Readable research linked to original sources
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Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
Loading articles data…
Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
49 articles
Newest firstBackgroundIndividuals who directly experience major natural disasters are at an increased risk for developing psychological distress and engaging in substance use. Beyond such direct experiences, however, viewing media portrayals of disasters could serve as an indirect means of exposure to a disaster. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between exposure to natural disaster information on so…
Open article record in new tab ↗This study uses keyword filtering, a transformer-based algorithm, and inductive content coding to identify and characterize cannabis adverse experiences as discussed on the social media platform Reddit and reports a total of 1177 self-reported adverse experiences requiring medical attention.
Open article record in new tab ↗ObjectiveThe priorities of people with mental health challenges should be reflected in the research conducted on their behalf. Quantifying alignment of priorities with the unmet needs of people with lived experience is challenging, and to our knowledge, such alignment has not been extensively studied in bipolar disorder (BD). Natural language processing approaches comparing common topics derived from public forums…
Background Social media influencers who promote e-cigarettes on Instagram or TikTok for tobacco brands use marketing tactics to increase the appeal of their promotional content, for example, depicting e-cigarettes alongside healthy lifestyle or entertainment imagery that could decrease youths' risk perceptions of e-cigarettes. Monitoring the prevalence of such content on social media using computer vision and gene…
Adolescent substance use imposes lasting costs on education, mental health, and lifetime earnings, with early initiation strongly predicting adult dependence. Despite legal prohibition, approximately 21% of U.S. high school students report current alcohol use, 18% report current nicotine vaping, and 16% report current cannabis use. Social media plausibly contributes to these patterns, yet prior studies rely on bro…
Open article record in new tab ↗ObjectiveThis study examined how educational preparation and social media use shape healthcare delivery among healthcare professionals in a district-level public hospital in Ghana. It explored how education influences health communication and patient engagement, how social media platforms are used in routine practice, and how ethical concerns shape digital engagement. Study DesignAn exploratory qualitative case st…
Importance Adolescents are exposed to e-cigarette and cannabis content on social media. Understanding associations of these exposures with use and dual use of these products can guide regulations. Objective To assess whether adolescent exposure to e-cigarette and/or cannabis content on social media, including posts by various content creators, is associated with e-cigarette, cannabis, and dual use. Design, setting…
Background Adolescent problematic social media use (PSMU) has been increasing. Digital engagement has been associated with substance use, but little is known about the potential protective role of parents. We investigated whether screen and substance-related parental rules moderated the associations between (problematic) SMU and intake of tobacco, alcohol, hashish/marijuana, and laughing gas. Methods We used data…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Reports of hospitalization associated with Diamond Shruumz-branded mushroom-containing products in October 2024 led to a manufacturer's recall that restricted the sale, distribution, and accessibility of this new and emerging psychoactive product. Objective This study seeks to assess the continuing online availability of a mushroom-containing edible product in a diverse e-commerce landscape, specificall…
Background Existing literature shows that persons with substance use disorder (SUD) experience different stages of readiness to reduce or abstain from substance use, and tailoring intervention change strategies to these stages may facilitate recovery. Moreover, stigma may serve as a barrier to recovery by preventing persons with SUDs from seeking treatment. In recent years, the behavior change technique (BCT) taxo…
Background YouTube has become a major source of health information, with 2.5 billion monthly users. Despite efforts taken to promote reliable sources, misinformation remains prevalent, particularly regarding medical cannabis. Objective This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of medical cannabis information on YouTube and to examine the relationship between video popularity and content quality. Meth…
Background Although cyberbullying has been linked with adverse health outcomes, most prior studies have been cross-sectional, and there are limited large-scale, prospective analyses examining cyberbullying and mental health and substance use outcomes in early adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine prospective associations between cyberbullying, mental health, and substance use experimentati…
Background Cannamom culture (CMC), an online movement for acceptance of cannabis use among mothers, has gained traction on social media. The urgency for exploration of CMC in a Canadian context was enhanced through legalization of cannabis in 2018, followed by legalization of cannabis edibles in 2019. Objectives We sought to explore cannamoms' social media and blog posts, and their representations of cannabis use…
Technological devices play a central role in adolescents' life. Despite concerns about negative effects of excessive screen time, there is little knowledge of screen behaviors' genetic architecture. Using self-reports from adolescents in the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (n = 18,490), we performed genome-wide association analysis for four screen behaviors: time spent (1) watching television; (2)…
Background Although rates of tobacco use in California have declined overall, adults in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), particularly Hispanic or Latinos ("Latinos"), have disproportionately high rates of tobacco use, tobacco-related illness, and mortality. Residents of the SJV also have limited access to cessation support services and need accessible, nonclinical alternatives. Given high smartphone use rates among L…
Background The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the challenges associated with mental health and substance use (SU), with societal and economic upheavals leading to heightened stress and increased reliance on drugs as a coping mechanism. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from June 2020 showed that 13% of Americans used substances more frequently due to pandemic-related stress, accompanied by an 18% rise…
Background Cigarette smokers often use e-cigarettes to quit smoking. The outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in 2019 summer sparked discussions about vaping. However, there is a gap in exploring EVALI's impact on discussions related to smoking cessation and vaping in smoking cessation on social media. Objective This study examines trends, sentiments, and topics in smoking…
Open article record in new tab ↗Objectives Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more researchers have used to online data collection to recruit participants to research studies. However, one perceived limitation of online data collection is a belief that it results in lower quality data due to the introduction of bots or misrepresentation by participants to qualify for study compensation. The current study demonstrates that following recommendations for…
Open article record in new tab ↗IntroductionFemale Sex Workers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries face increased risks of violence, exploitation, stigma, and limited access to healthcare, leading to vulnerability in their communities. Modern communication technologies have transformed FSW interactions with clients, facilitating easier and more accessible connections. This scoping review explores the use of social media by women involved in sex…
Open article record in new tab ↗Social media has become an increasingly important way to seek and share experiences, support, knowledge, and advice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reddit, a pseudonymous social media platform, was one way that young people interacted during the pandemic. Our study goals were two-fold: (1) to categorize information sought and provided by users of r/saplings, a subreddit devoted to cannabis use and is often used by y…
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