Articles tagged with Recreational Drugs
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A new study found that adolescents who frequently see billboard or storefront advertisements for recreational cannabis are more likely to use the drug weekly and have symptoms of a cannabis use disorder. Researchers used social media sites and apps to recruit 172 teens, ages 15 to 19, who lived in states with legal recreational marijuana.
The study found the Netherlands recorded the highest usage of NPS, followed by Australia, New Zealand, and the US. Meanwhile, Spain, Italy, and China had the lowest incidence. Countries with higher usage included Australia, New Zealand, and the US, where substances like N-ethylpentylone were detected.
A new report in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found significant increases in marijuana use among California adolescents, especially those in historically low-risk groups. Researchers attribute this to the growing normativity of marijuana use due to legalization.
Research published online in the journal Heart found that recreational substance use is associated with a higher likelihood of premature and extremely premature heart disease. Those who use 4 or more substances are 9 times as likely to be affected, with increased risks observed among women.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that the density of licensed and unlicensed marijuana retailers is associated with increased marijuana use among young adults. Young adults living near areas with high concentrations of licensed outlets were more likely to use marijuana, while those living near unlicensed outlets reported greater h...
A recent study found that the prevalence of ketamine use among EDM party attendees is significantly higher than reported, with nearly 40% testing positive for ketamine in hair samples. The study suggests that unintentional exposure to ketamine through adulterated drugs may be a contributing factor.
Researchers found that chronic, heavy recreational marijuana use affects driving ability even when users are not intoxicated. Earlier onset of marijuana use was associated with poorer driving performance and increased impulsivity.
A new study found that street segments with recreational dispensaries in Denver experienced an 18% increase in property crime, while those adjacent to dispensaries saw higher levels of drug and disorder crimes. However, the sales revenue generated by recreational dispensaries largely offset the costs of these crimes.
Researchers suggest setting a unit level at 5mg of THC, which could be added to product packaging in countries where cannabis is legally sold. This system could provide clearer information on cannabis products and their strength, helping users make informed choices and minimizing potential health risks.
A Dutch survey of swingers found that nearly half use recreational drugs during sex to prolong and intensify the experience. Women are more likely to use drugs than straight or bisexual men, but this practice increases the risk of unprotected sex.
A recent study found that over 34% of recent LSD initiates first used the drug in the summer, while 30% of marijuana, ecstasy, and cocaine use began during this time. The researchers suggest that having extra recreational time during the summer and the growing popularity of outdoor activities may contribute to these findings.
A study of over 1.4 million high school students found no association between medical marijuana laws and teen marijuana use, but recreational laws were associated with a decrease in both past 30-day and frequent marijuana use.
A study by University of Colorado Denver researchers found an association between marijuana dispensaries and increases in neighborhood crime and disorder rates, with strongest associations weakening over time. The study suggests that dispensaries may be a factor in crime spikes following legalization.
A controlled laboratory study found that MDMA increased cooperation between individuals who had been betrayed, indicating the drug's potential as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The study also reported altered brain activity in regions involved in social information processing.
A Drexel University-led research project aims to study the health and behavioral effects of medical marijuana use for young adults in Los Angeles. The study, which has been renewed for five years, will track how the state's changing cannabis laws impact public health.
If cannabis use increases after legalization, the Canadian government should alter its act to prevent negative health effects, according to an editorial. The Government of Canada must be vigilant in tracking cannabis usage and provide adequate funding for research into harms.
Researchers at Lancaster and Lisbon Universities found that long-term exposure to cannabis impairs learning and memory in animals. Brain imaging studies showed the drug affects key brain regions involved in learning and memory.
A study published in the Journal of Drug Issues found that individuals with strong religious involvement are less likely to use marijuana recreationally and medically. The study, led by FSU Associate Professor Amy Burdette, examined data from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
A new analysis found a significant decline in direct-to-consumer TV ads conveying information about conditions and prevalence, while positive emotional appeals increased.
An independent review suggests that on-site pill testing could reduce fatalities from 'party drugs' like ecstasy and methamphetamines by providing information on their quality and purity. The author argues that pragmatic initiatives like pill testing are needed to replace criminal justice responses.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found no significant change in adolescent recreational marijuana use following enactment of medical marijuana laws. The study analyzed data from four large-scale US surveys and concluded that medical marijuana laws do not increase recreational pot use among teens.
A recent study in Oregon revealed that more than half of the public consider alcohol to be more harmful than marijuana. The study found a significant correlation between age and perceived harm, with younger people substantially more likely to view alcohol as more harmful.
Research reveals almost 40% of Aussies have used illicit drugs at some stage, with 17% using them in the past 12 months. Recreational users view themselves as different from habitual users, driven by social networking and performance enhancement.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that frequent marijuana users had increased coital frequency compared to non-users. The study analyzed data from over 50,000 Americans aged 25-45 and found a positive association between marijuana use and sexual activity across all demographics.
Research suggests that psychedelic experiences can lead to transformative outcomes, including reduced anxiety and depression. Ego dissolution allows for expanded awareness and a shift in perspective, potentially beneficial for individuals struggling with addiction and psychiatric disorders.
A new study found that college students in Oregon are using more marijuana following the state's legalization of recreational use. The study also revealed a link between heavy alcohol use and increased marijuana consumption among young adults.
A new paper examines the diverging trajectories of cannabis and tobacco policies in the US, highlighting the differences in regulatory approaches. The study suggests that both communities could benefit from learning from each other's strategies.
Researchers at McGill University found that cues associated with cocaine consumption trigger dopamine release in the dorsal striatum, a structure involved in compulsive behavior, even among non-dependent users. This suggests that recreational users may be further along the road to addiction than they realize.
A new study suggests that gang membership and criminal acts serve as deviant leisure activities for young people, filling their needs for excitement and a sense of belonging. The researchers found that many participants enjoyed the violence and experienced a rush during violent incidents, with some likening it to a drug addiction.
A study by Laurie de Grace found that the culture of sport, particularly team sports like hockey, can increase the risk of substance addiction in elite athletes. The study revealed patterns of social acceptance, normalization of drugs and alcohol, and pressure to perform, which contribute to the development of addiction.
A recent study found that less than half of Mount Everest climbers report using medications on climbs, with acetazolamide being the most commonly used to prevent altitude sickness. The research suggests that rumors of widespread drug abuse among climbers are unfounded and that medication use is primarily for legitimate health purposes.
Research suggests high-potency cannabis, with high THC and no CBD, increases risk of dependence. The study, which analyzed over 400 young cannabis users, found those who preferred high-potency cannabis were twice as likely to show problematic use.
A study found a significant increase in hospital visits and pediatric marijuana exposure cases in Colorado after recreational use was legalized. The authors reported an average rate of 2.3 marijuana-related visits per 100,000 population and a 34% increase in regional poison center cases.
The current federal legal status of marijuana is a major barrier to research and regulation. Reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous substance would make it easier for scientists to study its medical benefits and untangle regulations. This could lead to safer pesticides being tested on legal crops.
A recent study from Sam Houston State University highlights the difficulties in detecting synthetic cathinones in biological samples due to their thermal degradation and instability. The researchers emphasize the need for a systematic approach to understanding the structural facets of these compounds to improve detection methods.
A study of 34,653 US adults found that marijuana use was associated with an increased risk of developing alcohol and drug use disorders, including nicotine dependence, over a three-year period. However, the study did not find a link between marijuana use and mood or anxiety disorders.
A RAND Corporation study found that medical marijuana users are more likely to vaporize or consume edible forms of the drug compared to recreational users. Additionally, medical users tend to report daily or near-daily use and consume more cannabis per day.
A Johns Hopkins study found that changes in medical marijuana laws, particularly the increase of dispensaries in some states, led to a shift in the number of people using the drug. Medical marijuana users are more likely to be in their 50s and often use it for pain relief.
A new University of Sydney study reveals that recreational drug use among young people is a significant harm with potentially lethal consequences. Males under 30 are at greatest risk, with stimulants being the most commonly linked substance to recreational poisonings.
A new study suggests that a mother's use of marijuana during pregnancy may indicate the use of other illicit drugs. The study found that 26% of mothers or their newborns tested positive for THC, with concurrent detection of opioids (12%), amphetamines (11%), and cocaine (6%) also common.
According to a new study, teen marijuana use has decreased significantly since 1999, from 47% to 37%, but is still higher than other illicit drugs. The study found a narrowing gender gap and increased usage among black teens, with rates of marijuana use surpassing those of methamphetamine.
A study found that 67% of male Aka foragers in the Congo Basin used cannabis, protecting against parasitic worm infections, which are a major health problem in developing world populations. The researchers also suggest that tobacco use may have similar protective effects.
A new study published in Annals of Family Medicine found that more than half of patients who report 'weekend-only' drug use expand their use to weekdays. Primary care clinicians should monitor these patients, as weekend-only users are less likely to increase frequency and severity of use compared to those with non-weekend-only use.
Researchers investigated MDMA's behavior under extreme pressure, finding no change in polymorph despite elevated pressures. The study suggests that non-hydrostatic conditions may lead to a polymorphic change.
This groundbreaking research sheds light on the complex origins of drug policies that have inspired murderous violence in Mexico and the US. By examining the history of drugs in Latin America, researchers offer new perspectives on how societies have dealt with drugs and their cultural significance.
A study of over 6,100 British men found that those who paid for sex had twice as many lifetime sexual partners as the general population, but few were paid for. Young professionals with a taste for binge drinking and recreational drugs were more likely to engage in this behavior.
A study of 517 mothers found that nearly 15% had taken recreational drugs during pregnancy, and mothers of babies with brain birth defects were more likely to have used drugs. The study suggests a link between brain birth defects and recreational drug use in expectant mothers.
Researchers found that recreational drug use among swingers was associated with high-risk sexual behavior and STIs, especially in women. The study suggests that targeted interventions addressing safer sex practices and secondary prevention of drug use could be effective in reducing the spread of STIs.
Research published in The Lancet HIV reveals that polydrug use is common among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in the UK, and is strongly linked to condomless sex. Condom use was markedly lower with increasing polydrug use.
Researchers analyzed tweets from a popular marijuana account and found that 82% of recipients were under 19 years old, with 54% aged 17-19. The study highlights the need for discussion about pro-drug messages on social media platforms and their potential impact on vulnerable youth.
Research finds brain differences in young adults who smoke marijuana at least once a week, including altered reward processing regions and shape/density changes. Casual marijuana use may lead to previously unidentified brain changes, highlighting the importance of studying long-term effects.
New research warns Canadians about the deadly risks of designer drug use, citing 10 new drugs per year and toxic contaminants like PMA. Experts call for education to help people understand the health risks, emphasizing that there is no safe dose of ecstasy.
A new study by RAND Corporation estimates Washington state marijuana consumption to be about twice as large as previously thought, ranging from 135 to 225 metric tons in 2013. The analysis used federal data and a survey of marijuana users to improve upon previous estimates.
The 2013 Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey found that one in eight students took prescription opioids recreationally, while 14% reported driving under the influence of cannabis. Hazardous drinking among youth remains a concern, with 8% reporting injuries or harming others while intoxicated.
A study in the Journal of Addiction Medicine finds that doctors abuse prescription drugs primarily for 'self-medication' to manage physical or emotional pain, stress, and psychiatric symptoms. The study highlights the importance of addressing self-medication as a key reason for prescription drug abuse among physicians.
A study estimating 32 million people in the US have used psychedelics reveals a widespread prevalence, particularly among young adults. Psychedelic use has remained relatively stable since the 1960s, with no significant increase or decrease over time.
Global antibiotic misuse threatens human health more than the war on illegal drugs. Dr Jonny Anomaly advocates for redirecting funds to curb excessive prescribing and promoting collective action.
Research found that individuals with low risk of cocaine dependence have an abnormally large frontal lobe, associated with self-control. This region is smaller in those who develop addiction. The study suggests that certain personality traits and brain structure can predict addiction risk.
Research of almost 4000 teens in Quebec, Canada found that secondary school kids using speed and ecstasy are prone to subsequent depression. The findings were independent of previous bouts of depressive symptoms or other drug use, suggesting additive or synergistic adverse effects of concurrent use.
A new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that opioid addiction is associated with the highest risk of death, with a 5.71-fold increased risk compared to healthy individuals. The study tracked over 800,000 hospital records and found that alcohol dependence was related to the highest number of deaths overall.