorder is increasingly associated with new schizophrenia cases in Ontario, with the proportion rising from 4% to 10%. The trend has tripled over the past 17 years, with heavy cannabis use linked to worsening symptoms and increased risk of psychosis.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that heavy cannabis users exhibited reduced brain activity during working memory tasks, associated with worse performance. Abstaining from cannabis before cognitive tasks may help improve performance.
A study of young adults found that heavy lifetime cannabis use is associated with negative outcomes on working memory tasks. These findings suggest potential long-lasting effects of cannabis use on brain function.
Researchers found that households with reported in-home cannabis smoking had a child with detectable cannabis biomarker levels five times higher than those without in-home smoking. Reducing in-home cannabis smoking could substantially reduce children's exposure to toxic chemicals.
A cross-sectional study found that children exposed to secondhand cannabis smoke at home have significantly higher urinary cannabinoid biomarker levels, indicating increased exposure to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Reducing in-home cannabis smoking can substantially reduce child exposure to these harmful substances.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that medically recommended cannabis use is associated with a higher prevalence of cannabis use disorder and more frequent use among US adults. The study suggests that medically recommended cannabis may not be effective in reducing addiction risk compared to nonmedical use.
Researchers developed an Index of Cannabis Equivalence (ICE) to establish standardized cannabis dosing guidelines. The study found that two puffs from a joint, pipe, or vaporizer equal one bong hit in terms of psychoactive effects.
A new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found no changes in opioid outcomes among the general population with the states' passage of medical and recreational marijuana laws. Decreases in opioid outcomes were observed among people reporting cannabis use but not when both medical and recreational use laws existed.
A longitudinal cohort study found that state cannabis legalization is associated with increased cannabis use disorder and poisoning diagnoses. Communities with increased access to cannabis may experience increased healthcare use and costs due to these rising diagnoses.
A recent study published in Social Science & Medicine reveals the complexities of conducting cannabis research in Canada, where researchers face structural barriers and concerns about scientific integrity. The study suggests key solutions to increase public funding, enhance transparency, and promote independence in research.
A new study explores whether CBD can reduce scan-related anxiety in advanced breast cancer patients, finding it was safe but did not significantly change anxiety levels. However, participants who consumed CBD experienced lower anxiety levels after treatment.
A study by Curtin University found that when cigarette prices increased, cannabis use among older Australians (aged over 50) rose, with 68,000 people expected to start using cannabis. Researchers used data from the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey and ran simulations to predict the impact of price increases.
Research from King's College London finds that frequent cannabis use increases psychosis risk, regardless of genetic load for schizophrenia. The study used polygenic risk scores to investigate the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis.
A new Washington State University study reveals that teens' perceptions of parent cannabis use shape their attitudes towards the drug and intentions to try it. The research highlights the crucial roles of parental monitoring and closeness in adolescents' views on cannabis.
A recent review paper suggests that cannabis affects the endocannabinoid system in various ways, influencing attention, hyperactivity, and anxiety in individuals with ADHD. However, the picture is complicated by the complexity of cannabis products and legal restrictions on marijuana use.
Researchers found that alcohol use was a consistent factor in those who had never vaped cannabis to begin or experiment. Depression also predicted cannabis vaping initiation among certain demographics. The study suggests that targeting both alcohol and mental health prevention can help delay substance initiation in youth.
A new study found that cannabis use worsens reduced brain connectivity in individuals at high risk of psychosis. This deficit is associated with symptoms like social withdrawal and lack of motivation, which are difficult to treat with current medications.
A new study found that excessive social media use among 11-12-year-olds is associated with increased experimentation with substances like alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis. Schools and parents can play a crucial role in addressing this issue by implementing media literacy programs and monitoring content.
A recent study published by the University of Kansas found that cannabis users tend to consume less when they have responsibilities like job interviews or caring for children. People who rated the suitability of using cannabis in these situations more highly were also more likely to consider using the drug.
A study found that prenatal exposure to THC increases dopamine release and rewires the fetal brain, leading to a higher risk of opioid addiction later in life. The research suggests that THC exposure during pregnancy may contribute to neurobiological vulnerabilities, making individuals more susceptible to addiction-like behavior.
A new study in Addiction Biology suggests that cannabis use can cause chromosomal damage, leading to increased cancer risk and birth defects. This genotoxicity may be transmitted to offspring via damaged sperm or eggs.
This study found that adolescents who used cannabis exhibited unique metabolomic patterns associated with psychotic-like experiences, including variations in lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. In contrast, non-users showed correlations between inflammatory metabolic changes and hallucinations.
Research by the University of Sydney has identified CBN as a constituent that improves sleep in rats. The study showed that CBN increased both NREM and REM sleep, leading to increased total sleep time.
The November issues of APA journals focus on research related to substance use disorders, including a special issue on the topic. The American Psychiatric Association has published several studies and guidelines on these topics, providing valuable insights for mental health professionals.
Recreational cannabis legalization in California is associated with higher rates of cannabis use during early pregnancy, driven by jurisdictions allowing adult-use retailers. The study found that individuals living in these areas were more likely to use cannabis during early pregnancy.
A study from the University of Georgia found that about 6% of pregnant women used marijuana during the last month, with many not associating it with health risks. The research highlights the importance of educating women about the potential negative effects of marijuana use during pregnancy.
A large observational study found associations between cannabis use and brain structure and function changes in later life. However, genetic analysis using Mendelian randomization suggests that these associations may not be causal, with possible explanations including unmeasured variables or differences in statistical power.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital found prenatal cannabis exposure associated with poorer thinking skills and behaviors like impulse control and aggression in preschool-aged children. The study supports existing clinical recommendations against cannabis use during pregnancy due to potential health risks.
A US cohort study found that prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with differences in executive function and aggressive behavior in children at age 5. The study's results may inform clinical recommendations on cannabis use during pregnancy.
The study found a significant decrease in the percentage of adolescents reporting current marijuana use, from 23.1% in 2011 to 15.8% in 2021. Marijuana use was most prevalent among 12th graders, with a notable decline in usage rates across all grades.