All posts tagged: Cannabis

Using cannabis to cut back on alcohol? Your working memory might dictate if it works

Using cannabis to cut back on alcohol? Your working memory might dictate if it works

Published by José Betancourt

A study of individuals reporting heavy alcohol and cannabis use found that individuals with average and higher working memory tend to have a significantly lower urge to drink alcohol after smoking cannabis with 7.2% THC compared to a placebo. This effect was absent when the THC concentration in the cannabis was 3.1%. Lower working memory capacity was associated with a higher urge to drink alcohol overall. The research was published in Addictive Behaviors. Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition characterized by a problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to significant impairment or distress. It involves symptoms such as difficulty controlling drinking, strong cravings for alcohol, continued use despite negative consequences, and tolerance or withdrawal. Studies indicate that 47.5% of individuals over the age of 12 in the U.S. report alcohol use in the past month, and 10.2% of those reporting past-year alcohol use meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. Many individuals who use alcohol heavily also tend to use cannabis. Studies have found that the coadministration of alcohol and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), …

Girl Scouts highly unimpressed after New Jersey troop teams up with local cannabis dispensary to sell cookies

Girl Scouts highly unimpressed after New Jersey troop teams up with local cannabis dispensary to sell cookies

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Senior leaders at the Girl Scouts are reportedly displeased that a New Jersey troop teamed up with a local weed dispensary to sell their beloved cookies. Set up near Daylite Dispensary in Mount Laurel last month, the troop’s booth offered the full line-up of treats. Dispensary owner Steve Cassidy said the partnership was a massive success and drew people both to the booth and the cannabis shop. However, Cassidy said he had spoken to representatives from the organization about the incident, which had been intended as a positive venture, but may have landed the troop in hot water. “It was about community,” Cassidy told The Independent. “If that means the local Girl Scout troop got in trouble, that is absolutely not what we wanted.” …

Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex

Exploring the motivations for cannabis use during sex

Published by José Betancourt

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research provides evidence that young adults often use cannabis during sexual activity to enhance pleasure, reduce anxiety, and navigate societal expectations around gender. The findings suggest that conversations about combining sex and cannabis should move beyond focusing solely on the risks to acknowledge the roles of relaxation and sexual well-being. “Although cannabis is the second most commonly used substance during sex after alcohol, it has received relatively little attention in research and remains taboo in broader conversations about sexuality. Existing studies on the subject have also tended to focus primarily on risks and negative outcomes, often overlooking the important role that pleasure can play in young adults’ experiences and motivations for sex under the influence of cannabis,” said study author Maëlle Lefebvre, a PhD student at Université de Sherbrooke, who conducted this research at Université du Québec à Montréal. “In addition, little research has examined how these experiences are shaped by gender norms and expectations, which can influence how people navigate intimacy and substance use. As …

Teen cannabis use linked to psychosis and bipolar disorders in study : NPR

Teen cannabis use linked to psychosis and bipolar disorders in study : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Many young people have the impression that marijuana is a safe and natural drug, but a new study links early use to an increased likelihood of serious mental health problems. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images As marijuana use among teens has grown in the past decade, researchers have been trying to better understand the health risks of the drug. Now, a new longitudinal study finds that cannabis use among adolescents increases risks of being diagnosed with bipolar and psychotic disorders, as well as anxiety and depression, years later. “This is very, very, very worrying,” says psychiatrist Dr. Ryan Sultan at Columbia University, a cannabis researcher who wasn’t involved in the new study published in the latest JAMA Health Forum. Strong study design Researchers analyzed health data on 460,000 teenagers in the Kaiser Permanente Health System in Northern California. The teens were followed until they were 25 years old. The data included annual screenings for substance use and any mental health diagnoses from the health records. Researchers excluded the adolescents who …

Smoking Fentanyl, Cannabis, Methamphetamine, or Tobacco

Smoking Fentanyl, Cannabis, Methamphetamine, or Tobacco

Published by Jenni Sidey

Some experts have mischaracterized smoking fentanyl as “safer” than injecting, seeking to reduce risks among users. Narrowly considered, the statement is accurate, as inhalation avoids needle-sharing, reducing risks for HIV, hepatitis C, bacteremia, abscess formation, and infective endocarditis among users. However, there’s no clinical-trial–level evidence (randomized trials with real patients) showing smoking illicit fentanyl is safer than injecting it. It isn’t, and that conclusion is unsupported by toxicology, environmental exposure science, or emerging data. Smoking fentanyl also may facilitate speedballing, as with methamphetamine plus fentanyl. Smoking fentanyl is akin to injection without a needle, but in addition to this, smoking creates environmental contamination and major exposure risks. Evidence from tobacco, cannabis, methamphetamine, and household opioid-smoking indicates such risks exist, not only to users, but also to anyone living in or frequenting the same environment. Secondhand tobacco smoke is firmly established as a cause of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, asthma exacerbations, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and sudden infant death syndrome. More recently, “third-hand” smoke—residual nicotine and combustion byproducts persisting on walls, carpets, clothing, and dust—is recognized as …

Cannabis use associated with better decision-making skills in people with bipolar disorder

Cannabis use associated with better decision-making skills in people with bipolar disorder

Published by José Betancourt

A new study published in Translational Psychiatry suggests that chronic cannabis use may not be associated with cognitive impairment in people with bipolar disorder, contrasting with its effects on healthy individuals. The findings indicate that people with bipolar disorder who use cannabis moderately may possess better decision-making skills than those with the disorder who do not use the drug. This research offers a potential explanation for why many individuals with this condition turn to cannabis for symptom management. Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition characterized by extreme shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels. These shifts typically range from periods of extremely energized behavior, known as manic episodes, to very sad or hopeless periods, known as depressive episodes. Beyond these emotional symptoms, the disorder is frequently accompanied by cognitive deficits. Individuals with bipolar disorder often struggle with goal-directed behaviors. This includes difficulties with decision-making and inhibitory control. These cognitive impairments can lead to impulsive actions and engagement in risky behaviors. These deficits can severely impact social relationships, occupational stability, and overall quality of …

Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order was just smoke

Trump’s cannabis rescheduling order was just smoke

Published by Sam Flores

In December, President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to fast-track the rescheduling of cannabis, a move that could open doors for research and cut red tape for businesses and consumers. Now the move is looking more like a public relations play than anything else, with opponents within the administration and the conservative movement gearing up for a fight as advocates for rescheduling say they expect it to take years — or decades — to resolve. Under the Controlled Substances Act, enacted by former President Richard Nixon, drugs are sorted into five different categories or schedules based, at least theoretically, on the risk they pose for harm or addictiveness versus their potential for medical use. Schedule I drugs are the most tightly controlled and allegedly dangerous substances, including heroin, LSD and marijuana, whereas Schedule V drugs like Lyrica are seen as less harmful in the eyes of the government. As it stands, marijuana extracts from the cannabis plant are lumped into Schedule I, which makes it incredibly complicated and expensive to study the drug …

Cannabis beverages may help people drink less alcohol

Cannabis beverages may help people drink less alcohol

Published by José Betancourt

Recent survey data suggests that cannabis-infused beverages may serve as an effective tool for individuals looking to curb their alcohol consumption. People who incorporated these drinks into their routines reported reducing their weekly alcohol intake and engaging in fewer episodes of binge drinking. The findings were published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. Alcohol consumption is a well-documented public health concern. It is linked to nearly 200 different health conditions. These include liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and various forms of cancer. While total abstinence is the most effective way to eliminate these risks, many adults choose not to stop drinking entirely. This reality has led public health experts to explore harm reduction strategies. The goal of harm reduction is to minimize the negative consequences of substance use without necessarily demanding complete sobriety. Cannabis is increasingly viewed through this harm reduction lens. It generally presents fewer physiological risks to the user compared to alcohol. The legalization of cannabis in many U.S. states has diversified the market beyond traditional smokable products. Consumers can now purchase cannabis-infused seltzers, …

Cannabis and Alcohol in Pregnancy

Cannabis and Alcohol in Pregnancy

Published by Jenni Sidey

If you’re pregnant, don’t drink any alcohol. Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy is a core message from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). No amount, timing, or type of alcohol is safe in pregnancy, and abstinence is always best. Cannabis use during pregnancy is also risky. However, for pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD), the CDC and National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommend medication with methadone or buprenorphine and therapy. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) leads to better outcomes for mother and baby. Starting MOUD early in pregnancy is crucial. Despite clear admonitions to avoid alcohol in pregnancy, U.S. surveillance data from large national surveys consistently demonstrate that alcohol use during pregnancy is common. CDC analyses of the National S urvey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) and related data show that 13% to14% of pregnant women had current alcohol use (during the past 30 days), and about 5% reported binge drinking. The figures represent hundreds of thousands of pregnancies annually with alcohol exposure. …

Elevate your munchies: A food lover’s guide to 4/20 cannabis cravings

Elevate your munchies: A food lover’s guide to 4/20 cannabis cravings

Published by Sam Flores

When Matt Bellassai appears in a TikTok video, visibly stoned and wielding a spatula, it’s not your typical munchies montage. The comedian’s “Baked Baking” series, which features Bellassai preparing intricate desserts while delightfully elevated, has racked up millions of views — and perhaps just as many cravings. It’s a jubilant rejection of the guilt-laden connotations often associated with cannabis and food. Instead of shame, there’s joy. Instead of instant noodles, pâte à choux. That shift reflects a broader cultural evolution. As of early 2025, medical marijuana is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., while 24 states allow recreational use. The legal cannabis market is projected to reach $76.39 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Alongside legalization has come a culinary renaissance — one where cannabis and cuisine are increasingly intertwined. “Munchies” once meant hastily melted cheese over cornflakes (surprisingly good, to be honest). Now, it means saffron-infused honey, cannabutter croissants or carefully paired terpenes and tasting menus. “The biological relationship that people have with both food and cannabis — and the cannabis …