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Widespread cannabis use linked to increase in psychiatric disorders, UMSOM review finds

The widespread use of cannabis (marijuana) and its increased potency are associated with a rise in cannabis-related psychiatric conditions, according to a new University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) review article that was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

19 Dec 2023

Rising cannabis use among adults with severe psychological distress linked to increased psychiatric care

Study examines the increasing trend of cannabis use among U.S. adults with severe psychological distress (SPD) from 2009-2019, revealing a significant link to increased psychiatric hospitalizations and outpatient mental health care.

18 Dec 2023

The impact of racism on mental health disparities experienced by Black people in the United States

A series of literature reviews published online December 13 in The Lancet Psychiatry journal highlight the large body of evidence on the role played by racism in mental health disparities experienced by Black people living in the United States.

14 Dec 2023

Adolescent illicit drug use stays below pre-pandemic levels in 2023, survey finds

The percentage of teenagers reporting they used any illicit substances in 2023 held steady below the pre-pandemic levels reported in 2020, according to the latest results from the Monitoring the Future survey.

13 Dec 2023

Infective endocarditis deaths spike among young adults, research shows

Death rates related to infective endocarditis declined in most adults across the U.S. within the last two decades, yet accelerated among young adults ages 25 to 44 years old, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

13 Dec 2023

Vegetarian diet linked to lower risk of insomnia, study suggests

Study reveals that following a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of insomnia, particularly in men, potentially due to higher intakes of healthful plant-based foods and lower consumption of animal products.

12 Dec 2023

Study shows decline in post-surgery opioid prescriptions, but urges continued efforts

Post-surgery pain relief has shifted away from opioid-containing medications over the past seven years, but the downward trend has slowed since 2020, a new study shows.

7 Dec 2023

Promising candidate medication for preventing and reversing fentanyl-induced overdose

Researchers assessed CSX-1004, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), for its efficacy in reversing fentanyl overdose based on its high affinity for fentanyl, positive animal model results, and safe pharmacokinetic profile, positioning it as a potential solution in the opioid crisis.

7 Dec 2023

Cannabis and alcohol co-use disrupts brain development and impairs memory

The increased legalization of cannabis over the past several years can potentially increase its co-use with alcohol. Concerningly, very few studies have looked at the effects of these two drugs when used in combination.

30 Nov 2023

More than half of low-income unmarried couples have positive co-parenting relationships

Despite the many challenges they face, slightly more than half of unmarried low-income couples with children have positive co-parenting relationships, a new study found.

27 Nov 2023

Oral nicotine pouches fail to satisfy cravings of current smokers

Oral nicotine pouches, a tobacco-leaf-free product marketed as an alternative to cigarettes, do little to curb current smokers' nicotine cravings, according to a new study.

15 Nov 2023

COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress toward ending HIV epidemic in the U.S.

The COVID-19 pandemic slowed previous gains made in controlling HIV blood levels and worsened health disparities, according to UC Francisco researchers leading the largest U.S. evaluation of the impact of the public health crisis on people with HIV.

14 Nov 2023

Researchers identify predictive brain imaging-based biomarkers of mental illness in adolescents

Research and treatment of psychiatric disorders are stymied by a lack of biomarkers - objective biological or physiological markers that can help diagnose, track, predict, and treat diseases.

9 Nov 2023

NIH awards $2.1 million to UCLA to end the HIV epidemic

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has granted $2.1 million to UCLA's Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services (CHIPTS) and the UCLA-CDU Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) to support four research projects and an implementation science consultation hub.

2 Nov 2023

E-cigarette flavor restrictions may increase cigarette sales, study finds

The immense popularity of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, among young people has led many policymakers to restrict the sale of flavored varieties.

18 Oct 2023

Telehealth may improve access and retention for opioid use disorder treatment

Starting buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder through telehealth was associated with an increased likelihood of staying in treatment longer compared to starting treatment in a non-telehealth setting, according to a new study analyzing Medicaid data from 2019-2020 in Kentucky and Ohio.

18 Oct 2023

University of Kentucky selected as the nationwide coordination center for NIH racial equity initiative

The University of Kentucky has been selected as the nationwide coordination center for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative. Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D., will lead the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Racial Equity Initiative as principal investigator.

13 Oct 2023