As with most medical illnesses, risk for mental health problems depends both on things we can control, and things we cannot. Primary care doctors tell us that our risk for having a heart attack is increased if we are older, or if we have a family history of heart problems – but also if we are overweight, smoke…
Research Review: Let’s Study the Risks and Benefits of Medical Cannabis
Policy regarding the medical use of cannabis in the US is changing rapidly and differs dramatically depending on region. To date, thirty-three states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical use, and many other states are working on legalization. Medical marijuana is the use of the marijuana plant or chemicals in it to treat diseases or conditions. Medical marijuana consists of the same chemical components as recreational marijuana, but it’s taken for medical purposes. Thousands of adults in the US are using cannabis to treat mental health issues such as…
Scientific Article: The Opioid Epidemic
What are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that produce various effects, including pain relief and feelings of being relaxed or “high.” Unfortunately, they can also cause slowed breathing, nausea, confusion, and drowsiness. Opioids are highly addictive and are the class of drugs that cause the highest number of overdose deaths in the US.
There are several types of opioids…