Tag

Cannabis

All articles tagged with #cannabis

health3 days ago•37 min saved

Teens Using Cannabis Linked to Doubling of Psychosis and Mood Disorder Risks

A large U.S. study of 463,396 adolescents aged 13–17 found that past-year cannabis use is associated with about twice the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders by age 26, and higher risks of depression and anxiety, based on universal pediatric screening and electronic health records from 2016–2023. With cannabis potency rising, public health experts call for reducing potency and limiting youth marketing, and stress the need for accurate, evidence-based information for families.

via Ground News|

#adolescents #bipolar-disorder #cannabis

neuroscience9 days ago•11 min saved

Moderate cannabis use linked to preserved brain health in older adults

A UK Biobank study of 26,000+ adults aged 40–77 found lifetime cannabis use generally associates with larger volumes in CB1-rich brain regions (notably the hippocampus) and better cognitive performance, with the strongest benefits in moderate users; however, some regions showed different effects (posterior cingulate volume lower), and researchers caution that potency, usage patterns, and aging context matter, so this is not a clinical recommendation.

via Neuroscience News|

#aging #brainvolume #cannabis

mental-health9 days ago•28 min saved

Moderate cannabis use may improve decision-making in bipolar disorder, study finds

A cross-sectional study of 87 participants, including healthy controls and individuals with bipolar disorder, found that bipolar patients who used cannabis moderately (about 4–24 times per week) showed better decision-making and functional skills—comparable to healthy non-users—whereas bipolar non-users tended to have deficits. In healthy adults, cannabis use impaired decision-making. Heavy use (25+ times/week) was linked to worse performance. The authors caution that the study shows association, not causation, and call for larger randomized trials to explore potential mechanisms (dopamine-related) and the balance of risks and benefits before clinical recommendations.

via PsyPost|

#bipolar-disorder #cannabis #cognition

science16 days ago•6 min saved

Lifetime cannabis use linked to younger-looking brains in a 25k-participant study

A large UK Biobank imaging study of over 25,000 participants aged 44–81 found that lifetime cannabis users have brain connectivity patterns that resemble younger brains and outperformed non-users on several cognitive tests, with aging-related networks showing opposite changes; however, being cross-sectional and based on lifetime use, the study cannot establish causation and the effects are modest.

via Boing Boing|

#brain-aging #cannabis #cognition

health20 days ago•6 min saved

THC paired with anti-inflammatory drug slows Alzheimer’s development in mice

UT Health San Antonio researchers found that low-dose THC combined with the anti-inflammatory celecoxib delayed or reduced Alzheimer’s-like brain changes and improved memory in mice, while THC alone increased inflammatory signals. The study, published in Aging and Disease, suggests this drug combo could move toward clinical trials to slow disease progression, though results in humans remain uncertain.

via foxnews.com|

#alzheimers-disease #brain-inflammation #cannabis

health20 days ago•6 min saved

Midlife Cannabis Surge Triggers New Cardiovascular Health Concerns

As cannabis use climbs among adults 45+, researchers warn of increased cardiovascular risks—tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, and potential heart attack—especially in those with existing conditions. THC can raise heart rate and disrupt vascular regulation, and smoked cannabis brings harmful byproducts. A lack of solid research and clinical guidance due to cannabis's Schedule I status leaves physicians underprepared. Policy and industry dynamics complicate risk communication. The path forward includes standardized screening in healthcare, better provider education, more funding for research, and balanced public messaging; individuals with risk factors should discuss use with their doctors and seek help if chest pain or shortness of breath occur.

via WebProNews|

#cannabis #cardiovascular-health #health

health20 days ago•6 min saved

Moderate cannabis use linked to larger brain regions and better cognition in middle-aged and older adults

A UK Biobank analysis of 26,362 adults aged 40–77 finds that greater lifetime cannabis use is generally associated with larger regional brain volumes and better cognitive performance, especially with moderate use; some measures peak at high use, but one region (posterior cingulate) shows lower volume with more use, and sex differences appear but are not consistent. The study emphasizes nuance, cautions against causal conclusions, and notes context (patterns, products, timing) matters, with future work on brain connectivity and other substances like psilocybin.

via CU Anschutz newsroom|

#aging #brain-imaging #cannabis

health21 days ago•15 min saved

Older Adults Face Hidden Risks as Cannabis Potency Rises

As cannabis use climbs among people over 65, Stanford Medicine experts warn that today's high-potency products may raise risks for heart disease, cognitive decline, falls, and drug interactions, while research remains limited by federal legal constraints. About 30% of regular cannabis users may develop cannabis use disorder, and patients should discuss use with a healthcare provider to weigh benefits against potential harms and consider safer alternatives, especially for those with chronic conditions or on other medications. FDA-approved cannabis-related drugs exist for specific conditions, but cannabis as medicine lacks broad approval.

via SciTechDaily|

#cannabis #drug-interactions #health

health23 days ago•1 min saved

Ontario Teens See Surge in Psychosis Diagnoses, Study Finds

A CMAJ analysis of Ontario birth cohorts finds psychotic-disorder diagnoses rose 60% among ages 14–20 between 1997 and 2023, and those born in the early 2000s are roughly twice as likely to be diagnosed by age 20; researchers suggest rising cannabis and other substance use among teens may be contributing and urge more study.

via The New York Times|

#cannabis #health #mental-health

business1 month ago•6 min saved

Caribbean cannabis sector targets legal markets and exports

Caribbean cannabis growers in Antigua and Jamaica are expanding licensed cultivation, developing multiple strains with medicinal value, and lobbying for full legalisation to enable regulated production and export. The industry faces high costs and regulatory hurdles, but governments are building frameworks and training programs to curb illicit trade, boost research, and keep profits local, with possible cross-border opportunities if US policy shifts allow imports.

via BBC|

#antigua-and-barbuda #business #cannabis

science1 month ago•4 min saved

New cannabis units, ancient giants, and aging insights headline this week's science

ScienceAlert’s weekly roundup covers UK scientists proposing a standard THC unit for cannabis dosing; an 8-meter-tall fossil Prototaxites that stubbornly resists classification; the discovery of the world’s oldest rock art in Sulawesi dating to at least 67,800 years ago; the identification of tagatose, a natural low-calorie sugar that does not spike insulin; a gut-bacteria-driven syndrome where ethanol can form in the gut after meals; and new evidence linking the shingles vaccine with slower biological aging and reduced inflammation in older adults.

via ScienceAlert|

#aging #archaeology #cannabis

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Standard THC Unit Could Help Quantify Cannabis Use and Cut Harm

A University of Bath–led CannTeen study proposes a standard THC unit to quantify cannabis potency, aiming to provide a metric similar to standard drinks. Analyzing 150 London users over 12 months, researchers found potency has risen and higher-THC cannabis is linked to greater risk of cannabis use disorder; they estimate a strong 0.45 g joint can contain about 12.8 THC units while a weaker variant may have ~3.8 units. They suggest adults should not exceed 8 THC units per week to reduce risk, a guideline welcomed by public health researchers, though cannabis contains many cannabinoids beyond THC. The study is published in Addiction.

via ScienceAlert|

#cannabis #cannteen-study #harm-reduction

health1 month ago•5 min saved

Rise of 'Scromiting': The Mysterious Cannabis Syndrome

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), also known as 'scromiting,' is a rare but increasingly recognized condition among long-term high-potency cannabis users, characterized by severe vomiting and abdominal pain. Its prevalence has risen significantly with increased legalization and potency of cannabis, especially among young adults. Experts suggest moderation and further research into the condition's causes and mechanisms, as abstinence remains the only confirmed treatment.

via Chicago Tribune|

#cannabis #chs #health

science1 month ago•4 min saved

Stress Triggers Cannabis Cravings in Rats, Study Finds

Research from Washington State University shows that rats with higher baseline stress hormone levels are more likely to self-administer cannabis, suggesting that long-term stress biology may influence cannabis-seeking behavior, similar to patterns observed in humans.

via SciTechDaily|

#behavioral-study #biological-predictors #cannabis

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Cannabis as Effective as Ibuprofen for Chronic Pain, OHSU Study Finds

A review led by OHSU found that some cannabis products, particularly those containing THC, can slightly reduce chronic pain, similar to traditional painkillers like ibuprofen, but the effect is small and may come with side effects. CBD alone showed little to no impact on pain, and the findings suggest caution in using cannabis for pain management, emphasizing the need for further research and personalized medical advice.

via Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB|

#cannabis #cbd #chronic-pain