March 1st, 2009 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Scientific News
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that a commonly available non-addictive drug can prevent symptoms [...]
November 23rd, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Scientific News
While many congregations of different faiths preach against drug abuse, it has been unclear whether a youth’s religious [...]
October 23rd, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Scientific News
People who began drinking and using marijuana regularly prior to their 15th birthday face a higher risk of early pregnancy, as well as a pattern of school failure, substance dependence, sexually-transmitted disease and criminal convictions that lasts into their 30s. [...]
October 15th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Highlights
The people who speak out the most vociferously in favour of Insite are addicted [...]
October 15th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in For Health Professionals, Psychoactive Substances, Scientific News
“Studies of the effect of cannabis smoking on respiratory and general health indicate that the use of cannabis alone has an adverse effect on respiratory health…” [...]
October 6th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information, Scientific News
People who first try marijuana at a young age are more likely to develop mental illnesses, according to a research review by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. CNN reported May 3 that federal drug czar John Walters said that while the rate of mental illness is about 8-9 percent among U.S. [...]
October 6th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information, Scientific News
Dutch scientists have found that some young people who frequently use marijuana could be at greater risk for developing psychosis later in life, Reuters reported Dec. 1.
For the study, 2,437 individuals aged 14-24 were surveyed about their marijuana use. Researchers then tracked them for four years.
According to lead study author Professor Jim van Os of [...]
October 6th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information, Scientific News
Daily marijuana smokers are at elevated risk of suffering psychotic symptoms such as paranoia, hearing voices, and feelings of isolation, according to a new study.
The New Zealand Herald reported March 2 that researchers from Canterbury University led by David Fergusson looked at long-term health data and concluded that daily users were between 1.6 and 1.8 [...]
October 6th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Interesting Information, Scientific News
A new study found that cognitive impairment from heavy marijuana use is reversible through abstinence, Reuters reported Oct. 17.
“It appears that cognitive impairment from marijuana use is temporary and related to the amount of marijuana that has been recently smoked rather than permanent and related to an entire lifetime consumption,” said Dr. Harrison G. Pope, [...]
October 6th, 2008 | Full text | published by BRAHA Editor in Highlights
The Swedish experience with drug abuse defines the problems we face [...]
The world’s best business model has always been addiction. Tobacco and alcohol have been around for ages, but new temptations and spinoffs are being marketed all the time: meth, painkillers, energy drinks, you name it.
Importantly, the study also finds that the risk of violence from patients with psychoses who also have substance use disorder is no greater than those who have a substance use disorder but who do not have a psychotic illness – in other words, schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses do not appear to be responsible for any additional risk of violence above the increased risk associated with substance abuse.
Smoking marijuana over an extended period of time appears to greatly boost a young man’s risk for developing a particularly aggressive form of testicular cancer, a new study reveals. [...]
Relief from pain. In some people, prescription pain relievers also cause euphoria or feelings of well being by affecting the brain regions that mediate pleasure. This is why they are abused. Other effects include drowsiness, constipation and slowed breathing. [...]
On Sunday researchers at the University of Buffalo reported that Ritalin, used on children diagnosed with ADHD, may cause long-term changes in the brain. Many clinicians regard Ritalin as short-acting but the research with gene expression in an animal model suggests that it has the potential for causing long-lasting changes [...]
The body produces many chemicals and hormones, i.e., histamines, steroids, thyroid hormone, digitalis-like substances, adrenalin, etc, all of which work by attaching to corresponding brain receptors. The key is that these natural substances produced by the body are present in nanogram amounts [...]
As California State Assembly member Tom Ammiano put it: “What if California could raise hundreds of millions of dollars in new revenue to preserve vital state services without any tax increase?” [...]
“The fight against drugs is actually the fight for Afghanistan,” said Afghan President Hamid Karzai when he took office in 2002. Judging by the current situation, Afghanistan is losing. [...]
Among the things everybody knows is that Democrats, being the party of the little people, raise money in small contributions, whereas Republicans, being the party of fat cats, raise funds in huge basketfuls from wealthy corporate types. At least, that’s the way the world is usually portrayed by the “Today Show,” The New York Times and the Democratic Party. So it’s of more than passing interest to see [...]