Articles tagged with Cannabis
A new study confirms the increasing use of cannabis by midlife women to alleviate menopause symptoms such as anxiety, sleep problems, and stress. Over 40% of participants reported using cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
A study of 619 high-risk young adults in Ontario, Canada found that frequent cannabis users showed a decrease in use and consequences over time. Small increases in use were observed among those who never used cannabis before legalization, but without corresponding changes in negative outcomes.
A new study found that individuals visiting the emergency department for substance-induced psychosis have an 18.5% risk of developing schizophrenia within three years. Younger age and male sex were associated with a higher risk, particularly for cannabis use.
A study of 80 online marijuana dispensaries found that most lacked adequate age verification features and accepted nontraceable payment methods. This enabled youth to hide their transactions, with almost 1 in 5 dispensaries requiring no formal age verification at any stage.
A new study by UCSF researchers has found that people who use both cannabis and tobacco have significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety than those who use either substance alone or not at all. The study analyzed data from 53,843 Americans and found that among dual users, 26.5% reported anxiety and 28.3% reported depression.
A new portable device invented by researchers at the University of Bath can detect synthetic cannabinoids like Spice on various materials, including paper and fabric, with high accuracy. The device is expected to be rolled out across the UK within months and may eventually be available globally.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals that people who use both tobacco and cannabis are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those who use tobacco only or neither substance. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 US adults and found a significant association between co-use and poor mental health outcomes.
A Northwestern University study found that endogenous cannabinoid molecules released by the brain during stress can calm it down. These molecules activate the same receptors as THC and may provide a natural coping response to stress.
Medical cannabis use in Australian patients with chronic health issues is linked to significant improvements in overall health-related quality of life and fatigue levels. Patients also report clinically meaningful reductions in pain and moderate-severe anxiety and depression.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the commercialization of cannabis in Ontario, Canada led to a significant increase in emergency department visits for cannabis-involved traffic injuries, with rates rising by 475% over 13 years.
A study found large increases in cannabis-involved traffic injury emergency department visits in Ontario, Canada. The research suggests that commercialization of non-medical cannabis may have accelerated these incidents, highlighting the need for greater prevention efforts.
Experts recommend avoiding cannabis during adolescence, pregnancy, and driving due to links to psychosis, depression, and motor vehicle accidents. However, cannabidiol shows promise in reducing seizures and managing chronic pain.
Research at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health detected significant levels of metals in the blood and urine of marijuana users, suggesting that marijuana is a source of lead and cadmium exposure. Measurements reported by participants showed higher lead levels in blood and urine among exclusive marijuana users compare...
In a study of primary care patients in a state with legal recreational cannabis use, moderate to severe cannabis use disorder (CUD) was common among those who used cannabis. Nonmedical use was associated with more prevalent CUD, highlighting the need for assessing patient cannabis use and symptoms in medical settings.
A study by Texas A&M University found that pregaming is linked to unsafe alcohol use and other risky behaviors among college students. Pregaming was associated with a two-day increase in alcohol use frequency and was found to be around 2.5 times more likely to lead to cannabis or other drug use.
A Rutgers-led study found a clear association between mental health disorders, cannabis use, and cannabis use disorder (CUD) among pregnant and postpartum women in the US. The research highlights specific types of mental health disorders linked to cannabis use and CUD.
Researchers found that young vapers are at risk of respiratory symptoms such as bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath, even if they or others around them smoke cigarettes or cannabis. The study also highlights the need for regulatory oversight of vaping products.
A new study by UCLA chemists reveals that many HHC products contain less of the biologically active isomer, which can lead to inconsistent effects. The researchers have developed a method for synthesizing the more active isomer, reducing variability in products.
Adults increasingly perceive daily cannabis smoking as safer than tobacco and secondhand smoke exposure, despite existing science suggesting otherwise. This survey study of 5,035 adults found a significant shift in perceptions over four years.
A two-year NIH-funded study led by Penn State associate research professor Ashley Linden-Carmichael examines the next-day effects of heavy drinking on young adults' daily cognitive functioning. The study will collect intensive self-reported data from 250 participants to explore the impact of alcohol use on memory and other cognitive fu...
An Oregon State University study found that young adults not in college became more frequent users of cannabis and met criteria for cannabis use disorder after state legalization. The prevalence of frequent cannabis use increased by 5 percentage points among non-college young adults, while college students saw a smaller increase.
A new meta-analysis published in Addiction journal found that cannabis legalisation is associated with increased rates of cannabis poisoning. The risk of poisoning was higher among studies focused on children, who are particularly vulnerable to severe toxicity, including coma and neurological effects.
A University at Buffalo-led study found that THC-O-acetate produces moderate relaxation, euphoria, and pain relief, but no psychedelic effects similar to LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. The study suggests that people may overreport their experiences due to social media hype and online claims.
Research suggests that consuming THC during pregnancy can alter the placental and fetal epigenome, leading to changes in gene regulation and expression associated with neurobehavioral disorders. The study's findings highlight the need for better understanding of the potential long-term health impacts of prenatal cannabis exposure.
A study by Potnuru et al. found cannabis use disorder associated with modestly increased perioperative morbidity and mortality after major elective surgery. The findings support preoperative screening for cannabis use disorder to inform risk stratification.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine found that state laws allowing medical cannabis use did not reduce prescriptions for opioids or other therapies for chronic non-cancer pain. The results challenge previous studies suggesting a link between medical cannabis laws and reduced opioid prescribing.
A UTHealth Houston study found that regular cannabis users are more likely to experience complications before, during, and after surgery. Patients with a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were approximately 20% more likely to suffer significant postoperative complications than those without CUD.
A study of commercially insured adults with chronic noncancer pain found that state medical cannabis laws did not lead to a reduction in the use of opioid or nonopioid pain treatments. The researchers also suggested slow implementation and reluctance among healthcare leaders may have contributed to these findings.
A new study found that young people exposed to adverse childhood experiences between ages 0-12 are at high risk of developing problematic adolescent cannabis use. The research, led by Dr Lindsey Hines, analyzed outcomes for over 5,000 participants and found a strong correlation between ACEs and regular cannabis use in teenage years.
A new study by UNM researchers found that patients who reported feeling 'high' experienced 7.7% greater symptom relief, but also a more than 20% increase in negative side effects. The study suggests that feeling 'high' may be an unavoidable component of using cannabis medicinally.
A large Danish study suggests that cannabis use disorder is associated with an increased risk of developing depression and bipolar disorder. The research analyzed data from over six million individuals and found a two-to-three-times higher risk of developing bipolar disorder in both men and women.
Research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found a rise in binge drinking among people aged 31 and over in US states with recreational cannabis laws. Binge drinking declined among younger age groups, including those aged 12-20 and 21-30.
A study found that harm reduction treatment reduced substance use, including cannabis and polysubstance use, among people experiencing homelessness. Participants in the treatment group used cannabis 41% fewer days than the control group. The approach led to improved quality of life and basic needs, making it a sustainable option.
A Phase 2a clinical trial found that AEFO117 significantly reduced the effects of cannabis in daily smokers and decreased both positive mood effects and decision to use cannabis. The drug, developed by Aelis Farma, appears to counteract the high associated with THC without disrupting physiological and behavioral functions.
Researchers have uncovered a possible explanation for why frequent cannabis users are leaner and less prone to diabetes than non-users. The study found that adolescent exposure to low-dose THC disrupts energy balance and adipose organ homeostasis in adulthood, leading to reduced fat mass and increased lean mass.
A study of 6.6 million individuals found a significant association between cannabis use disorder and an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. The findings may inform policies regarding cannabis use control.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System will present studies on pediatric pulmonary vascular disease, asthma, and sleep disorders. The findings focus on prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with severe obstructive sleep apnea and associations between diet and lung function decline.
A study by NIST and University of Colorado Boulder collected breath samples from participants before and after smoking high-THC cannabis, revealing that distinguishing between recent use and past use remains challenging. The research aimed to develop a reproducible protocol for breath measurements, which will help answer key questions ...
A new national study of over 50,000 US adolescents reveals a strong association between vaping nicotine and increased likelihood of high-level cannabis usage and binge drinking. The findings highlight the need for sustained interventions to address co-occurring substance use among young people.
Research found that occasional cannabis use during early pregnancy can significantly reduce birth weight, even if continued use is not observed. Continued exposure results in largest deficiencies, with newborns exposed to marijuana throughout gestation being nearly 200g lighter and having smaller head circumferences.
Researchers found that conveying simple, scientific facts about THC's harm to a fetus reduced intentions to use cannabis while pregnant. Short and simple communications designed to increase media literacy also had an effect.
Patients using medical cannabis reported sustained improvements in health-related quality of life in the study. Adverse events were common but rarely serious, highlighting the need for caution when prescribing medical cannabis.
A Columbia University study found that casual cannabis use by adolescents raises the risk of depression, suicidality, and problem behaviors. Nondisordered cannabis users were 2-2.5 times more likely to have adverse mental health outcomes and behavioral problems compared to teens who didn’t use cannabis.
A recent NIH study reveals that young men with cannabis use disorder are at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia. The study analyzed health records data from over 6 million people in Denmark and found that as many as 30% of schizophrenia cases among young men aged 21-30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disorder.
A multicentre registry study found that medicinal cannabis can safely relieve cancer pain while reducing the total number of medications and opioids taken. Products with an equal balance of THC and CBD were particularly effective in reducing pain intensity and symptoms.
A new study found that cannabis use by cancer patients leads to reduced pain levels, improved sleep quality, and enhanced cognitive function. After two weeks of sustained use, patients reported better thinking clarity and objective measures of cognition also showed improvements.
A Brazilian study found that prenatal exposure to cannabinoids increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, breathing difficulties, and impaired control of breathing. The study suggests that consumption of cannabis or derivatives during pregnancy can have severe effects on the fetus's neural and physiological functions.
A new study on nematode worms reveals that they react to cannabinoids in the same way as humans, increasing hunger for favorite foods and decreasing hunger for non-favored foods. The discovery emphasizes the commonality of cannabinoid effects across species.
A recent study found a significant rise in cannabis exposures in suspected suicide attempts, with the majority involving other substances. The data highlights the need for increased mental health services and awareness about the risks of cannabis use, particularly among youth.
A new Twitter analysis reveals that medical dramas like New Amsterdam, Chicago Med, and Grey's Anatomy influenced hundreds of people's thoughts on vaping dangers. The study found that nearly half the tweets commented on the realism of the storylines, with some even expressing intention to quit vaping.
A study in Auckland, New Zealand has detected methamphetamine and other substances in the air for the first time in Oceania. The largest concentration of methamphetamine was found to be 104 picograms per cubic meter, highlighting the need for better air quality monitoring.
A recent study found that most retail cannabis products in Colorado have lower THC levels than reported on the label, affecting up to 70% of tested samples. The discrepancy may be due to various factors, including production methods and testing protocols.
A new pesticide exposure test has been developed to help protect the health and safety of agricultural workers, particularly those in the emerging cannabis industry. The test uses a bio solid-phase microextraction method that can detect ultra-trace levels of pesticide residues in human blood plasma.
A new study from the University of Illinois Chicago found a substantial increase in crash fatalities in four states with legalized recreational cannabis, with an average 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths. The study suggests that investing in policies and public health initiatives may mitigate this harm.
Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to accurately diagnosing cannabis use disorder, particularly for individuals who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The current diagnostic manual may misdiagnose these individuals due to the rapid increase in state-level legalization of medical marijuana.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that dedicated hyperbaric oxygen therapy is more effective in reducing pain and healing patients with fibromyalgia caused by traumatic brain injury. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in 2 out of 5 patients, including improved pain threshold tests and quality of life indicators.
Researchers found that clinicians ordered more frequent newborn drug tests for Black newborns after recreational cannabis legalization, highlighting concerns about structural racism and disproportionate testing. The study calls for further exploration of how institutional racism affects healthcare outcomes for Black families.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that racial inequities in newborn drug testing rates remained similar after recreational cannabis legalization in Michigan. The study analyzed data from over 26,000 births between 2014-2020 and found that Black newborns were more likely to receive a drug test than white newborns. Impl...
A study of over 1,300 children aged 9-13 found a significant increase in substance use when combining hair analysis with survey results, nearly doubling the estimated number of child drug users. This suggests that hair analysis is a more accurate method for assessing adolescent substance abuse than self-reporting alone.
Researchers have found a significant link between frequent marijuana use and an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), with daily cannabis users being about one-third more likely to develop the condition. The study used data from 175,000 people and suggested that cannabis use disorder is associated with a higher risk of CAD.