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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.
46 articles
Newest firstCannabis use increases the risk of psychosis, but cannabis-based medicinal products may provide additional therapeutic opportunities. Decriminalisation of cannabis has led to wider availability in certain jurisdictions, while in the UK regulated medicinal preparations are not readily accessible. A more balanced approach could reduce harms while maximising potential therapeutic benefits.
Open article record in new tab ↗Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with high levels of depression and anxiety among pregnant individuals in the UK, as shown previously in the EPPOCH cohort. However, the relationships between these psychological burdens, pandemic-related stressors, and substance use in the prenatal period have not been systematically investigated. Methods To address this gap, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis…
Background The public health impact of new nicotine products will depend on their use by different population groups. We assessed the prevalence of nicotine pouch use among youth and adults in Great Britain (GB). Aims and methods Cross-sectional annual Action on Smoking and Health Smokefree GB Adult Surveys 2020-2024 (n: 12 247 to 13 266, 18+) and Action on Smoking and Health Smokefree GB Youth Survey 2024 (n = 28…
Open article record in new tab ↗The British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines for the management of substance dependence focus primarily on the pharmacological aspects of treatment. A group of international experts from a wide range of disciplines reviewed the current evidence in their field, considered the strength of the evidence and discussed the clinical implications at a consensus meeting. The guidelines focus on the pharmacolog…
Background Population data on cannabis use-beyond prevalence and frequency of use-in the UK is lacking, yet needed to inform harm reduction messaging about cannabis. This study examined (a) recreational and medical cannabis use; (b) cannabis product use; (c) cannabis risk perceptions via three different routes of administration; (d) how product use and risk perceptions vary by reasons for use and higher risk use.…
Open article record in new tab ↗Introduction Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterised by widespread chronic pain, associated with comorbid mental health disorders and reduced quality of life. Preclinical data suggest cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) may have potential benefits in fibromyalgia, but there is a paucity of high-quality clinical evidence. This study aims to assess the change in patient-reported outcome measures (PROM…
Background Although there is growing evidence supporting the use of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for the management of chronic pain, there is a paucity of data on their effect on endometriosis-associated chronic pain. Aims This study aimed to perform an analysis of pain-specific and general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes for patients with endometriosis-associated chronic pain treated…
ObjectivesCurrent methods of health expenditure reporting make spending on palliative care services difficult to quantify. This paper (1) examines trends in the components of government (public) spending on health-related long-term care reported in the UK Health Accounts for the period of 2013 to 2022 to establish the wider context of palliative care expenditure, and (2) relates these trends to existing knowledge…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background A third of epilepsy patients fail to enter seizure remission despite optimal therapeutic management. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have shown promise as a potential therapy. However, a paucity of high-quality literature regarding CBMPs' efficacy and safety profile means further investigation is needed. The study aimed to examine changes in epilepsy-specific and general health-related quality…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Alzheimer's Disease (ad) patients often experience clinically significant agitation, leading to distress, increased healthcare costs and earlier institutionalisation. Current treatments have limited efficacy and significant side effects. Cannabinoid-based therapies, such as the nabiximols oral spray (Sativex®; 1:1 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol), offer potential alternatives. We aimed to e…
Background Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are prevalent in prisons and among people who experience homelessness in the UK and can cause serious harms to people who use them. While it is currently not possible to test for SCs at the point of care (POC), a new method for doing so using fluorescence spectral fingerprinting has recently been developed. In this study, we aimed to outline the potential utility of POC SC t…
Background Adolescence is a key developmental period associated with an increased risk of experiencing cannabis-related problems. Identifying modifiable risk factors prior to the onset of cannabis use could help inform preventative interventions. Method Analysis nested within a UK prospective birth cohort study, the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Participants (n = 6,049) provided data on cannabis…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Central neuromodulators, specifically tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), are prescribed as prophylactic treatment for cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS). It is unclear whether opioids and/or cannabis affect the treatment response to neuromodulators. The aims of this study were to assess: (i) the prevalence of opioid and cannabis use among outpatients with CVS, (ii) clinical characteristics associated with…
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…
Childhood callous-unemotional (CU) traits are associated with a neurocognitive response style of high reward and low punishment sensitivity, which may make these children particularly vulnerable to substance misuse. However, the mechanisms explaining the link between CU traits and substance use are poorly understood. This study investigated the mediating influences of reward and punishment sensitivity on the assoc…
Background Existing scales that measure cannabis use motives have failed to incorporate the full range of motives that underpin cannabis consumption, especially with the increased use of medical cannabis. The current research aimed to develop a novel, psychometrically robust scale that comprehensively measures cannabis use motives. Here, we report the development and validation of the Comprehensive Cannabis Motive…
Open article record in new tab ↗The aim of this study was to assess changes in validated patient-reported outcome measures after initiation of cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) and the safety of CBMPs in patients with inflammatory arthritis. A prospective case series from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry was analyzed. The primary outcomes changes were in Brief Pain Inventory, McGill Pain Questionnaire, EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D-…
Adolescent substance use can have a significant negative impact on life trajectories. Therefore, identifying factors associated with adolescent substance use is important. Previous research has identified parental religiosity as a factor associated with lower adolescent substance use. However, these studies suffered from a number of limitations and are often focussed on US samples, which limit the generalisability…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Cannabis is a commonly used psychoactive drug, but its cognitive effects remain unclear, particularly in older adults. This study examined associations between past and present cannabis use and cognitive function among dementia-free older adults. Methods Cross-sectional and longitudinal data were drawn from the UK Biobank, including adults aged ≥60 years. Cannabis use patterns were self-reported, and co…
Open article record in new tab ↗Introduction Chronic pain (CP) affects 35.0%-51.3% of the UK population, with 67%-88% reporting sleep disturbances. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have shown therapeutic potential in managing CP. Evidence suggests poor sleep worsens pain perception; therefore, this study aimed to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following CBMP treatment in CP patients with and without co-morbid sleep imp…
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