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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.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
96 articles
Newest firstBACKGROUND: Adolescent substance abuse is a growing public health concern associated with poor mental health, unsafe sexual behaviour, violence, school dropout, and psychosocial dysfunction. In rural South Africa, peer influence, cultural practices, poverty, and inadequate psychosocial support may increase learners' vulnerability to substance use. However, limited qualitative evidence exists on how these factors i…
Open article record in new tab ↗AbstractBackgroundErectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions and is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression—conditions that share risk factors with substance use disorders.AimThis study investigates the temporal relationship between ED diagnosis and subsequent substance abuse/dependence diagnoses across different age groups.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used the TriNetX database t…
Background and Objectives: One of the strongest early factors influencing later psychoactive substance use is adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Studies investigate a variety of adverse experiences in relation to substance use, yet not all adverse childhood experiences are equal in intensity and harm. Our study aimed to address this gap by examining in detail the associations between individual ACEs, broader AC…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Conventional psychological and pharmacological substance abuse treatments are limited to moderate effect sizes and fail to magnify outcomes when combined. Analog psychedelic agents N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) show therapeutic potential for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders including substance addictions. Methods This systematic review and meta-…
Addiction poses a major global public health challenge. It is characterized by high prevalence, chronic relapse and limited efficacy of available pharmacotherapies across different substance use disorders. Increasing evidence demonstrates that incretin-based therapies directly modulate metabolic signaling pathways that intercross with central reward and motivational circuits, including hypothalamic-mesolimbic netw…
College students use substances for varied reasons, including to cope with stress. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) regulates bodily functions to promote energy conservation (the 'rest and digest' response), and individuals differ in their physiological sensitivity to challenge. It remains unclear whether greater PNS responses (i.e., declines in PNS activity, termed vagal withdrawal) to challenge could sug…
Open article record in new tab ↗Substance use disorders are a global health problem with detrimental effects on one's health, wealth, and stealth. It includes the use of prescribed medications or the use of illicit drugs in excess amounts or for excess durations associated with complex neuropsychiatric and/or physical manifestations. It affects every organ in the body, and the liver is no exception to the deleterious effects of substance abuse.…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) remain a leading global public health challenge, with driving under the influence of psychoactive substances significantly elevating crash risk. Despite India's high burden of road traffic injuries, data on substance use among injured drivers - particularly in central India - are limited. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol and drug…
Open article record in new tab ↗The purpose of the study was to examine the association between depression and substance abuse and to assess their prevalence and associated factors. A cross-sectional design was employed. To collect data for the present study, 2 scales (Beck depression inventory and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement screening Test [ASSIST]) was administered to students. Two hundred fifty seven Addis Ababa Institute of T…
Open article record in new tab ↗Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive vascular disease characterized by atherosclerotic narrowing of peripheral arteries, resulting in decreased blood flow to the extremities. Common risk factors for PAD are diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, although it can also occur in patients without these comorbidities, such as in the use of marijuana or alcohol. Recent research suggests that marijuana an…
Open article record in new tab ↗Tau protein is essential for the structural stability of neurons, particularly through its role in microtubule assembly and axonal transport. However, when abnormally hyperphosphorylated or cleaved, Tau can aggregate into insoluble forms that disrupt neuronal function, contributing to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging evidence suggests that similar Tau-relate…
Introduction Substance use among adolescents is a public health problem. We culturally adapted The Social Competence Promotion Program for Young Adolescents (SCPP-YA) program to the school context in Chile (henceforth "Mi Mejor Plan or MMP") and assessed the acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, and quality of the implementation among 6th graders. We also explored the efficacy of the program in improving individua…
Background and Objectives: The worldwide shift toward psychiatric deinstitutionalization has aimed to enhance patient autonomy, social integration, and overall quality of life. However, limited studies have examined how concurrent substance use-particularly alcohol, marijuana, and inhalable drugs-affects clinical outcomes in these populations. This study aimed to evaluate psychiatric patients with varying degrees…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Understanding drug abuse triggers is crucial for preventing youth from succumbing to addiction. This study aimed to identify the drivers and psychosocial factors influencing illicit drug-substance abuse among individuals undergoing deaddiction treatment at male drug rehabilitation centers in eastern Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 14 registered drug rehabilitation centers in Kosh…
Open article record in new tab ↗Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are recognized risk factors for later substance use. Yet, data remain scarce-particularly regarding the differentiated effects of specific types of ACEs and their distinct associations with various psychoactive substances. The current study is one of the first in Lithuania to explore the associations between specific ACEs and psychoactive substance use in young adulthood (ages…
Synthetic cannabinoids, such as Mojo, are increasingly used among adolescents and young adults due to their perceived legality and accessibility. These compounds exhibit significantly greater potency than natural cannabis, with full agonist activity at cannabinoid receptors, and have been associated with a range of adverse effects, including cardiovascular toxicity. The underlying mechanisms may involve sympatheti…
Open article record in new tab ↗Treatment default in tuberculosis care undermines disease control efforts, contributing to ongoing transmission, drug resistance, and adverse health outcomes. Zambia, like many high-burden countries, continues to face challenges with patient adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment, especially in urban informal settlements. Despite the national TB programs efforts, limited research has specifically explored the ca…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to be a public health challenge of significant importance. The immunomodulatory effects of substances of abuse have been extensively studied but there is a dearth of information on their effects on plasma interleukin-40 (IL-40) level, a biomarker of B cell activity, and its consequent effects on plasma total IgA level in patients with substance use disorders (SUD)…
Open article record in new tab ↗The prevalence of cannabis use for recreational and medicinal purposes has steadily increased. While it is commonly used to alleviate pain, its use is also associated with many acute and chronic adverse effects. There are cases reported on the negative impact of cannabis use on gastrointestinal (GI) disorders; however, there have been few reported cases linking cannabis use to acute pancreatitis. This case report…
Open article record in new tab ↗Cannabis is a widely used substance among the youth population, with an estimated 2.8% currently smoking cannabis. Its popularity is growing due to the perception of its harmless nature and lack of dependence. However, this increase in use has been linked to mental health issues, especially since its partial decriminalisation in some part of the United States and Australia. The objective of this scoping review was…
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