https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/addiction/ Read current medical research articles on drug addition including nicotine, prescription drugs and illegal drugs. Find out about addiction treatment. en-us Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:52:54 EDT Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:52:54 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/addiction/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260328043558.htm Scientists have developed a new gene therapy that quiets pain at its source in the brain—without the addictive risks of opioids. Using AI to map how pain is processed, they created a targeted “off switch” that mimics morphine’s benefits but skips its dangerous side effects. In early tests, it delivered lasting relief without affecting normal sensations. The discovery could mark a major step toward safer, non-addictive pain treatments. Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:57:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260328043558.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.htm The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise. Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:27:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223211.htm Cocaine addiction isn’t simply a failure of willpower — it’s the result of lasting biological changes in the brain. Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that repeated cocaine use rewires communication between the brain’s reward system and the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory. A protein called DeltaFosB builds up with continued drug use and acts like a genetic switch, altering how neurons function and strengthening the brain’s drive to seek cocaine. Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:45:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260305223211.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260215225606.htm For years, compulsive behaviors have been viewed as bad habits stuck on autopilot. But new research in rats found the opposite: inflammation in a key decision-making brain region actually made behavior more deliberate, not more automatic. The change was linked to astrocytes, brain support cells that multiplied and disrupted nearby circuits. The discovery hints that some compulsive behaviors may arise from excessive, misdirected control rather than a loss of it. Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:32:28 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260215225606.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073023.htm A simple brain-training program that sharpens how quickly older adults process visual information may have a surprisingly powerful long-term payoff. In a major 20-year study of adults 65 and older, those who completed five to six weeks of adaptive “speed of processing” training — along with a few booster sessions — were significantly less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, even two decades later. Participants who received the boosted speed training had a 25% lower dementia risk compared to those who received no training, making it the only intervention in the trial to show such a lasting protective effect. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:15:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260211073023.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020852.htm New research using rhesus monkeys suggests that the brain’s relationship with alcohol may begin forming long before a person ever takes a drink. Scientists found that exposure to alcohol before birth reshaped the brain’s dopamine system, a key player in motivation and reward, and those changes were linked to faster drinking later in adulthood. Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:26:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260206020852.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm ADHD stimulants appear to work less by sharpening focus and more by waking up the brain. Brain scans revealed that these medications activate reward and alertness systems, helping children stay interested in tasks they would normally avoid. The drugs even reversed brain patterns linked to sleep deprivation. Researchers say this could complicate ADHD diagnoses if poor sleep is the real underlying problem. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:59:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225235942.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225031244.htm Everyday sights and sounds quietly shape the choices people make, often without them realizing it. New research suggests that some individuals become especially influenced by these environmental cues, relying on them heavily when deciding what to do. The problem arises when those cues start leading to worse outcomes. For certain people, the brain struggles to update these learned signals, causing them to repeat risky or harmful decisions over time. Fri, 26 Dec 2025 09:00:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251225031244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm A massive global genetics study is reshaping how we understand mental illness—and why diagnoses so often pile up. By analyzing genetic data from more than six million people, researchers uncovered deep genetic connections across 14 psychiatric conditions, showing that many disorders share common biological roots. Instead of existing in isolation, these conditions fall into five overlapping families, helping explain why depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders so frequently occur together. Sat, 03 Jan 2026 02:28:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251223084855.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082507.htm More than 20% of young adults say they use cannabis or alcohol to fall asleep, with cannabis leading by a wide margin. Researchers warn this strategy can backfire, disrupting sleep quality and increasing the risk of long-term sleep and substance-use problems. Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:11:46 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251217082507.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm Researchers uncovered how shifting levels of a brain protein called KCC2 can reshape the way cues become linked with rewards, sometimes making habits form more quickly or more powerfully than expected. When this protein drops, dopamine neurons fire more intensely, strengthening new associations in ways that resemble how addictive behaviors take hold. Rat studies showed that even brief, synchronized bursts of neural activity can amplify reward learning, offering insight into why everyday triggers, like a morning routine, can provoke strong cravings. Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:41:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251210223635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251208052534.htm Deep-brain recordings showed that Mounjaro and Zepbound briefly shut down the craving circuits linked to food noise in a patient with severe obesity. Her obsessive thoughts about food disappeared as the medication quieted the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s reward hub. Mon, 08 Dec 2025 11:37:49 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251208052534.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118033447.htm Scientists discovered that alcohol activates a sugar-producing pathway in the body, creating fructose that may reinforce addictive drinking. The enzyme responsible, KHK, appears to drive both alcohol cravings and liver injury. When this enzyme was blocked in mice, their drinking decreased and their livers showed far less damage. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 03:43:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251118033447.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095932.htm Scientists found that people who use both cannabis and tobacco show a distinct brain pattern tied to mood and stress regulation. Their scans revealed higher levels of an enzyme that reduces a natural feel-good molecule in the brain. This imbalance may help explain why co-users experience more anxiety and struggle more when quitting. Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:15:04 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251115095932.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021746.htm GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes and obesity, may also curb addictive behaviors by acting on reward circuits in the brain. Early trials show reductions in alcohol intake, opioid seeking, and nicotine use. Though more research is needed, scientists believe these drugs could open a powerful new front in addiction therapy. Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:14:29 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251026021746.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251019120518.htm A major collaboration between UC San Diego and 23andMe identified genes that shape cannabis use behaviors. The study linked the CADM2 and GRM3 genes to cannabis use and connected these patterns to more than 100 traits across mental and physical health. Researchers say understanding these genetic influences could help prevent cannabis use disorder and guide future therapies. Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:29:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251019120518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251006051124.htm Addiction often isn’t about chasing pleasure—it’s about escaping pain. Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered that a tiny brain region called the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) becomes hyperactive when animals learn that alcohol eases the agony of withdrawal. This circuit helps explain why people relapse: their brains learn that alcohol brings relief from stress and anxiety. Mon, 06 Oct 2025 05:11:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251006051124.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092919.htm A massive new study combining observational and genetic data overturns the long-held belief that light drinking protects the brain. Researchers found that dementia risk rises in direct proportion to alcohol consumption, with no safe level identified. Sat, 04 Oct 2025 23:42:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/10/251004092919.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054915.htm Researchers found that middle-aged adults, especially women, are far more likely to be addicted to ultra-processed foods than older generations. Marketing of diet-focused processed foods in the 1980s may have played a major role. Food addiction was linked to poor health, weight issues, and social isolation, highlighting long-term risks. Experts warn that children today could face even higher addiction rates in the future. Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:57:42 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250929054915.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031214.htm Boston University researchers found that ordinary moments can gain staying power if they’re connected to significant emotional events. Using studies with hundreds of participants, they showed that the brain prioritizes fragile memories when they overlap with meaningful experiences. This could help explain why we recall certain details surrounding big events and may lead to new ways of boosting learning and treating memory disorders. Sat, 27 Sep 2025 11:55:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/09/250927031214.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002404.htm Using cannabis to self-medicate comes with hidden dangers—new research shows these users face higher paranoia and consume more THC. Childhood trauma further amplifies the risks, especially emotional abuse, which strongly predicts paranoia. Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:24:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/08/250828002404.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040940.htm A massive global survey has revealed that people with eating disorders often turn to cannabis and psychedelics like magic mushrooms and LSD to ease their symptoms, rating them more effective than traditional medications. Surprisingly, common prescriptions like antidepressants were seen as helpful for overall mental health but fell short for eating disorder relief. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:42:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250724040940.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034230.htm Rutgers scientists have uncovered a tug-of-war inside the brain between hunger and satiety, revealing two newly mapped neural circuits that battle over when to eat and when to stop. These findings offer an unprecedented glimpse into how hormones and brain signals interact, with implications for fine-tuning today's weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Sat, 14 Jun 2025 03:42:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250614034230.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231604.htm Cannabis use among older Americans has climbed dramatically, with 7% of adults 65 and older now reporting recent use. This rise isn't just in numbers but also in diversity older users today are more likely to be women, college-educated, and higher-income. Researchers suggest legalization and growing social acceptance are contributing factors, especially in states with medical marijuana laws. The trend is especially notable among those with chronic illnesses, raising both opportunities and concerns for medical professionals trying to balance symptom relief with the complexities of aging. Sat, 07 Jun 2025 23:16:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250607231604.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602225404.htm Marijuana use among older adults in the US has reached a new high, with 7 percent of adults aged 65 and over who report using it in the past month, according to a recent analysis. Mon, 02 Jun 2025 22:54:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/06/250602225404.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140137.htm Humans and mice share persistent brain-activity patterns in response to adverse sensory experience, scientists find, opening a window to our emotions and, perhaps, neuropsychiatric disorders. Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250529140137.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131547.htm A new study finds that chronic cannabis use -- whether it's smoked or consumed in edible form -- is associated with significant cardiovascular risks. Wed, 28 May 2025 13:15:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250528131547.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521204008.htm People who have been taking antidepressants for more than two years are substantially more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms compared to short-term users when they come off the medication, finds a new study. Wed, 21 May 2025 20:40:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521204008.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520183846.htm The study explores how social influences, particularly peer pressure, impact substance use -- and misuse -- among young adults. A confidential online survey on alcohol use was given to 524 students at a large public university (not UTA). Tue, 20 May 2025 18:38:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250520183846.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131126.htm A breakthrough drug from Duke University, SBI-810, promises strong pain relief without the pitfalls of opioids. Unlike traditional painkillers that trigger multiple brain pathways—and often addiction—SBI-810 activates just one specific pathway tied to pain relief, sidestepping the euphoric high, constipation, and tolerance buildup common with opioids. It worked impressively in mice, reducing pain from surgery, fractures, and nerve damage—sometimes outperforming even hospital-grade opioids and gabapentin. Even better, it made opioids more effective at lower doses when used together. Mon, 19 May 2025 13:11:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250519131126.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130007.htm Researchers are investigating how the legal supply of cannabis affects consumption and mental health among participants. In a first academic publication, the study team has now reported on the direct comparison of the substance's legal versus illegal procurement. Wed, 07 May 2025 13:00:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250507130007.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105351.htm When picturing a 'typical' alcoholic, people tend to imagine a person drinking at home alone. But that focus overlooks the social origins of many serious alcohol problems. Tue, 06 May 2025 10:53:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250506105351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501165001.htm Bad habits such as smoking, heavy drinking and lack of exercise must be tackled as early as possible to boost the odds of a happy and healthy old age. Thu, 01 May 2025 16:50:01 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250501165001.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142254.htm Childhood trauma significantly increases the likelihood of engaging in harmful alcohol consumption, smoking and illicit drug use, by the age of 18. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:22:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142254.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142024.htm Researchers found that Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) can help rewire the brain's response to natural healthy pleasure, leading to reduced opioid cravings. The findings suggest that MORE could be a promising tool in the fight against opioid use disorder. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:20:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430142024.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141634.htm Researchers have applied object recognition technology to track changes in brain cell structure and provide new insights into how the brain responds to heroin use, withdrawal and relapse. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 14:16:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250430141634.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428222335.htm Scientists have developed a highly sensitive method to detect illegal opioids and a veterinary sedative in Australia's wastewater system, providing a vital early warning tool to public health authorities. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:23:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428222335.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220258.htm Ketamine addiction is linked to high levels of physical health problems and psychological consequences, with nearly half of those affected not seeking support or treatment, new research has revealed. Mon, 28 Apr 2025 22:02:58 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428220258.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422155830.htm A preclinical study finds that a drug already FDA-approved for treating inflammatory conditions may help reduce both alcohol intake and pain sensitivity -- two issues that commonly co-occur with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Tue, 22 Apr 2025 15:58:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422155830.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131213.htm Dopamine is the brain's motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn't, like touching a hot stove. But scientists haven't fully understood how dopamine helps us learn to avoid bad outcomes -- until now. A new study shows that dopamine signals in two key brain areas involved in motivation and learning respond differently to negative experiences, helping the brain adapt based on whether a situation is predictable or controllable. While previous research has shown that dopamine can respond to negative experiences, this is the first study to track how those signals evolve over time as animals move from novices to experts in avoiding them. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:12:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250422131213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421221118.htm Use of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic chemical found in what is known as 'magic mushrooms,' has increased significantly nationwide since 2019, according to a new study. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 22:11:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250421221118.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124657.htm A new study suggests that perceived stress and depression factor into the relationship between insomnia and hazardous drinking -- perhaps not a surprise. But because the relationship between insomnia and heavy drinking goes in both directions, the influence of stress or depression depends on which condition came first, the analysis found. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:46:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250414124657.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410160955.htm Research on the biological basis of addiction has found that the critical epigenetic enzyme histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) limits the expression of the gene Scn4b, regulating neuronal activity and thereby the formation of strong drug-related memories, which can trigger relapse in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). The study, detailing these epigenetic mechanisms in the brain, uncovers a new molecular target for the development of novel SUD treatments. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:09:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410160955.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130617.htm The heart of the opioid epidemic that killed 665,341 people in the United States between 2005 and 2020 shifted geographically from the Northwest to the East, according to a new geographical analysis. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:06:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130617.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130511.htm A recent study found that people may perceive fewer negative effects of alcohol if they are also using cannabis at the same time. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:05:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250410130511.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173113.htm Heavy drinkers who have eight or more alcoholic drinks per week have an increased risk of brain lesions called hyaline arteriolosclerosis, signs of brain injury that are associated with memory and thinking problems, according to a new study. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:31:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250409173113.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402142430.htm For the first time researchers demonstrate in an animal how heavy alcohol use leads to long-term behavioral issues by damaging brain circuits critical for decision-making. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:24:30 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250402142430.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250331151251.htm Fear of emotions among couples with PTSD is associated with unproductive communication, according to a new study. Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:12:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250331151251.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326122927.htm Researchers have found a unique molecular signature and genes in the orbitofrontal cortex associated with heroin-seeking behavior. A preclinical rodent model implicated a gene called Shisa7 as the key predictor. A new study provides valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying heroin addiction and may have implications for the development of innovative strategies to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:29:27 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250326122927.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143200.htm For adolescents struggling with substance abuse, traditional in-person interventions such as counseling are not always effective, and rural areas often lack access to these services. A researcher is thinking outside the box, aiming to help game designers develop fun, digital games that make ditching bad habits easier by meeting adolescents where they already are: online. Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:32:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250319143200.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141840.htm Marijuana is now legal in many places, but is it safe? Two new studies add to mounting evidence that people who use cannabis are more likely to suffer a heart attack than people who do not use the drug, even among younger and otherwise healthy adults. The findings are from a retrospective study of over 4.6 million people and a meta-analysis of 12 previously published studies. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:18:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250318141840.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164522.htm A study of people who started ADHD stimulant treatment via telehealth vs in-person visits shows no difference in risk of new substance use disorders except for young adults age 26-34. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:45:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305164522.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305134819.htm Researchers have developed a compound that relieves pain in mice but doesn't affect the brain, thereby avoiding mind-altering side effects and abuse potential. The custom-designed molecule, derived from cannabis, may provide an alternative to opioids for treating chronic pain. Wed, 05 Mar 2025 13:48:19 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250305134819.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303191508.htm Learning to think more about specific events in the future appears to reduce impulsivity, improve decision-making, and shows potential as a therapy for alcohol use disorder, a new study found. The study, which involved 24 participants whose brains were scanned during both resting-state and task-based fMRI, showed brain connections were altered by future thinking. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 19:15:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303191508.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303141158.htm Adolescent substance use is a significant predictor of future addiction and related disorders. Understanding neural mechanisms underlying substance use initiation and frequency during adolescence is critical for early prevention and intervention. A novel study shows that by tracking year-to-year changes in brain connectivity underlying cognitive control, the ability to flexibly use goals to guide behavior and overcome habitual responses, data can predict when an adolescent is at high risk of starting to use substances, an important message for early prevention. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:11:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250303141158.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226163231.htm Imagine a future where the grip of cocaine use disorder can be loosened, where cravings fade, and the risk of relapse diminishes. A new study brings this vision closer to reality. The research has identified a critical brain circuit that plays a pivotal role in regulating cocaine-seeking behavior. Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:32:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250226163231.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125541.htm The combination of prescribed central nervous system stimulants, such as drugs that relieve ADHD symptoms, with prescribed opioid medications is associated with a pattern of escalating opioid intake, a new study has found. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:55:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250221125541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220122931.htm A new study analyzes the disease burden and the risk factors for severity among people who suffer from a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Researchers say the condition occurs in people who are long-term regular consumers of cannabis and causes nausea, uncontrollable vomiting and excruciating pain in a cyclical pattern that often leads to repeated trips to the hospital. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:29:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220122931.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220122518.htm With the goal of informing clinician practice, a new study explores the harms and benefits of continuing and of discontinuing the long-term prescription of opioid medicines to adults with chronic pain. Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:25:18 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250220122518.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111405.htm In the face of the alarming number of opioid-related deaths in the U.S., there have been national efforts to increase emergency clinician prescribing of buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:14:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111405.htm