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Tag: Cannabis consumption

  • Study Finds Cannabis Users Have Lower Chance of Cognitive Decline | High Times

    Study Finds Cannabis Users Have Lower Chance of Cognitive Decline | High Times

    The use of cannabis was associated with lower rates of subjective cognitive decline (SCD), according to the findings of a new study from researchers affiliated with the State University of New York (SUNY). The research found that participants who use marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes reported less confusion and memory loss compared to those who do not use weed. 

    The new study, which was published online last month by the journal Current Alzheimer Research, found that recreational cannabis use had the most significant impact on cognitive decline.

    “Compared to non-users,” the authors wrote, “non-medical cannabis use was significantly associated with 96% decreased odds of SCD,” according to a report from Filter.

    People who used cannabis for medicinal reasons or for both recreational and medical purposes also showed “decreased odds of SCD.” However, the differences did not rise to the level of statistical significance.

    The authors of the study note that previous research has found a link between heavy cannabis use and cognitive performance. Past studies have shown that frequent or heavy marijuana use was associated with lower verbal recall performance, subjective memory complaints and lower cognitive function, among other signs of mental decline.

    “However, the cognitive implications of cannabis are not only determined by the frequency of cannabis consumption,” the researchers wrote, adding that other factors including the particular product used, method of consumption, and reason for use could also “impact the cognitive effects associated with cannabis use.”

    “Our study addresses these knowledge gaps by comprehensively examining how reason, frequency, and method of cannabis use are associated with SCD among US middle-aged and older adults,” the authors of the study added.

    To conduct the study, researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York analyzed health survey data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The researchers note that the system’s cognitive decline model “was restricted to respondents aged 45 years and older in Washington DC and 14 US states (GA, HI, MS, OR, PA, TN, TX, WI, CO, MD, MI, OH, OK, and NY).”

    The total sample included 4,744 observations with valid SCD responses.

    Survey Asked About Memory Lapses And Confusion

    The survey asked respondents, “During the past 12 months, have you experienced confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or is getting worse?” Respondents were given the option to reply yes, no, don’t know/not sure, or to refuse the question.

    The researchers analyzed the survey data based on three cannabis variables including frequency of use over the past month, ranging from zero to 30 days; reason for cannabis use, which included non-user, medical, non-medical or both; and the method of cannabis consumption, such as non-user, smoke, eat, drink, vaporize, dab or other.

    “We found that non-medical cannabis use was significantly associated with reduced odds of SCD in comparison to non-users,” the researchers wrote, adding that there are several possible reasons for the study’s findings.

    The researchers offered several possible reasons that could explain why cannabis use was associated with reduced rates of self-reported cognitive decline. They note that many people use cannabis to help them sleep, citing a recent study that found that “more frequent sleep disturbances were associated with higher dementia risk in a national US older adult sample.”

    “Several studies have found that cannabis use might enhance sleep quality, expedite sleep onset, and reduce sleep disturbances. Non-medical cannabis use could have contributed to the observed decrease in SCD due to its potential benefit on sleep quality,” the discussion section of the new paper said.

    The results of the study were not consistent for some variables, however. Researchers found an association between the method of cannabis consumption, including a higher prevalence of SCD among cannabis smokers. The research also found an association between the frequency of use and cognitive decline.

    “Although increased frequency and different methods of cannabis use showed positive associations with SCD, these relationships were not statistically significant.”

    The researchers stressed that the study does not refute previous research that has shown frequent or heavy marijuana use was associated with cognitive decline. Instead, they said that the mixed findings indicate the need for further research on the subjects.

    “Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple factors, such as the reasons for cannabis use, when examining the relationship between cannabis and SCD,” the authors wrote in their conclusion. “Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms contributing to these associations.”

    The authors noted several limitations to the study, including a reliance on self-reported data. They also reported possible bias in responses from participants in states that have not legalized medical cannabis, noting that “individuals in such states may be more likely to underreport or misreport their cannabis use.”

    The study was published as an “article in press,” indicating that it has been accepted by the journal and copyedited and formatted for publication. Further corrections or proofreading changes could come before the article’s final version is published.

    A.J. Herrington

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  • New Study Shows Data on Cancer Survivors’ Cannabis Use, Effectiveness as Treatment | High Times

    New Study Shows Data on Cancer Survivors’ Cannabis Use, Effectiveness as Treatment | High Times

    A study recently published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship found evidence that a majority of participants who are cancer survivors used cannabis to manage their symptoms.

    The study was funded by the National Cancer Institute, the Betty B. Marcus Chair in Cancer Prevention, and the Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment, and co-written by four researchers. It analyzed a total of 1,886 participants, where 17.4% said that they currently consumed cannabis, 30.5% described themselves as “former” consumers, and 52.2% had never used cannabis before. Those who were either currently consuming or former consumers (about 510 participants) said that they found relief in using cannabis for “sleep disturbance (60%), pain (51%), stress (44%), nausea (34%), and mood disorder/depression (32%).” Additionally, one-fifth of the 510 (91) participants specifically used it to treat cancer, and half of those 510 participants that used cannabis to treat a specific condition “perceived that cannabis was helpful to a great extent in improving their symptoms.”

    Only 167 participants said that they experienced negative side effects, including “suicidal thoughts (5%), intense nausea and vomiting (6%), depression (11%), anxiety (14%), breathing problems (31%), and interaction with cancer drugs (35%).”

    Ultimately, participants found cannabis to be useful in their treatment. For example, of those who used cannabis for their nausea, 73.6% described the benefits as effective “to a great extent,” while only 24.4% said it was effective “very little,” and 1.9% said it was not effective at all. Overall, half of participants said that cannabis was useful “to a great extent,” while less than half said it was “somewhat effective,” only approximately 5% said they found cannabis to offer very little benefits.

    Similar results were shown in the percentage of participants who used cannabis to treat cancer. Researchers wrote that 47.7% of participants found cannabis to be helpful in their treatment “to a great extent,” while 34.5% described it as “somewhat” useful, and 13.8% said there was “very little” usefulness, and only 4% said it wasn’t useful at all.

    Researchers also pointed out that most participants weren’t aware of the potential health risks of cannabis during their treatment. “Only a few were aware of the health risks of cannabis use during cancer management,” researchers wrote. “Of the 167 survivors who reported awareness of potential health risks from cannabis use, the awareness of adverse health risks associated with cannabis use was low: suicidal thoughts (5%), intense nausea and vomiting (6%), depression (11%), anxiety (14%), breathing problems (31%), and interaction with cancer drugs (35%).”

    In response to this data, researchers added the necessity for more research. “With most survivors reporting benefits from cannabis use in cancer management, there is a need for more studies to strengthen current evidence on cannabis therapeutics,” wrote researchers. “Also, there is a need for policies, clear guidelines, and cannabis-based educational programs for healthcare providers and survivors on the use, benefits, and risks of cannabis in cancer management.”

    Researchers further explained the importance of engaging in conversations about cannabis treatments with healthcare providers as well “…regarding the current state of evidence on cannabis use during cancer treatment to help them make informed decisions regarding their healthcare.”

    A NORML report published in late December shared that 32,000 peer-reviewed scientific research papers and reports have been published since 2013. Additionally, NORML said that recorded cannabis research has been going on since the 19th century. “As of this writing, PubMed.gov cites over 45,900 scientific papers on marijuana dating back to the year 1840. Available to the public online since 1996, PubMed is a free resource supporting the search and retrieval of biomedical and life sciences literature,” NORML wrote.

    Based on this information, NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano argued against those who claim that there isn’t enough evidence of cannabis’ effectiveness as a treatment for many conditions. “Despite claims by some that marijuana has yet to be subject to adequate scientific scrutiny, scientists’ interest in studying cannabis has increased exponentially in recent years, as has our understanding of the plant, its active constituents, their mechanisms of action, and their effects on both the user and upon society,” said Armentano. “It is time for politicians and others to stop assessing cannabis through the lens of ‘what we don’t know’ and instead start engaging in evidence-based discussions about marijuana and marijuana reform policies that are indicative of all that we do know.”

    Meanwhile, research papers expressing the effectiveness of cannabis for cancer patients continue to grow in number. Earlier in 2023, one study conducted by both American, Canadian, and Irish researchers found that cannabis was both a safe and effective way to treat cancer pain. Later last year, a University of Buffalo researcher announced that they received a $3.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to study how cannabis affects cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. Other psychedelic substances are also being studied in relation to cancer as well, such as an October 2023 study that showed how psilocybin and MDMA are useful in treating anxiety in cancer patients.

    Nicole Potter

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  • Study: Cannabis Users’ Empathy-Focused Brain Regions Have Stronger Connectivity | High Times

    Study: Cannabis Users’ Empathy-Focused Brain Regions Have Stronger Connectivity | High Times

    A bulk of cannabis users will attest to the fact that weed can indeed bring people together and help better foster a sense of mutual understanding and respect with one another. Science is just now catching up to in regard to a number of long-held anecdotal understandings surrounding cannabis use, with cannabis and empathy among one of the more recent topics of interest.

    Namely, a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research took a closer look at regular cannabis users, ultimately finding that they do indeed tend to have a better understanding of the emotions of others. 

    The study, titled “Empathy-related differences in the anterior cingulate functional connectivity of regular cannabis users when compared to controls,” also found, through brain imaging tests, that cannabis users had stronger connectivity with brain regions involved with sensing the emotional states of others.

    Analyzing Empathy Through Test Scores and Brain Scans

    In the study abstract, investigators note reports of cannabis having an effect on the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a structure in the brain responsible for mediating the empathic response. To test whether or not cannabis use has an effect on the ACC and empathy, researchers compared the psychometric scores of empathy subscales between 85 regular cannabis users and 51 non-consumers as a control group.

    Researchers applied the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test, analyzing the empathic ability of subjects. Ultimately, cannabis users showed higher scores in the Emotional Comprehension scales of the psychometric testing than the control group.

    The study also included a subset of 46 users and 34 non-users who underwent MRI exams to examine the functional connectivity (FC) of the ACC in cannabis users compared to controls. Upon analysis, regular cannabis users showed greater connectivity between the ACC and the pre-posterior central gyrus, a part of the frontal lobe. Cannabis users also showed greater connectivity between the ACC and the left anterior insula, which supports subjective feeling states, than the control group.

    Cannabis Use as a Means to Increased Empathy

    In examining the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test findings, researchers note, “Emotional comprehension is a construct of cognitive empathy related to the capacity to recognize and comprehend others’ emotional states.” They also cite that this difference is consistent with previous research on adjacent topics, notably that cannabis use tends to correlate with a higher ability to detect others’ feelings and create a greater understanding of emotions and a more empathetic predisposition to others’ situations.

    “This difference in emotional comprehension related to their representation of the emotional state of the other, could be linked to the greater FC between the anterior cingulate cortex with the bilateral somatomotor cortex (SMC) in regular cannabis users when compared to non-users,” researchers wrote.

    Since the ACC is one of the main areas possessing B1 receptors, along with being heavily involved in the representation of affective states of others, researchers affirmed their beliefs that the difference shown by regular cannabis users in MRI scans and emotional comprehension scores “could be related to the use of cannabis,” though they said they cannot discount the possibility that these differences were present before the use of cannabis began.

    Another Affirmation of a Long-Held Truth Within the Cannabis Community

    “Although further research is needed, these results open an exciting new window for exploring the potential effects of cannabis in aiding treatments for conditions involving deficits in social interactions, such as sociopathy, social anxiety, and avoidant personality disorder, among others,” said said co-author Víctor Olalde-Mathieu, Ph.D., of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

    Indeed, the research may be another step forward in looking at cannabis, specifically its effect on the mind and social functioning. As researchers noted in the study, their findings also echo previous research looking similarly at the relationship between cannabis use and empathy.

    One study published last year in the journal Scientific Reports measured prosocial behavior, empathy, moral harmlessness and moral fairness among cannabis consumers and non-users, finding that consumers had higher scores. The two groups had no differences in measurements of anger, hostility, trust of others, facial threat interpretation, extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability, openness, or moral decision making founded on principles of respecting authority and preserving the concept of purity.

    Keegan Williams

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  • Research On Cannabis, Yoga Suggests That Setting Influences Mental Health Benefits | High Times

    Research On Cannabis, Yoga Suggests That Setting Influences Mental Health Benefits | High Times

    In a recent study from the University of British Columbia, researchers have unveiled new insights into the relationship between cannabis consumption and yoga. The study indicates that individuals who practice yoga after using cannabis may experience enhanced mindfulness and a heightened sense of mysticality.

    The research, which originated as a psychology dissertation, examined “the impact of contextual factors during cannabis use on well-being outcomes.” The paper’s author, Sarah Elizabeth Ann Daniels, highlights a significant disparity: While research into psychedelic therapy often emphasizes the importance of setting and intention, this emphasis is notably less prevalent in studies related to cannabis. While cannabis connoisseurs understand that the plant, like shrooms, is indeed psychedelic, the stoner community doesn’t always place the same weight on integrating set and setting into cannabis use. Yoga, which often utilizes intention-setting, could offer one modality to change that. 

    “When researchers explore the use of other psychoactive drugs for mental health treatment, there’s a strong focus on factors outside the direct effects of the drug, like mindset, environment, and behavior,” Daniels says. “This is because evidence suggests that these elements can dramatically influence therapeutic outcomes.” 

    The study underscores the importance of the context in which people enjoy cannabis. Its conclusions suggest that the environment and activities, aka the set and setting, invoked while under the influence of cannabis may play a pivotal role in shaping the user’s experience. Drawing a parallel with the world of psychedelics, the research supports the psychedelic-approved conviction that the setting and mindset during cannabis consumption can significantly affect its therapeutic benefits. While the cannabis community is often discussed in terms of a potential model for psychedelics to follow, as weed first gained mainstream societal approval, perhaps it’s time to reverse this relationship and see what marijuana can learn from psilocybin, ketamine, and other substances which therapeutically endorse set and setting. 

    To investigate the role of context within a cannabis experience, a weed trip, if you will, Daniels orchestrated the experiment involving 47 participants. She instructed them to self-administer cannabis on two occasions, spaced one week apart. In one session, participants engaged in yoga, while in the subsequent session, they just did whatever they usually enjoyed doing while high. The most common activities cited included eating, viewing TV or films, performing household tasks, socializing, and other hobbies.

    The research evaluated participants based on several criteria, such as “state mindfulness,” “mysticality of experience,” and “state affect.”

    Regarding “state mindfulness,” Daniels sought to gauge levels rooted in “both traditional Buddhist and contemporary psychology models of mindfulnesses.” This measure illuminated participants’ awareness of their mental states and bodily sensations. On the other hand, the “mystical experience” metric looked at more profound moments – such as experiencing deep peace and tranquility and perceiving a distorted sense of time, a common occurrence for cannabis trips. 

    In her research, Daniels identified a marked enhancement in participants’ reported mindfulness when they combined cannabis use with yoga practice. Additionally, their “mysticality of experience” saw a notable uptick. Despite mysticality traditionally being more aligned with psychedelic substances, Daniels points out, “While cannabis is not considered a traditional psychedelic,” it has been observed that “recent evidence indicates that it shares many commonalities with psychedelic-induced altered states.”

    When it comes to “state affect,” which essentially gauges an individual’s emotional and mood state, Daniels found no significant variance between sessions with yoga and those without.

    Pairing cannabis and yoga is nothing new. Ancient yogis in India touted the benefits of hashish, and classes such as the LA-based Ganja Yoga invite people to partake to enhance their yoga experience. 

    Of those participating in the study, six were newcomers to yoga. Thirty individuals claimed to engage in yoga sporadically or occasionally, with the remaining 11 being regular or frequent practitioners. 72% of the participants, or 34 individuals, expressed interest in blending cannabis and yoga in the future. In a symbiotic relationship, yoga not only amplified their cannabis experience, but the inclusion of cannabis also heightened their appreciation for yoga. Daniels notes:

    “The most frequently reported theme was enhanced physical awareness, where 15 participants articulated a heightened cognizance of their body, its movements, and sensory experiences. Many described feeling more ‘in touch’ or ‘in tune’ with their bodily sensations and expressed that their awareness of movement and physical sensations was at a ‘deeper’ level than usual. Importantly, they emphasized that this was distinct from their regular (non-cannabis influenced) yoga or physical activity sessions.”

    Reflecting on her findings, Daniels suggests, “These results underscore the importance of considering context and offering guidance to those using cannabis for therapeutic purposes, with the aim of enhancing its positive impacts on mental health and well-being.”

    The primary takeaway from the study is that going forward when prescribing cannabis (although you don’t need a doctor to implement this information), physicians should consider set and setting as part of cannabis consumption. 

    “Physicians have long identified a lack of clarity on the optimal approach to prescribe cannabis for therapeutic use,” the study reads. “Offering precise behavioral guidance and educating about the influence of environment and mindset can potentially optimize the benefits and reduce the downsides of therapeutic cannabis use. Given the favorable response to the yoga component, recommending yoga or similar mindful exercises might be highly beneficial.”

    Sophie Saint Thomas

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