Abstinence News and Research

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Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging a desire or appetite for certain bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to abstention from sexual intercourse, alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical considerations.

Can pregnant mothers trust online nutrition advice?

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5 Jun 2025

Promoting more respectful and inclusive care in reproductive health cinics

Millions of young women around the world face stigma and bias when seeking reproductive health services, often limiting their access to contraception and quality care.

3 Jun 2025

Cannabis use during pregnancy linked to higher risk of infant complications

An updated systematic review finds that consuming cannabis while pregnant appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight and infant death.

5 May 2025

Researchers uncover how substance use accelerates brain aging

In a comprehensive Genomic Press Interview, researchers from UTHealth Houston have uncovered crucial evidence that substance use disorders (SUDs) accelerate biological aging in the brain through distinct molecular mechanisms.

29 Apr 2025

Why your heart works harder at night after a few drinks, according to new research

Researchers at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich found that moderate alcohol consumption transiently raises nocturnal resting heart rate without altering objective sleep stages. However, it worsens subjective sleep quality, highlighting subtle cardiovascular stress even at low alcohol doses.

28 Apr 2025

FDA approved anti-inflammatory drug shows promise for treating alcohol use disorder and pain

A preclinical study from scientists at Scripps Research finds that a drug already FDA-approved for treating inflammatory conditions may help reduce both alcohol intake and pain sensitivity-two issues that commonly co-occur with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

22 Apr 2025

Alcohol reshapes reward learning differently in male and female rats

Chronic alcohol exposure causes lasting impairments in decision-making in male rats, altering how the brain processes reward-based learning. A new study reveals sex-specific neural changes in the striatum, with female rats showing resilience despite altered brain activity.

10 Apr 2025

Oklahoma Children's Hospital improves care for babies with neonatal abstinence syndrome

In years past, health care providers took a punitive stance toward women giving birth to babies exposed to substances like opioids in the womb.

9 Apr 2025

Bridging the digital divide to improve heart health for all

The use of technology-based health solutions, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches and mobile health apps, has shown potential to help people improve management of their cardiovascular health.

7 Apr 2025

Vaping might cut cigarettes, but won't help smokers quit nicotine for good

A large US study finds daily vaping doesn't boost long-term smoking cessation, and non-daily vaping actively reduces quit rates. E-cigarettes may prolong nicotine dependence rather than aiding smokers to quit.

6 Mar 2025

Does abstaining from social media make us happier people? Probably not

This meta-analysis finds no evidence that social media abstinence boosts happiness or life satisfaction, highlighting gaps in current research on well-being.

6 Mar 2025

Research debunks belief that e-cigarettes support smoking cessation

Researchers at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego have found that, among smokers in the United States, e-cigarette use does not increase smoking cessation and is actually associated with reduced tobacco abstinence.

5 Mar 2025

Spanish-language Android app created to help Hispanic smokers quit

University of Houston researchers have created a first-of-its-kind, Spanish-language Android app called Impacto, designed specifically to help Hispanic smokers quit with guidance designed to reflect their cultural experiences.

13 Feb 2025

Low-dose semaglutide reduces alcohol consumption and cravings in early trial

Research reveals semaglutide's effectiveness in decreasing alcohol consumption and cravings, highlighting its potential for treating alcohol use disorder.

13 Feb 2025

Structural brain differences in adolescents may play a role in early initiation of substance use

A study of nearly 10,000 adolescents funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified distinct differences in the brain structures of those who used substances before age 15 compared to those who did not.

30 Dec 2024

How are states spending opioid settlement cash? We built a database of answers

In the past few years, state and local governments across the U.S. have begun spending billions in opioid settlements paid by companies accused of fueling the overdose crisis. But where is that money going, who is getting it, and is it doing any good?

16 Dec 2024

Breaking the vape habit: Challenges faced by young adult users

A randomized clinical trial explored the characteristics of young adult exclusive e-cigarette users seeking treatment, revealing high dependence levels, significant behavioral health concerns, and common usage of nicotine replacement therapies. Findings underscore the need for tailored cessation strategies targeting young adults.

15 Dec 2024