Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center have identified a metabolic weakness in the stem cells driving high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, uncovering an unusual cellular energy dependency that could enable more targeted treatments for the aggressive blood cancer, according to a study published in Blood Cancer Discovery. NAD Dependence in High-Risk MDS Stem Cells … Read more
Controlled breathing interventions can reduce cravings in people who use substances, including alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, according to a new review published in the scientific journal Addiction. The study combined results from 20 studies involving 1,249 total participants, shedding new light on low-cost therapeutic add-ons for addiction treatment. How Controlled Breathing Reduces Substance Cravings … Read more
James Anderson, a personal trainer and recovering addict, has opened a new fitness facility, Anderson Ambition, in Green, Ohio, to serve as both a private training hub and a community resource for at-risk youth. The gym, located at 3755 Boettler Oaks Dr, functions as an extension of Anderson’s decade-long recovery journey, which has previously included … Read more
Problematic social media use (PSMU) is linked to a significant increase in everyday memory failures, according to a recent study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. Researchers found that young adults who engage in high-frequency social media use report more frequent lapses in both retrospective recall and prospective memory—the ability to remember intended future actions. Data … Read more
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is increasingly recognized by medical professionals as a significant public health concern, with nearly 31 percent of past-year users meeting clinical criteria for the condition. As THC potency in modern products reaches record highs—sometimes exceeding 90 percent—patients are reporting severe withdrawal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and physical dependency, according to data … Read more
GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are associated with significantly lower rates of substance use disorders among patients with type 2 diabetes or obesity. A study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that patients taking these drugs showed reduced odds of alcohol, opioid, nicotine, and cocaine use disorders compared to similar patients … Read more
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified a liver-based enzyme as a primary driver of cocaine addiction, shifting the focus of potential treatments away from the brain. Published in Nature Communications, the study utilized nearly 900 genetically diverse rats to isolate the Ces1 gene group, which regulates how the body metabolizes cocaine … Read more
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified a genetic link between liver enzymes and cocaine addiction, suggesting that drug metabolism plays a critical role in compulsive behavior. By studying more than 800 genetically diverse rats, the team found that specific variations in carboxylesterase genes—which break down cocaine in the liver—directly influence how … Read more
For decades, mental health professionals have relied on standardized diagnostic interviews (SDIs) as the bedrock of clinical practice. Often dubbed the “gold standard,” these structured questionnaires were designed to bring scientific rigour to the diagnosis of conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. However, a landmark meta-analysis recently published in JAMA Network Open suggests that … Read more
The pharmaceutical landscape is undergoing a tectonic shift. While medications like Ozempic and Wegovy—collectively known as GLP-1 receptor agonists—have become household names for their efficacy in managing type 2 diabetes and obesity, a new frontier is emerging: the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). Emerging research suggests these drugs may do far more than manage … Read more