All posts tagged: Cannabis

This New Air Purifier Filter Can Remove Cannabis Smoke Odor, Just in Time for 4/20

This New Air Purifier Filter Can Remove Cannabis Smoke Odor, Just in Time for 4/20

Published by skeptic

In the US and globally, April 20 has become an unofficial holiday for weed smokers. While vaping, gummies and edibles are increasingly popular, a fair number of people still light up for a smoke, and that can result in a lingering odor many find unpleasant. I’m one of those people, and GermGuardian’s new FLT420B air purifier filter is designed to filter out cannabis smoke more effectively than regular air purifier filters.“As cannabis use becomes more widely accepted, we recognized a real gap in the market for a filter purpose-built to tackle cannabis smoke odors, not just mask them,” said Rukky Ojakovo, senior director of heaters and air quality at Guardian Technologies. “In our two-week in-home test, over 90% of users rated it very effective at reducing cannabis odor.” I’ve been using the FLT420B filter in my home with a GermGuardian AC4880B air purifier for several weeks now, and I’ve been impressed with just how effectively it tackles smoke odors. In my case, the odor is more from cigarette smoke than marijuana (I had the great misfortunate …

Cannabis intoxication broadly impairs multiple memory types, new study shows

Cannabis intoxication broadly impairs multiple memory types, new study shows

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that using cannabis has widespread negative effects on many different types of memory. The findings provide evidence that getting high impairs everyday cognitive functions, like remembering to perform future tasks or recalling the exact sequence of past events. “It is well established in the empirical literature that acute cannabis intoxication is detrimental to memory,” said study author Carrie Cuttler, an associate professor at Washington State University and a co-director of WSU’s Cannabis Research Center. “However, the bulk of prior research examining the acute effects of cannabis on memory in humans has focused on a relatively narrow set of memory tests primarily verbal memory tasks, which involve recalling lists of words, and working memory tasks, which require temporarily holding and manipulating information in consciousness. “Far fewer studies have examined how cannabis affects other types of memory that are more relevant to everyday life. These include temporal order memory (remembering the order in which events occurred), prospective memory (remembering to perform tasks in the future), source memory (remembering where information came from), false memory (recalling information …

Smoked cannabis reduces immediate alcohol consumption in controlled laboratory trial

Smoked cannabis reduces immediate alcohol consumption in controlled laboratory trial

Published by José Betancourt

Smoked cannabis directly reduced the amount of alcohol heavy drinkers consumed during a controlled laboratory experiment. The research indicates that acute marijuana intoxication may decrease the immediate urge to drink and delay the onset of alcohol consumption. These findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Public health experts track the concurrent use of alcohol and cannabis closely. Across the country, expanding legalization has made cannabis the most popular psychoactive substance after tobacco for people who consume alcohol. Many individuals engage in both habits, and a strong overlap exists between those who struggle with alcohol use and those who face challenges regulating their cannabis intake. In recent years, a social trend has emerged where people attempt to manage their alcohol habits by substituting cannabis instead. Pop culture sometimes refers to this practice as becoming “California sober.” This movement aligns with a broader push toward harm reduction, and it has fueled a rapid expansion in the market for cannabis-infused beverages marketed as alcohol alternatives. Despite this cultural shift, previous observational studies produced conflicting results regarding …

High times or low blows? Experts fail to clear air over German drug legalisation | Cannabis

High times or low blows? Experts fail to clear air over German drug legalisation | Cannabis

Published by Sam Flores

It was a landmark piece of legislation passed by Germany’s previous, centre-left-led government: a measure that legalised the personal recreational use of cannabis for over-18s despite warnings from critics it would cause a steep rise in the drug’s use, including by teenagers, and boost criminal gangs. Two years on, controversy over the move has still not been stubbed out, with critics and proponents at odds over its impact on consumption, youth welfare and organised crime. Preliminary results from an ongoing study into the policy’s consequences, released on Wednesday, provided a mixed picture, with enough ammunition for each side to claim vindication. The MPs Carmen Wegge and Christos Pantazis of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) said the analysis to date showed that partial legalisation was the right approach. “The dramatic negative effects on consumption patterns or public health feared by critics have not materialised. In fact, consumption among young people is declining and the burden on police and the judiciary has been significantly reduced,” they said in a statement. The health minister, Nina Warken of the …

Influencer tried to smuggle £150k of cannabis into Edinburgh

Influencer tried to smuggle £150k of cannabis into Edinburgh

Published by Sam Flores

A social media influencer is facing a jail sentence after attempting to smuggle more than £150,000 of cannabis through Edinburgh Airport. Ellie Crampsie was found to have over 17kg of the Class B drug stashed in her luggage as she travelled home from a holiday in Thailand last year. Ms Crampsie was arrested at the airport and she pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis to others when she appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on March 26, 2026. Ms Crampsie, of Broomhouse, Glasgow, has a large social media following and is prominent in the Glasgow nightlife and events scene, where she promotes several brands. The 23-year-old also runs her own beauty business. Emma Laing, prosecuting, told the court Ms Crampsie had flown on an Air France flight to the Scottish capital from Thailand via Paris and was stopped by Border Force officers on April 16 last year. Ms Laing said: “She was asked the usual questions by the officer and she confirmed she had travelled from Thailand. “Her luggage was opened and …

Cannabis use exacerbates paranoia in survivors of chaotic childhoods, new study suggests

Cannabis use exacerbates paranoia in survivors of chaotic childhoods, new study suggests

Published by José Betancourt

An analysis of Cannabis & Me study data found that childhood trauma, particularly emotional and physical abuse, is strongly associated with paranoia. Furthermore, the study revealed that heavy cannabis use amplifies these symptoms, acting as a multiplier for trauma-induced paranoia. The paper was published in Psychological Medicine. Paranoia is a psychological condition characterized by persistent and irrational distrust or suspicion of others. It involves the belief that other people have harmful intentions, even when there is little or no evidence to support this. Individuals experiencing paranoia tend to interpret neutral or ambiguous situations as threatening or personally directed against them. Paranoia is a core feature of psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and paranoid personality disorder. Stress, trauma, and substance use—including cannabis—can significantly contribute to the development of paranoia. People experiencing paranoia tend to become socially withdrawn because they find it difficult to trust others, and their relationships often suffer due to constant suspicion and the misinterpretation of others’ actions. Study author Giulia Trotta and her colleagues wanted to explore the relationship between childhood …

Co-occurring depression and cannabis use linked to less efficient brain networks

Co-occurring depression and cannabis use linked to less efficient brain networks

Published by José Betancourt

New research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence provides evidence that experiencing depression symptoms alongside cannabis use is linked to less efficient communication across the brain compared to cannabis use alone. The study suggests that while cannabis use tends to increase overall connectivity in the brain, the presence of depression weakens this effect, resulting in a less integrated brain network. Scientists conducted this study to better understand the underlying biology of why cannabis use and depression frequently occur together. Heavy or chronic cannabis use might increase the risk of developing depression, while individuals experiencing depression often turn to cannabis to self-medicate. Both cannabis use and depression individually alter the way different areas of the brain communicate with each other. This baseline brain communication is known as resting-state functional connectivity, which refers to the brain activity that happens when a person is awake but not focused on a specific task. Prior studies have shown changes in resting-state connectivity in people who use cannabis and in those with depression, but the combined effect of both factors on …

People with cannabis disorder do not seem to pay increased attention to pictures of cannabis

People with cannabis disorder do not seem to pay increased attention to pictures of cannabis

Published by José Betancourt

A study of individuals with cannabis use disorder in Australia did not find evidence that they pay more attention to pictures of cannabis compared to individuals not suffering from that disorder. The paper was published in Comprehensive Psychiatry. Cannabis use disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a problematic pattern of cannabis use that leads to significant impairment or distress. It occurs when a person continues using cannabis despite experiencing negative consequences in daily life. Individuals with this disorder may have difficulty controlling how often or how much cannabis they use. They may spend a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of cannabis. Another common feature is craving, which refers to a strong desire or urge to use the substance. People with cannabis use disorder tend to also develop tolerance, meaning they need larger amounts of cannabis to achieve the same effects. Some individuals experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, sleep problems, or reduced appetite when they stop using cannabis. The disorder can interfere with responsibilities at work, school, or …

Little research to support cannabis for mental health conditions : NPR

Little research to support cannabis for mental health conditions : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

While many people turn to cannabis to help with mental health conditions, the scientific evidence is scant. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Along with chronic pain, mental health conditions are some of the top reasons people use marijuana for medical purposes. But a sweeping review of cannabis studies over the past 45 years concludes there is little to no high-quality evidence showing this is effective. The findings, published in the medical journal The Lancet Psychiatry, underscore the extent to which the public’s embrace of cannabis has outpaced the scientific research. The new analysis represents the largest effort yet to systematically parse all the data from randomized-controlled trials on cannabis and mental health. A team of researchers in Australia looked at more than 50 clinical trials, considering a wide range of conditions, formulations and types of cannabinoids. The analysis turned up no evidence that cannabis can help with symptoms of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or depression — the psychiatric conditions that medical marijuana users most often mention when asked why they’re …

A massive review reveals cannabis falls short in treating psychiatric disorders

A massive review reveals cannabis falls short in treating psychiatric disorders

Published by José Betancourt

Despite the rising popularity of medical cannabis for mental health and addiction, a new sweeping review shows little proof that these products actually help treat most of these conditions. The comprehensive analysis reveals that while cannabis-based medicines might offer mild relief for a handful of specific issues, they do not improve conditions like depression or anxiety and carry a greater risk of side effects. These findings were recently published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry. Cannabinoids are the active chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. The most well-known of these are tetrahydrocannabinol, which produces the high associated with marijuana, and cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound often sold as a wellness product. In recent years, an increasing number of people have turned to these substances to manage their mental health. In the United States and Canada, roughly 27 percent of people between the ages of 16 and 65 report using cannabis for medical reasons. About half of those individuals use it specifically to treat mental health struggles. In Australia, prescription approvals for cannabinoid medications have soared, …