WHEN DO CHILDREN START EXPERIMENTING WITH MARIJUANA?
One unfortunate story we have heard in the news is how teenagers and young adults love to experiment with marijuana. Still, have you ever wondered when they first get the idea to start? Research has indicated that a variety of factors ranging from peer pressure to the availability of the drug can play a huge […]
The Deception of “Light” or “Ultra-Light” Cigarettes
If you ever smoked cigarettes or were close to a smoker, then you are probably aware of something called a “light” cigarette. As an alternative (if you can call it that) to traditional cigarettes, these lighter varieties, also branded as “ultra-light” or “mild,” were marketed as healthier, low-tobacco options for smokers who were sick and […]
CONSIDERING IF MARIJUANA BLUNTS ARE MORE HAZARDOUS THAN TOBACCO CIGARETTES
Let’s be honest. Smoking itself is a dangerous and risky habit (and can deal more damage if a person becomes addicted to the substance in question). However, for this conversation, let’s consider the differences between marijuana blunts (another name for pot cigars) and tobacco cigarettes, perhaps the two most common and easy-to-make smoking tools available […]
HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF MARIJUANA ABUSE AND ADDICTION
Recently, medical marijuana has been legalized in many states, while the drug has now entered a recreational status in several U.S. cities. Nevertheless, marijuana is still one of the most prominent illegal drugs and a potentially addictive substance in our country. Cancer patients and accident victims may find relief after consuming the prescription version of […]
CAN MARIJUANA HELP WITH SLEEP PROBLEMS?
Marijuana has a variety of medical uses, although opinions vary on how effective they are and whether it should even be legal. Probably the best-known medicinal use is for the treatment of glaucoma, but people also use cannabis to treat nausea and pain. Now, researchers are asking whether it might be helpful as a sleep […]
HOW CBD OIL AFFECTS MARIJUANA ADDICTION IN CALIFORNIA
Although marijuana cannot be physically addicting, it can be a mental vice due to the feelings it evokes. If you or a loved one suffers from a marijuana dependency, CBD oil can be a great alternative to help ween off of the substance. It can also be used for a wide range of purposes including […]
NIDA SCIENTISTS TARGET PROTEIN TO DEVELOP MEDICATION FOR COCAINE USE DISORDERS
Over the past couple of months, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has made notable progress in the field of addiction studies. In a remarkable study, scientists discovered that rats that had previously been exposed to addictive substances (methamphetamine and cocaine) were naturally inclined to seek friendship over drug use. Likewise, additional studies targeted a […]
MDMA CAN MAKE EVEN THE ANTISOCIAL OCTOPUS FEEL FRIENDLY
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that giving MDMA to octopuses can make the normally antisocial creatures friendly and even affectionate. If your first thought upon hearing that news was “Who cares?” or “Why would anyone do that to an octopus,” well, you’re probably not alone. As it turns out, however, humans and octopuses […]
AN ANCIENT VIRUS MIGHT PLAY A ROLE IN ADDICTION
We’re always looking for the reasons behind addiction, in order to better understand how we might treat it. We know there are genetic and hereditary components, that gender and poverty can play a role, and that mental illness is a big contributor. Now, researchers think that an ancient retrovirus might explain why some people suffer […]
HOW YOUR GENES MAY DETERMINE THE SEVERITY OF ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL
Giving up habitual drinking may be one of the best decisions you can make. However, whether you are a binge drinker or a suffering alcoholic, the truth of the matter is that alcohol withdrawal (though natural and healthy) is not an easy process, at all. Symptoms can range from extremely mild to painfully severe, based […]