Maternal smoking during pregnancy, and the lasting effects on both developing foetuses and adults, remain a major concern for global health. Research into the genetics and epidemiology of maternal smoking effects is uncovering just how deep these impacts go. This article brings together insights from human foetal studies and large-scale analyses of ageing adults, focusing on how exposure in utero...
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ADHD Prescriptions London: Exploring the Surge Since the Pandemic
London has seen the sharpest increase in ADHD prescriptions since the pandemic began, with experts and campaigners keenly observing this new medication trend. If you’ve noticed more conversations about ADHD or ADHD medication trends on social media, you’re certainly not alone. Recent research shines a spotlight on what’s happening in the capital and across the nation, raising important questions about...

How People in Recovery Shape Leeds’ New Drug Treatment Plan
A compassionate, community-centred approach is transforming efforts to address drug and alcohol harm in Leeds. Local recovery stories and lived experience are at the heart of a major new five-year strategy, aiming to create healthier futures for all who call the city home. This blog explores the challenges, achievements, and the next steps for drug treatment in Leeds. How Lived...

Can Mindfulness Help with Opioid Use Disorder? What the Latest Research Shows
Opioid use disorder (OUD) and its effective treatment continue to be urgent topics in both medicine and public health. Recent research on mindfulness and opioid use disorder has generated discussion about whether mindfulness practices can offer meaningful benefits for those seeking recovery. This post unpacks a new large-scale clinical trial, explores what mindfulness can do, and what it can’t, based...

Scottish Charity’s Rock Climbing Recovery Programme Transforms Lives
A Scottish Christian charity is making a significant impact in addiction recovery with its groundbreaking rock climbing recovery programme. East Ayrshire Churches Homelessness Action (EACHa), based in Kilmarnock, has partnered with Above Adventure to create the New Heights initiative. This addiction recovery climbing initiative combines outdoor activities with community support to help individuals build resilience and self-confidence. Transforming Recovery Through...

Cork Prison in Ireland Faces Critical Shortage of Addiction Counselling Support
At Cork Prison, over 100 people are waiting for addiction counselling, but there are only two addiction counsellors available to help them. This highlights a larger problem across Ireland, where addiction counselling and treatment services struggle to keep up with demand. At the start of this year, there were just 18 counsellors working nationally and nearly 1,000 people on waiting...

Substance Use in US Jails: Key Findings from 2023 Drug Testing Data
A new study on substance use in US jails has revealed eye-opening statistics about drug use among people arrested in 2023. Analysed urine drug screens from 25 jails across the United States show a high rate of drug use, particularly among young people. If you’re trying to understand substance use trends or the US jail drugs findings, this breakdown covers...

The Rise and Fall of the “Napa Valley of Cannabis”: Why Legal Pot Failed
The cannabis market collapse is grabbing headlines across Colorado and California, places once heralded as pioneers of the “green rush.” Legal pot failure, along with the persistent California pot black market, has left communities grappling with broken promises and tough realities. This blog takes a closer look at what went wrong, focusing on the story of Pueblo, Colorado, and the...

Adam Leventhal’s Journey from Teenage Smoker to Leading USC Addiction Research
For Professor Adam Leventhal, the study of addiction isn’t just academic. It’s personal. Today, the USC addiction research expert is at the forefront of a world-class network, but his passion stems from his own experiences in the smoky haze of 1990s San Diego. Leventhal, now a University Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences and Psychology at the Keck School...

Illicit Marijuana Disguised as Hemp in New Mexico Convenience Stores
Illicit marijuana disguised as hemp is making its way onto the shelves of convenience stores and gas stations across New Mexico. Despite laws intended to ensure that only licensed dispensaries can sell cannabis, black market cannabis is finding new ways to bypass the system. These illicit sales put public safety and youth at risk and weaken the effectiveness of the...

North Carolina Hemp Regulation Faces Major Overhaul
Hemp-derived products have become big business in North Carolina. The state has earned a reputation as one of the most lenient when it comes to regulating psychoactive hemp products. Dispensaries, bars, and even pizza shops across North Carolina can legally sell hemp-based goods—even those producing a recreational high. However, new legislation may soon bring big changes to how these products...

Cannabis Legalisation in France: Why The Academy of Medicine Stands Firmly Against It
The debate around cannabis legalisation in France remains a contentious issue, with growing public and political interest. Among the voices opposing this shift is the French Academy of Medicine, which has reinforced its steadfast stance against the legalisation of recreational cannabis. Citing robust evidence from other nations that have adopted legalisation, the Academy highlights significant public health risks and underscores...

Legal Battle Over Medical Marijuana Pharmacy in St. John Parish, Louisiana , US
Efforts to bring a medical marijuana pharmacy to St. John the Baptist Parish have sparked controversy, leading to a lawsuit over zoning disputes. Despite Louisiana legalising medical marijuana nearly a decade ago, local officials in this parish have blocked plans for a cannabis dispensary, citing zoning regulations. Permit Denial Sparks Lawsuit Omar Pecantte, owner of Green Leaf Dispensary, intends to...

Rising Dangers: Fentanyl Poisoning in Children
Understanding the Growing Threat The issue of fentanyl poisoning in children and adolescents has reached alarming levels and deserves urgent attention. Recent research reveals that from 2015 to 2023, the number of nonfatal fentanyl poisoning cases involving children increased dramatically by more than 1,000 percent. Even more concerning, nearly half of reported cases in 2023 were life-threatening. This blog aims...

US Georgia Senate Advances Hemp Restrictions and THC Drink Ban
The Georgia Senate has advanced two significant bills aimed at tightening regulations on hemp-based products. The proposed measures include a total ban on THC-infused drinks and new limits on intoxicating compounds such as Delta-8 THC. These Georgia hemp product restrictions, still pending House approval, could shake up the market for many items currently found in smoke and convenience stores. The...

Cannabis Injury Litigation Group: New National Coalition Takes on Cannabis Industry for Widespread Harm
In a watershed moment for cannabis accountability, the nation’s largest trial lawyer association has officially launched a dedicated litigation group targeting harmful practices in the marijuana industry. The American Association for Justice (AAJ) announced the formation of the Cannabis Injury Litigation Group on April 15, thereby marking a significant victory for advocacy organisations that have long fought for legal accountability...

Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity: A Critical Review of the 2024 National Academies Report
Cannabis policies in the U.S. have seen a dramatic shift over the past few decades. Most states now allow some form of legal cannabis use, even though federal law still prohibits it. This patchwork of regulations has developed with little federal oversight and often without prioritising public health. A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine,...

Marijuana in New York: What Went Wrong with Weed Laws?
When former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faced a political storm due to allegations of misconduct, he sought to shift the narrative by legalising marijuana in a last-ditch effort to gain voters’ favour. Although the legislation was designed not only to legalise cannabis but also to right the historical wrongs of prohibition, the reality of its implementation is far from...

Why the Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement Frustrates Victims
The opioid crisis continues to leave communities devastated, with countless lives lost and families torn apart. One of the most significant developments in this ongoing tragedy is the proposed $7.4 billion Purdue Pharma opioid settlement. The settlement offers hope of accountability but also raises concerns among victims who feel justice is still far out of reach. While it may be...

Marijuana Legalisation in US: Has the Experiment Failed?
The United States embraced marijuana legalisation as a progressive leap towards criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, and improved public health. Advocates argued that legal cannabis would virtually eliminate the black market, provide significant tax revenues, and ensure a regulated, safer industry for consumers. But the reality hasn’t matched these ambitious promises. Across America, states grapple with unintended consequences such as...
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Alcohol and Its Influence on Depression Dynamics
The intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and depression has long been a subject of medical scrutiny, yet remains poorly understood...
The Power of Non-Drinkers: Transforming Social Scenes and Hospitality in U.K
The influence of non-drinkers is reshaping social dynamics and challenging the hospitality sector to evolve. With 16% of Britons identifying...
GLP-1 Agonists for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Promising Advancement
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a complex and widespread condition that has devastating health, social, and economic consequences. While treatments...
Examining Alcohol Industry-Funded Youth Programs
School-based youth education programs play a crucial role in shaping young minds’ understanding of alcohol consumption and its consequences. Recent...
Voters Reject Drug Legalisation Across States, Nebraska Backs Medical Marijuana
In the 2024 US elections, voters decisively opposed drug legalisation efforts across several states. Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota...
How Resilience Shapes Personality: Latest Research Insights
A new research paper titled “Defining Protective Resilience – The 85% Threshold for Personality Development and Mental Health Risk Reduction”...
Fentanyl’s Deadly Toll and Texas’ Reluctance to Change
Mass Overdose Event Highlights the Crisis During the final weekend of April 2024, Austin, Texas, experienced a devastating series of...
Jennifer Lopez’s Alcohol Controversy
Jennifer Lopez, once a staunch advocate for a sober lifestyle, has recently faced significant backlash for endorsing an alcohol brand....
Stop Targeting Kids with Alcohol Ads Now
As an Australian social media summit convenes, Catherine Earl calls for increased transparency in how algorithms target young people with...
San Francisco’s ‘Living Proof’ Campaign: A Beacon of Hope in the Fentanyl Crisis
San Francisco has launched its “Living Proof” health campaign as part of the fight against the city’s devastating fentanyl crisis....
Understanding Who’s Most Vulnerable to Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), poses a significant health threat that can lead...
Elton John’s Unfiltered Take on Drug Legalisation
When Elton John talks about addiction, it’s not just another celebrity soundbite. This is a man who’s lived through the...
The Hidden Genetic Risks of Cannabis Use
Cannabis has been known to affect health in various ways, but recent studies raise even more serious concerns. The long-term...
Illicit Fentanyl Use Linked to Increased Hepatitis C Risk
New research has unveiled a troubling connection between the use of illicit fentanyl and the rising incidence of hepatitis C...
Nationwide Effort Shows Promise in Reducing Opioid Deaths
Early Intervention Key to Addressing Opioid Crisis, Says Emergency Room Doctor Dr. Caroline Freiermuth, an emergency room physician who has...
How Social Media Influences Teen Drug Use
The teenage years are a critical period for social development, and in the digital age, much of this development occurs...
How Recalling Drinking Episodes Can Curb Alcohol Motivation
Alcohol consumption is a pervasive issue worldwide, with significant implications for public health. Understanding the factors that influence drinking behaviour...
Exploring the Economic Impact of Alcohol in England
Alcohol consumption imposes significant economic costs on society. The document “Cost of Alcohol in England: Methodology” by the Institute of...
WHO Faces Criticism Over St Patrick’s Day Alcohol Awareness Post
Controversial Post Ignites Criticism The World Health Organisation (WHO) Europe is facing backlash after launching a “St Patrick’s Day alcohol...
Analyzing Mortality Trends in the US Black Community
Understanding the disparities in mortality rates between racial groups in the United States is essential for addressing public health challenges....
How Recessions Affect Illicit Drug Consumption
A recent report from the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) explores the complex relationship between economic recessions and illicit drug...
Report Reveals Hidden Household Opioid Threats to Young Children
In a pivotal study conducted by Dr. Diane Calello and her team at the New Jersey Poison Control Center, alarming...
Understanding Safety in Psychedelic Treatments
Psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are being studied for their potential to treat mental health issues. While their use shows...
Philadelphia’s Opioid Fund Spending Sparks Controversy and Community Debate
Philadelphia’s use of opioid settlement funds has sparked debate, as the city faces scrutiny over its spending decisions in Kensington,...
Perry’s Death Triggers Ketamine Crackdown
The tragic death of Matthew Perry has prompted federal authorities to launch an investigation into the origins of the ketamine...
Alarming Surge in Synthetic Opioids Advertised on Social Media Linked to Rising UK Deaths
Amid growing concerns over the unchecked online sale of drugs, there’s a troubling rise in the advertisement and distribution of...
Understanding the Link Between Cannabis Use and Violence
Cannabis Consumption: A Growing Concern As cannabis becomes more widely used, its impact on behaviour and public safety remains a...
Vitamins and Supplements to Aid Opioid Withdrawal
The issue of opioid use disorder (OUD) presents a significant public health concern, exacerbated by misleading claims regarding the efficacy...
Cocaine’s Cultural Decline: A Generational Shift
Cocaine has long been a staple of British nightlife and social culture, particularly among certain generations. Its usage reflects not...
Alcohol’s Impact on Health: A Growing Contributor to Cancer Cases
A recent report by the American Association for Cancer Research highlights the significant role alcohol consumption plays in new cancer...
High Spirits in Sobriety: 120 Days of Scottish Resolve
Embarking on a journey of sobriety as a Scotsman for 120 days signifies a remarkable commitment to personal growth, health,...
Tony Adams’ Story of Addiction, Recovery, and Self-Acceptance
Tony Adams, former footballer and Arsenal legend, has opened up about his battle with addiction and his inspiring road to...
The Unseen Consequences: How Adult Drinking Affects Children
Significant Findings on Child Harm Recent research conducted by La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research has unveiled that...
Common Mistakes That Age You Faster
Maintaining a youthful appearance often hinges on avoiding certain daily habits that can accelerate the ageing process. Common mistakes such...
Rising Teen Depression Rates Tied to Social Media Exposure
A recent study reveals a significant correlation between extensive social media use and increased instances of depression in teenagers. The...
North and South Dakota Reject Recreational Marijuana
Voters in North Dakota and South Dakota have rejected initiatives to legalise recreational marijuana, highlighting the conservative stance of these...
The Intersection of Marijuana Use and Impaired Driving Risks
The intersection of marijuana legalisation and driving safety has become a focal point of concern, with experts highlighting the challenges...
Rising Drug Misuse Deaths in Scotland: A Statistical Insight
Scotland has seen a concerning rise in drug misuse deaths, according to the latest statistics from 2023 published by the...
The Interlinked Battle Against Illicit Drugs and Illegal Tobacco Trade
The Community Advocacy Alliance (CAA) recently highlighted a significant issue facing our society: the interconnectedness of illicit drug trade and...
What You Need to Know About Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, or NAFLD, is a term that encompasses a range of liver conditions not caused by alcohol....
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Featured Stories

The Rise and Fall of the “Napa Valley of Cannabis”: Why Legal Pot Failed
The cannabis market collapse is grabbing headlines across Colorado and California, places once heralded as pioneers of the “green rush.”...

Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity: A Critical Review of the 2024 National Academies Report
Cannabis policies in the U.S. have seen a dramatic shift over the past few decades. Most states now allow some...

Cannabis & Psychosis – The Not-So-Silent Epidemic (Part One)
The Silent Epidemic of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Cannabis-Induced Psychosis (CIP) is becoming an unspoken public health threat that deserves our immediate...

Australia’s World-First Psilocybin Studies: Clinical Insights, Therapist Training Applications, and Future Innovations Presented
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances for clinical therapies. A growing movement advocating...

Kashmir Heroin Addiction: Afiya’s Story
Afiya, a 24-year-old from Indian-administered Kashmir, sits silently in a rehabilitation ward in Srinagar, recovering from the devastating effects of...

David Krumholtz Highlights Marijuana’s Hidden Dangers
Actor David Krumholtz, known for his roles in The Santa Clause and Oppenheimer, has shared his battle with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This...