- Details
- Hits: 786
Researchers examined cannabis use among heroin users over a 20-year period.
With cannabis marketing propaganda proliferating in the commercialized settings, it’s no wonder nearly 44% of US adults think marijuana is safer than tobacco.
People with heroin dependency don't use less of that drug if they start also using cannabis, according to a new study.
The findings cast some doubt on the idea that cannabis might help people reduce their dependence on opioids, experts say.
"Despite suggestions that cannabis may be used as a method for reducing opioid use, we found no evidence to suggest a relationship between the use of these [substances]," Dr. Jack Wilson, a researcher at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney.
"Increasing the availability of cannabis is unlikely to have an impact one way or the other on the opioid crisis and overdose death rate," said Dr. Andrew Saxon, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and a member of the American Psychiatric Association's council on addiction psychiatry.
The study found that cannabis use was very common among those who were dependent on heroin. However, there wasn't a consistent relationship between the patterns of use of the two drugs, and no evidence to suggest that cannabis use reduced long-term opioid use.
- Details
- Hits: 683
A Yale-led analysis of the genomes of more than 1 million people has shed light on the underlying biology of cannabis use disorder and associated risks.
From the abstract: As recreational use of cannabis is being decriminalized in many places and medical use widely sanctioned, there are growing concerns about increases in cannabis use disorder (CanUD), which is associated with numerous medical comorbidities. A genetically informed causal relationship analysis indicated a possible effect of genetic liability for CanUD on lung cancer risk, suggesting potential unanticipated future medical and psychiatric public health consequences.
This study yields new insights into the genetic architecture of CanUD and how this risk interacts with traits crucial to public health and raises important concerns regarding the potential adverse consequences of the secular trend toward increased cannabis use consequent to legalization. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-023-01563-z
- Details
- Hits: 786
Abstract
Context: Cannabis use among the general population has increased over time, in part due to decriminalization of use and greater social acceptance of cannabis use. These changes have contributed to increased availability of cannabis products, thus raising the likelihood that a subset of adolescent and young adult athletes will use cannabis. Therefore, it is imperative that clinicians and other providers working with young athletes have a thorough understanding of the impact cannabis can have on the athletic performance and overall health of a young athlete.
Survey studies suggest that up to 1 in 4 athletes have used cannabis at least once in the last year. Age, sex, race, sexual orientation, level of competition, and country of residence of an athlete all contribute to differing rates of cannabis use among athletes. The scientific literature does not support using cannabis for athletic performance, and multiple studies have demonstrated notable impairments in objective athletic performance measures. Cannabis use can also negatively impact an athlete’s overall health via cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and mental health symptoms and disorders.
Conclusion: Cannabis use among adolescent and young adult athletes is common, and rates of use are influenced by many different factors. Current evidence suggests that cannabis use can worsen sport performance, negatively impact an athlete’s general health, and contribute to negative mental health outcomes. (Source: Cannabis Use in Adolescent and Young Adult Athletes: A Clinical Review 2023 (sagepub.com)
- Details
- Hits: 864
'Legal High, Marijuana light'?: Mislabelled & Illegal CBD Products sold at convenience stores test like Marijuana –The chaos of toxic cannabis legalisation failure.
These openly sold toxins are not only illegal, but incredibly dangerous to both users and non-users.
Watch Report: https://youtu.be/ZOvtqvtCF00?si=QCbb7mmBrna7c14q
- Details
- Hits: 910
Associations between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and affective psychiatric illnesses are understudied. Researchers analyzed registry data from Danish persons ≥16 years old between 1995 and 2021 to examine the associations between CUD diagnosis and subsequent diagnoses of major depressive disorder (unipolar depression) and bipolar disorder, including psychotic and non-psychotic subtypes of each illness.
- Of the 6,651,765 persons (50 percent female) analyzed, 1 percent (n=60,696) were diagnosed with CUD and 4 percent (n=260,746) were diagnosed with an affective disorder over the study period.
- There was an increased risk of developing both psychotic depression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.97) and nonpsychotic depression (aHR, 1.83) among persons with CUD compared with those without CUD.
- There was an increased risk of developing psychotic bipolar disorder (aHR, 4.05) and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder (aHR, 2.96 for men; aHR, 2.60 for women) among persons with CUD compared with those without CUD.
- Risk of developing an affective illness was highest within the first 6 months of CUD diagnosis for both unipolar depression and bipolar disorder, but the risk of developing either affective illness disorder remained elevated for 10 years following CUD diagnosis.
Comments: These data suggest that CUD is associated with an increased risk of developing both psychotic and nonpsychotic major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, although a causal link has not been established. As cannabis use and CUD become increasingly prevalent, clinicians should be aware that patients with CUD may have higher likelihood of developing affective illnesses.
- The Evidence Continues to Mount – Cannabis Use is Harmful for ALL Adolescents
- Cannabidiol (CBD) products for pain: ineffective, expensive, and with potential harms
- Contaminants in cannabis and hemp flowers create potential for health risks.
- The 'High' Cost of Cannabis Hyperemesis - The 'smokescreen' of denial crippling health systems.