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Introduction: Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes, but their impact on workplace absenteeism remains poorly understood. Moreover, few studies have examined the role of CUD severity. This study aims to address these gaps by examining the associations between cannabis use recency, frequency, CUD severity, and workplace absenteeism.
Methods: Cross-sectional data from a U.S. representative sample of full-time employed adults aged ≥18 from the 2021 to 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (N=46,499) were analyzed. The associations between cannabis use recency, past-month cannabis use frequency, CUD severity, and workplace absenteeism (measured by self-reported number of missed days due to illness/injury and skipped work in the last 30 days) were evaluated using negative binomial regression, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and other substance use. Data were analyzed in 2023–2024.
Results: An estimated 15.9% of full-time employed adults used cannabis in the past month, with 6.5% meeting CUD criteria. Past-month cannabis use (compared to no lifetime use), more frequent past-month cannabis use (compared to no use in the past month), and each level of CUD (compared to no CUD) were associated with increased incidence of both missing work due to illness/injury and skipping work, with a dose-response relationship observed between CUD severity and skipping work (mild: adjusted incident rate ratio [aIRR]=1.60 [95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24, 2.08]; moderate: aIRR=1.98 [95% CI=1.50, 2.61]); severe (aIRR=2.87 [95% CI=2.12, 3.88]).
Conclusions: Individuals with recent and frequent cannabis use and CUD are disproportionately prone to workplace absenteeism. Results support the enforcement of workplace drug prevention and treatment policies.
(Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379724002587)
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The placebo effect is a fascinating phenomenon where a person experiences real changes in their health after receiving a treatment that has no therapeutic value. This effect is particularly notable in pain management.
When a person believes they are receiving a pain-relieving treatment, their brain can release natural painkillers called endorphins. These chemicals interact with the brain’s pain pathways, reducing the perception of pain. This process is known as placebo analgesia.
Research has shown that the placebo effect can be as effective as actual pain medications in some cases. For instance, studies have found that patients receiving a placebo can experience pain relief comparable to those taking low doses of morphine. This effect is not just about positive thinking; it involves complex neurobiological reactions, including increased activity in brain regions associated with mood and self-awareness….
When it comes to cannabis, the problem is that we need to create the placebo effect whilst disconnecting the patient from the substance that may have many other negative side-effects beyond the pain issue, which cannabis most certainly has.
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Cannabis research has come a long way, shedding light on its potential therapeutic benefits and risks. Yet, despite advancements, the integration of biomarkers—a critical tool for precise and objective measurement—remains noticeably absent from much of this research. This raises several questions: Why haven’t biomarkers been used more extensively in cannabis research? Is there a deliberate effort to withhold data that could lead to definitive outcomes? Let’s delve into these questions to understand the complexities and potential reasons behind this gap.
Biomarkers and Their Importance
Biomarkers are measurable indicators of a biological state or condition, encompassing genetic, biochemical, and physiological parameters. They provide objective, quantifiable data, aiding in early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of diseases. In the context of cannabis research, biomarkers could offer invaluable insights into how cannabis affects the brain and body at a molecular level, potentially leading to more targeted treatments and clearer understanding of risks.
Current State of Cannabis Research
Most cannabis research today revolves around cognitive outcomes and self-reported data. While these approaches are essential, they have limitations such as subjectivity, variability, and short-term focus. Cognitive tests and surveys often fail to capture the nuanced, long-term effects of cannabis use. Hence, the integration of biomarkers could fill these gaps, providing a more comprehensive understanding of cannabis’s impact.
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The promotion and now clear marketing ‘spin’ on cannabinoids other than (but including) Delta 9 THC have been broadcast, largely unchecked for the last decade. Cannabidiol or CBD is just one of the 100 plus cannabinoids in this very complex and now completely unnatural plant that has been promoted as the ‘safe’ and health bringing cannabis extract.
The relentless bioengineering of this substance has long since seen the original plant no longer exist, well anywhere western culture has set its foot. However, the panacea claims on this substance and its growing number of derivatives has been trumpeted for over six decades, but we have next to no real advancements in useful medicines or therapies – certainly nothing curative.
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CBD does not temper THC’s effects on brain connectivity, may enhance disruption
In a recent study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, researchers have found that cannabidiol (CBD) does not mitigate the disruptive effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on brain connectivity. In fact, the study suggests that CBD might even exacerbate these effects in some cases.
This challenges the commonly held belief that CBD can counterbalance the psychoactive impact of THC in cannabis. The research was motivated by the growing use of cannabis among adolescents and young adults, a period characterized by significant brain development.
Previous studies indicated that chronic cannabis use during adolescence could lead to changes in brain connectivity and cognitive impairments. However, there was a lack of detailed research on the acute effects of cannabis in this age group, especially considering the different compositions of cannabis with varying levels of THC and CBD.
THC is the main psychoactive component, responsible for the euphoric “high” and cognitive alterations associated with cannabis use. CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and has been suggested to have potential therapeutic properties, such as potentially reducing anxiety and possessing anti-inflammatory effects, but do not consider the other downsides of CBD use. While THC binds directly to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, influencing mood, perception, and cognition, CBD interacts more subtly with these receptors and can modulate the effects of THC.