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Renewed interest in psychedelics as potential addiction therapies

After years of being seen as dangerous "party drugs," psychedelic substances are receiving renewed attention as therapies for addiction -- but far more research is needed, according to a new special series of articles in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, published at Rutgers University.

26 Aug 2024

Study highlights mental health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination

Findings indicate COVID-19 vaccination reduces mental health illness incidence, particularly among those with prior mental health issues and older adults.

26 Aug 2024

GPePV neurons identified as key players in controlling cocaine addiction behaviors

Researchers examine how GPePV cells regulate cocaine-induced behaviors through interactions with ventral tegmental area dopamine cells.

25 Aug 2024

Trump drastically inflates annual fentanyl death numbers

Former President Donald Trump claimed at a recent campaign rally that more than 300,000 Americans are dying each year from the synthetic opioid drug fentanyl, and that the number of fentanyl overdoses was the "lowest" during his administration and has skyrocketed since.

23 Aug 2024

Exploring opioid prescription trends in chronic cough treatment

Chronic cough, with symptoms lasting more than eight weeks, affects approximately one in 10 adults. Cough is among the most common reasons for seeking medical care in the United States, yet chronic cough is difficult to treat. One of the largest studies of chronic cough and one of the first to explore the use of opioids, which are known to suppress cough, to treat these patients, has found that 20 percent of patients with chronic cough received a prescription for a cough suppressant containing an opioid.

23 Aug 2024

Playing video games for a couple of hours a day can improve mental health

Researchers investigate the impact of video gaming on psychological health in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Aug 2024

The lingering mental health effects of severe COVID-19

A new study that examined health data on 18 million people reveals a higher incidence of mental illnesses for up to a year following severe COVID-19 in unvaccinated people. Vaccination appeared to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on mental illnesses. The University of Bristol-led study, published in JAMA Psychiatry on August 21st, 2024, investigated associations of COVID-19 with mental illnesses according to time since diagnosis and vaccination status.

22 Aug 2024

Exploring the impact of xylazine on wound care needs

The animal tranquilizer xylazine is increasingly found in the illicit opioid supply nationwide, leading to severe wounds among people who use drugs. New research led by a University of Pittsburgh physician-scientist and published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence seeks to understand the wound care experiences of this population.

22 Aug 2024

Simplified smoking test proves reliable for predicting abstinence in cancer patients

Data from nearly 6000 smokers with cancer show that it may be easier to predict who will stop smoking than was previously thought.

20 Aug 2024

Harris-Walz ticket sharpens contrast with Trump-Vance on health care

Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate is making health care a front-burner issue in the final sprint to the November presidential election.

19 Aug 2024

NIH initiative empowers Native American communities in public health research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a program that will support Native American communities to lead public health research to address overdose, substance use, and pain, including related factors such as mental health and wellness.

15 Aug 2024

Study shows how segregated communities face challenges in filling OUD medications

Patients with a prescription for an opioid use disorder medication may have a tough time getting it filled if their pharmacy is in a community that's racially and economically segregated, according to a new study led by scientists at Oregon State University and Johns Hopkins University.

14 Aug 2024

Study reveals how salt-based nicotine and menthol flavors influence e-cigarette use in young adults

Study found that salt-based nicotine and menthol flavoring in e-cigarettes significantly increase nicotine levels and positive experiences among young adults, potentially heightening addiction risks.

14 Aug 2024

Childhood sleep patterns may influence adolescent alcohol and marijuana use

A good night's sleep is essential for children's health and development, but childhood sleep patterns may also be linked to future substance use.

13 Aug 2024

Human dopamine transporter structure with cocaine revealed, unlocking addiction insights

Researchers have resolved the high-resolution structure of the human dopamine transporter bound to cocaine, providing critical insights into the molecular basis of cocaine's addictive properties.

12 Aug 2024

MUSC researchers uncover the surprising role of the dorsal peduncular nucleus in opioid addiction

Opioids, like the commonly prescribed pain reliever oxycodone, are known for being highly addictive. In 2022, nearly 85,000 people died from an opioid overdose in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease control.

12 Aug 2024

Simplified test effective in predicting smoking addiction in cancer patients

Data from nearly 6000 smokers with cancer show that it may be easier to predict who will stop smoking than was previously thought.

12 Aug 2024

Can a text message program help teens quit vaping?

Study demonstrates that a text message-based program significantly boosts quitting rates among teenage vapers, achieving a 35% higher cessation rate compared to controls.

11 Aug 2024

Legislative changes improve mental health care access for pregnant and postpartum women

Pregnant and postpartum women with depression and anxiety have a slightly better chance of getting psychotherapy these days, a new study finds. And they are paying less of their own money when they do.

9 Aug 2024

Review reveals high rates of opioid dependence among chronic pain patients

A new scientific review of 148 studies enrolling over 4.3 million adult chronic pain patients treated with prescription opioid painkillers has found that nearly one in ten patients experiences opioid dependence or opioid use disorder and nearly one in three shows symptoms of dependence and opioid use disorder.

8 Aug 2024

Addiction News and Research

Renewed interest in psychedelics as potential addiction therapies

Study highlights mental health benefits of COVID-19 vaccination

GPePV neurons identified as key players in controlling cocaine addiction behaviors

Trump drastically inflates annual fentanyl death numbers

Exploring opioid prescription trends in chronic cough treatment

Playing video games for a couple of hours a day can improve mental health

The lingering mental health effects of severe COVID-19

Exploring the impact of xylazine on wound care needs

Simplified smoking test proves reliable for predicting abstinence in cancer patients

Harris-Walz ticket sharpens contrast with Trump-Vance on health care

NIH initiative empowers Native American communities in public health research

Study shows how segregated communities face challenges in filling OUD medications

Study reveals how salt-based nicotine and menthol flavors influence e-cigarette use in young adults

Childhood sleep patterns may influence adolescent alcohol and marijuana use

Human dopamine transporter structure with cocaine revealed, unlocking addiction insights

MUSC researchers uncover the surprising role of the dorsal peduncular nucleus in opioid addiction

Simplified test effective in predicting smoking addiction in cancer patients

Can a text message program help teens quit vaping?

Legislative changes improve mental health care access for pregnant and postpartum women

Review reveals high rates of opioid dependence among chronic pain patients

Lab Matters host Harriet Gould on building a more connected lab community

The Critical Role of Sample Storage in Drug Discovery and Development

Advancing Neuroscience Research Through Collaboration and Patient-Centered Innovation

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