According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States (though it is now legal on the state level in the majority of states) – with 48.2 million people, or 18% of Americans, reportedly using it at least…
New research from Mayo Clinic says that vaping-related lung injuries are likely due to toxic chemical fumes. The CDC has reported over 800 lung injuries associated with vaping or electronic cigarette use in the past several months; additionally, there have been 12 confirmed deaths related to these injuries. Mayo Clinic…
Spending time in green spaces can reduce cravings that contribute to behaviors like smoking, drinking, and unhealthy eating. This, from researchers at the University of Plymouth’s School of Psychology. This study administered a survey that asked participants about green space exposure including the proportion of green space in an individual’s…
I have been sober for over four years. I am in amazement as I type that, but I also reflect on the terribly long and hard road it took me to get to where I am today. I used to be known as a “chronic relapser.” In other words, I…
Substance abuse is a serious disease that plagues the lives of both men and women. It is characterized by problems controlling use of a substance (alcohol or drugs), failure to quit even when it affects important areas of life, and the development of cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal when use of…
A fast-acting psychedelic drug could help treat depression and anxiety. This, from a Johns Hopkins University study that surveyed 362 adults. Researchers found that the use of a synthetic psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT, is associated with improvements in depression and anxiety when taken in a controlled setting. Approximately 80% of those surveyed…
New research says that a fast-acting psychedelic drug could help treat depression and anxiety. Researchers investigated whether administration of this psychedelic in a controlled group setting might affect self-reported feelings of depression and anxiety. The team controlled the dose and ensured that participants had support during and after use of…
While many know that drugs and alcohol play a significant role in mental health, it isn’t as clear what that role is: can drug and alcohol use cause mental illness? Or does persistent drug/alcohol use merely signify a mental illness. As it turns out, the answer isn’t so black and…
It might already be universally understood that using alcohol and/or drugs to cope with mental illness is a bad idea, but the “whys” of it might be less clear. It’s a big topic and there’s a lot of information out there, especially with all the discussions around legalization. Coping or…
While it’s understandable to feel uncertain about taking medication to treat your mental health condition, it’s important to consider doing so as a viable treatment option. Be open with your doctor about your symptoms, so they can help you weigh your treatment options and ultimately decide whether medication is the…
You can help your love ones through addiction recovery by supporting and listening to them, but you must be careful about your own words. The wrong words can easily hurt an addict, even when you didn’t mean it “that way,” which means it’s important you know what not to say…
Addiction is, in fact, a disease of the brain, but many continue to insist that it is not—and doing so only causes sufferers further harm. This stigma surrounding addiction discourages those who suffer with the disease from opening up about their struggles and getting the help that they need. To…
