http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/illegal_drugs/ Read the latest medical research on illegal drugs and controlled substances. Find out about the effect on the body, addiction risks, possible medicinal uses and more. en-us Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:05:01 EST Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/illegal_drugs/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124204318.htm Drug users are well informed about the harms associated with the drugs they use, and perceive alcohol and tobacco to be amongst the most dangerous substances, according to a new survey. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091124204318.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120000633.htm Drug dependency is a recurrent but treatable kind of addiction. However, not all people who are drug dependent progress in the same way once they stop taking drugs. A new study shows that, in the case of cocaine, a high score on the so-called ‘scale of craving’, an antisocial personality type and previous heroin abuse are the factors most commonly involved in people falling back into the habit. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091120000633.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085051.htm The first ever large-scale, longitudinal study of ketamine users has been published. With ketamine use increasing faster than any other drug in the UK, this research showing the consequences of repeated ketamine use provides valuable information for users and addiction professionals alike. Heavy ketamine users were impaired on several measures, including verbal memory. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116085051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116143623.htm Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug by adolescents, with almost 42 percent of high school seniors admitting to having experimented with it. Many studies have focused on parents as being the best avenue for preventing adolescent marijuana use; however, the strength of the relationship between monitoring and marijuana usage has been unclear. According to a meta-analysis, there is in a fact a strong, reliable link between parental monitoring and decreased marijuana usage in adolescents. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116143623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104091726.htm Use of cannabinoids (marijuana) could assist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients, according to a new study. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104091726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030100018.htm Stress-evoked changes in circuits that regulate serotonin in certain parts of the brain can precipitate a low mood and a relapse of cocaine-seeking, based on mouse studies. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030100018.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114309.htm Adult male monkeys exposed to cocaine while in the womb have poor impulse control and may be more vulnerable to drug abuse than female monkeys, even a decade or more after the exposure, according to a new study. The findings could lead to a better understanding of human drug abuse. The study was presented yesterday at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting in Chicago. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022114309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023102504.htm A new study in rats has found that N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a commonly available and generally nontoxic amino acid derivative, reverses changes in the brain's circuitry associated with cocaine addiction. The reversal appears to lessen the cravings associated with cocaine, thus providing protection against relapse. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023102504.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023102428.htm New animal studies suggest that memory and other cognitive problems experienced by cocaine-addicted people can result directly from the cocaine abuse in addition to pre-existing traits or lifestyle factors. Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023102428.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022101538.htm Last year the UK government reclassified cannabis from a class C to a class B drug, partly out of concerns that cannabis, especially the more potent varieties, may increase the risk of schizophrenia in young people. But the evidence for the relationship between cannabis and schizophrenia or psychosis remains controversial. A new study has determined that it may be necessary to stop thousands of cannabis users in order to prevent a single case of schizophrenia. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022101538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181625.htm A vaccine to treat cocaine dependence appears to reduce use of the drug in a subgroup of individuals who attain high anti-cocaine antibody levels in response, according to a new report. However, only 38 percent of vaccinated individuals produced high enough antibody levels and those who did maintained them for only two months. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005181625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930132702.htm New research looks at the specific ways parents and peers influence teenagers to smoke, drink and use marijuana in combination. Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930132702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124738.htm With substance abuse now accounting for one in 14 hospital admissions and generating billions in health care costs, leading scientists held a briefing on Capitol Hill recently to present the evidence that we already have and the evidence we need in treating and preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002124738.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092652.htm A new study examines the rates of violence among homeless veterans and their partners and the significant results of group therapy. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922160104.htm Researchers are utilizing computational models to study how the brain's chemicals and synaptic mechanisms, or connections between neurons, react to cocaine addiction and what this could mean for future therapies. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090922160104.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173326.htm As part of efforts to understand drug abuse, researchers are finding that adolescent rats appear to be less vulnerable to the long-term effects of withdrawal and relapse in certain types of drug use than rats that take the drugs in adulthood. Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916173326.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918101724.htm Researchers in the UK will release new evidence about the dangers of 'Spice' drugs -- herbal mixes widely sold as an ‘incense’ or legal substitute for cannabis. Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090918101724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084151.htm Drug treatment options for depression can take weeks for the beneficial effects to emerge, which is clearly inadequate for those at immediate risk of suicide. However, intravenous (IV) ketamine, a drug previously used as an anesthetic, has shown rapid antidepressant effects in early trials. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090910084151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143600.htm Although exercise is good for your health, extreme exercise may be physically addicting. Rats given a drug that produces withdrawal in heroin addicts went into withdrawal after running excessively in exercise wheels, according to new research. Rats that ran the hardest had the most severe withdrawal symptoms. Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090817143600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810221407.htm A new study demonstrates that there is an association between schizophrenia and violence, but shows that this association is greatly increased by drug and alcohol abuse. Importantly, the study also finds that the risk of violence from patients with psychoses who also have substance use disorder is no greater than those who have a substance use disorder but who do not have a psychotic illness. Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810221407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803123240.htm Memory loss associated with marijuana use is caused by the drug's interference with the brain's natural protein synthesis machinery, according to a new study by European researchers. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803123240.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730200624.htm The effects of amphetamines on gene expression in zebrafish have been uncovered. A new study provides clues to the genetics that underlie susceptibility to addiction by describing the nad zebrafish mutant, which does not feel the rewarding effects of the drugs. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090730200624.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715160823.htm A team of researchers has mapped patterns of illicit drug use across the state of Oregon using a method of sampling municipal wastewater before it is treated. Their findings provide a one-day snapshot of drug excretion that can be used to better understand patterns of drug use in multiple municipalities over time. Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715160823.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706090440.htm Injections of THC, the active principle of cannabis, eliminate dependence on opiates (morphine, heroin) in rats deprived of their mothers at birth. The findings could lead to therapeutic alternatives to existing substitution treatments. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706090440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629165114.htm Researchers report that it takes at least a year for former methamphetamine users to regain impulse control. The results tell recovering substance abusers, their families and drug-treatment specialists that it can take an extended period of time for the brain functions critical to recovery to improve. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629165114.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075620.htm Some Northern Ireland teenagers are experimenting with cocaine. Researchers found that 7.5% of young people who took part in the Belfast Youth Development Survey had tried cocaine at least once by the age of 16. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630075620.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625210425.htm A variation in a gene that is active in the central nervous system is associated with increased risk for obesity, according to a new study. The research adds to evidence that genes influence appetite and that the brain plays a key role in obesity. Sun, 28 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625210425.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615095940.htm Using a highly sensitive new test, scientists are reporting "convincing evidence" that marijuana smoke damages the genetic material DNA in ways that could increase the risk of cancer. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615095940.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529081627.htm Those in the United States living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to use marijuana than those in Kenya, South Africa or Puerto Rica to alleviate their symptoms, according to a new study. Fri, 29 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529081627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528142825.htm Researchers investigating how the brain becomes drug dependent have now implicated a naturally occurring protein, a dose of which allowed them to get rats hooked with no drugs at all. The finding could suggest ways to medically counteract the effects of drug addiction. Fri, 29 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528142825.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090525173438.htm A new brain-imaging study reveals differences in cocaine users' ability to monitor their behavior and emotions in comparison to healthy control subjects. Such impairments may underlie vulnerability to drugs and suggest new targets for treatment. Tue, 26 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090525173438.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172105.htm The increased risk of persons with schizophrenia committing violent crime may be largely mediated by co-existing substance abuse problems, according to a new study. Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519172105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134706.htm Scientists demonstrate a link between cocaine and the reward circuits in the brain and also associates the susceptibility to addiction with these mechanisms. Wed, 20 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519134706.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515083820.htm Morphine patches are supposed to reduce use of painkillers, and provide more control over their use in chronic pain conditions. But researchers have found otherwise. Sun, 17 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090515083820.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513130928.htm New research sheds light on how cocaine regulates gene expression in a crucial reward region of the brain to elicit long-lasting changes in behavior. The study provides exciting insight into the molecular pathways regulated by cocaine and may lead to new strategies for battling drug addiction. Fri, 15 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090513130928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514153039.htm Lower rates of smoking among black teens may be the result of black parents setting concrete guidelines about substance use and establishing clearly defined consequences for not following those guidelines, a new study finds. Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514153039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511101700.htm Nearly one in 12 people exposed to terrorism report increased use and misuse of alcohol. Investigators combined data from 31 studies conducted in the aftermath of such incidents as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Oklahoma City Bombings of 1995, and the Intifada uprisings in Israel. Wed, 13 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511101700.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101458.htm Scientists have identified a protein that appears not only to be central to the process that causes Parkinson's disease but could also play a role in muting the high from methamphetamine and other addictive drugs. Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101458.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501110220.htm Researchers have found that heavier intrauterine cocaine exposure is associated with mild compromise on selective areas of neurocognitive development during middle childhood. Sat, 02 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501110220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101443.htm Using a steroid drug for multiple sclerosis in addition to an MS drug may reduce the amount of disease activity more than using the MS drug alone, according to a new study. Sat, 02 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430101443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422191724.htm When legal therapies let them down, some teens turn to cannabis. A new study suggests that around a third of teens who smoke cannabis on a regular basis use it as a medication, rather than as a means of getting high. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422191724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423082756.htm Addicts, even those who have been abstinent for long periods of time, are often still vulnerable to their own memories of prior drug use. For example, exposure to the same environment in which they commonly used drugs -- a contextual memory -- can increase their craving for the drug dramatically and can lead to relapse. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423082756.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421111652.htm Regular exercise can prevent the disruption of the blood brain barrier that normally occurs with a dose of methamphetamine comparable to that used by heavy meth users. A new study is the first to look at the protective effects of exercise on the vascular effects of methamphetamine. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421111652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422103732.htm A national study of data collected over 12 years finds that delinquent teens marry earlier than their peers, while substance-abusing teens -- especially girls who abuse marijuana -- marry later than peers, if at all. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422103732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420151240.htm Scientists have discovered that the brain manufactures proteins that act like marijuana at specific receptors in the brain itself. This discovery may lead to new marijuana-like drugs for managing pain, stimulating appetite and preventing marijuana abuse. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420151240.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419133830.htm In earlier studies, researchers had found that estrogen -- or more precisely, having ovaries -- made adult rats exposed for the first time to THC, the primary ingredient in marijuana and hashish, less sensitive to THC's negative effects on tests of learning and memory. A new study finds that when rats are first exposed to THC during the equivalent of adolescence, however, estrogen loses its protective effect. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419133830.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417084121.htm Drug addiction affects millions of people around the world, causing numerous problems ranging from emotional and psychological difficulties to physical and health issues. Initial drug use can be motivated by curiosity or peer pressure, but in some animals, such as rats, it can also be the result of a stressful early life event, such as social isolation. A new study examines the impact of social isolation on the animal's response to cocaine. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417084121.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406102557.htm Patients with schizophrenia are able to correctly see through an illusion known as the 'hollow mask' illusion, probably because their brain disconnects "what the eyes see" from what "the brain thinks it is seeing," according to researchers. The findings shed light on why cannabis users may also be less deceived by the illusion whilst on the drug. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406102557.htm