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A new Canadian study found that emergency room visits for car accidents involving marijuana (cannabis) use have increased significantly since recreational cannabis was legalized in 2018. The study raises concerns about the impacts of legalization and the comme…
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A new study reveals that the recreational drugs MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly) and methamphetamine can increase feelings of connection and closeness with strangers during conversations. Key Facts: MDMA and methamphetamine were tested on separate groups…
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Researchers have discovered that the wakefulness-promoting drug modafinil causes changes in brain activity patterns when people are at rest. These findings provide new insights into how this medication works in the brain. Key Facts: Modafinil is a medication u…
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Phenibut is an experimental drug that was discovered in Russia in the 1960s and has shown promise as a treatment for anxiety, improving brain function, and enhancing quality of life. Key facts about phenibut: It is derived from gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA),…
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Recreational drug use is constantly evolving, with new substances emerging and old drugs being used in new ways. This can pose risks, especially for the developing adolescent brain. Key Facts: Use of designer opioids like fentanyl is skyrocketing, causing a ri…
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The brain is protected by something called the blood-brain barrier that makes it hard for drugs to reach the brain from the bloodstream. But new research shows that delivering drugs through the nose could be an effective way to bypass the blood-brain barrier a…
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A new drug recently approved for Alzheimer’s disease aims to treat the underlying cause of the condition by removing amyloid plaques in the brain. Though promising, the drug called aducanumab also comes with potential side effects that require careful monitori…
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A new study finds that drinking a small amount of caffeine in the morning may improve alertness, memory, and attention in healthy young men. The caffeine dose was equivalent to about one cup of coffee. Key Facts: 25 healthy young men drank either a placebo or…
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Experiencing chronic stress or taking addictive drugs like cocaine can change your brain and behavior in similar ways, making you prone to anxiety or addiction. Key Facts: Chronic stress and chronic drug abuse both impair the striatum, which can make people be…
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Prescription opioid painkillers like oxycodone can be very addictive. People who use them for a long time often have trouble stopping, even if the drugs start causing problems. A new study tested a drug that blocks brain signals that keep people wanting opioid…
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