Cannabis use is associated with reduced brain volumes in a region involved in facial emotion processing, according to a new study in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging.
“There is a high rate of overlap between regular (at least weekly) cannabis use and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety,” said study author Kristin E. Maple, a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“People with depression and anxiety often have differences in brain structure in regions that process facial emotions. The current study was designed to investigate whether cannabis users (without mood or other psychiatric disorders) have similar differences in brain structure, and whether those abnormalities are related to problems processing facial emotions.”
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NPR: A Russian Biologist Wants To Create More Gene-Edited Babies
A Moscow scientist claims he has a safe way of editing genes in human embryos — a method that could protect resulting babies from being infected with HIV. Approval of the experiment seems unlikely.
Medical News Today: Hundreds of current medical practices may be ineffective
Medical News Today: A new meta-analysis of over 3,000 studies finds that almost 400 medical practices are currently being used despite being ineffective.
Business Insider: Evidence is mounting that psychedelic drugs can help treat diseases. Here are the most promising uses.
Evidence is mounting that psychedelic drugs can help treat diseases. Here are the most promising uses.
AP News: What’s so bad about processed foods? Scientists offer clues
What’s so bad about processed foods? Scientists offer clues
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In those Western societies, surveys have shown that people’s interest in using sex selection techniques is encouraged by the desire for a sexually balanced family. It is important to determine attitudes to sex selection in a wider range of countries especially that cultural differences exist among countries.
Gut bacteria: The surprising impact of viruses / Medical News Today
The microbiome plays a vital role in health. A recent study has investigated how viruses that kill gut bacteria influence these microbes. The findings make an already complicated picture much more so.
AP News: New gene tests for germs quickly reveal source of infections
New gene tests for germs quickly reveal source of infections
MedicineNet: Legalizing Medical Pot Won’t Ease Opioid Crisis: Study
HealthDay News) — Medical marijuana has been a beacon of hope in the opioid epidemic, with states legalizing weed in hopes that its use will cut down on fatal overdoses from painkiller use.
Now, a new study is throwing cold water on that notion.
There’s no association between medical marijuana laws and opioid overdose death rates, researchers report.
Article: ‘Jumping genes’ could help CRISPR replace disease-causing DNA, study finds
‘Jumping genes’ could help CRISPR replace disease-causing DNA, study finds
THN 