Researchers have identified a powerful combination of drugs that may help treat alcoholism by reducing cravings and blocking relapse. The dual treatment virtually wiped out binge drinking and heavy drinking in an animal model of alcohol addiction. Key Facts: Rats treated with both a probiotic and antioxidants showed a dramatic 90% decrease in relapse-like binge …
A new study looked at the side effects people report from using delta-8-THC products and found that most match the side effects seen with regular cannabis. This suggests delta-8-THC acts on the brain in a similar way as the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, delta-9-THC. Key Facts: Delta-8-THC is a compound derived from hemp that …
Cannabidiol (CBD) has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for a variety of mental health conditions. Here’s a quick rundown of the key facts: CBD is a non-intoxicating compound derived from the cannabis plant It has antipsychotic, anti-anxiety, and potential antidepressant effects CBD shows promise for schizophrenia, cannabis addiction, anxiety disorders, autism symptoms, and more …
A new Canadian study reveals that illicit cannabis contains concerning levels of pesticides, while legal cannabis products meet health safety standards. Key Facts: The study tested 327 different pesticides in legal and illegal dried cannabis samples from across Canada. 92% of illegal samples contained pesticides, compared to just 6% of legal samples. Illegal cannabis contained …
A new study provides preliminary evidence that MDMA-assisted therapy may help reduce alcohol use in people with severe PTSD. Key facts: MDMA-assisted therapy was tested in a phase 3 clinical trial for treating severe PTSD. Participants were allowed to have mild alcohol or cannabis use disorder. Compared to placebo therapy, MDMA therapy led to greater …
Depression and cognitive deficits are common health issues that impact millions of people. Scientists are testing a new drug, NSI-189, to see if it can help treat depression and improve thinking ability. Early research shows promise that NSI-189 may be able to grow new brain cells and connections, which could potentially treat depression and boost …
Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer increasingly being found in illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl. This veterinary medication is not approved for human use but is linked to growing overdose deaths across the United States. Key Facts: Xylazine is a veterinary medication used to sedate large animals like horses and cattle. It is not approved …
Researchers have tested an existing medication, modafinil, for treating cocaine addiction. The results show that modafinil can significantly reduce cocaine use, but its effectiveness depends on the situation and circumstances when cocaine is used. Key facts: Modafinil reduced cocaine use when cocaine was costly and no cocaine had been used recently. Modafinil did not reduce …
A new study finds that cannabis use disorder is prevalent among adults who use cannabis for medical or nonmedical reasons in Washington state, where recreational cannabis use is legal. The research shows that over 20% of primary care patients who reported cannabis use met criteria for cannabis use disorder, with over 6% having moderate to …
Depression is one of the most common and burdensome mental health disorders globally, affecting over 300 million people. While antidepressant medications can help many patients recover, up to a third do not respond adequately to first-line treatments. This has led doctors to try combining medications in the hopes of better outcomes. One such combination that …
