MJ News Redux, Neanderthal Genes and Addiction/Disease, Strange Addiction of Week
Marijuana stories continue to dominate the news. Stories on the Super Bowl NFL players and pot, anti-MJ ads on Super Bowl, AJ Holder comments on ease banking restrictions for marijuana businesses, big investors meet in Las Vegas to discuss strategies for investing (lots) in the emergent pot industry, and marijuana enters county fairs competion. And the strange addiction this week is trying to look like Justin Bieber – strange indeed!
Heroin, Energy Drink Ban, Fingertip Drug Testing, AA vs Addiction Docs
Heroin is at epidemic levels in Vermont and a major concern, says its governor … Vermont and other small states have a greater per capita heroin problem than big cities, and overdose deaths have increased dramatically. Also, calls for banning of Monster Energy Drink, following a 19 year old’s death, and increased emergency room caffeine poisonings cases. Using the sweat from fingertips is the latest innovation in drug testing. And a discussion on the ongoing conflict between subscribers to the AA model of recovery vs. addiction doctors and their adherents. Also “amnesty boxes in Denver airport for MJ, and more on e-cigarettes, which have been banned in some places.
MJ Biz has Roaring Start in CO, Dabbing, Genetic Testing for ADHD, E-Cigs on TV
Recreational marijuana business got off to a roaring starting in Colorado, with $5 million is sales reported for the first week. Dabbing is a general term for several ways to extract the THC from the marijuana and greatly increase the potency. Genetic testing and treatment for ADHD is being explored. Low levels of dopamine seems to be part of the condition. And e-cigarette companies are planning a major advertising effort for this year, including TV ads. Meanwhile the FDA is intending to adopt new regulations for e-cigarettes, and New York City and a few other areas are requiring tobacco and e-cigarette purchasers to be 21.
MJ Issues and Increases, Adderall, Doctors and Big Pharma, E-Cigs
The legalization of medical and recreational marijuana is bringing up many issues: DUIs, how to reliably test for it, increased use by adolescents, and various health issues. Adderall stories continue with a new study saying early use DOES lead to a greater likelihood of cocaine addiction, not the opposite. Doctors on the payrolls of big pharma companies, with some saying they will no longer pay doctors to promote their drugs, but will still engage them to do research. And new reports noting e-cigarettes and their connection to heart disease. PODCAST
Addiction Treatment under the Affordable Care Act, On-line Gambling, Zebrafish and the Stop Switch
More treatment under the Affordable Care Act is being envisioned, but it not may not be as easy as we might hope … also followup on online gambling, and research on the zebrafish is giving scientists a better understanding of the “stop- switch” and the “go-switch.” And more on e-cigarettes. PODCAST
Are State Lotteries Encouraging Gambling Addiction?
A recent series in the Oregonian looks at state sponsored gambling and aggressive marketing, and asks whether the lottery is actually encouraging problem gambling. Bill Cohen guests. PODCAST
Stop Switch, more on ADHD Drug Effects, Zohydro and Buprenorphine
New research has located the “Stop Switch” which when damaged, can lead to craving and addiction issues. Another study is showing use of ADHD drugs by young people can make them more susceptible to cocaine addiction. And a discussion of the new 10x more powerful hydrocodone – Zohydro, and the opiate addiction medication buprenorphine. PODCAST
New Brain Area and Addiction, Charlotte’s Web Medical MJ, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Most be Covered by Insurance
A new area of the brain has been correlated to addiction, especially nicotine, according to a study done at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Scientists say treatments aimed at reducing activity in this area could one day help people overcome tobacco addiction, especially drug cravings. A unique and fairly new strain of medical marijuana called Charlotte’s Web is extracted from Cannabidial, a cannabinoid without the Delta-9 THC which gets people high. It is particularly effective in treating childhood epilepsy. And in a statement from HHS Secetary Kathleen Sebelius, the administration has made it very clear that insurance companies must cover mental health and substance abuse treatment in the same way as they cover other chronic, persistent disorders like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc. PODCAST
25i-N-BOMe, Relieving Emotion Pain – Not Getting High, GABA and Craving
A new designer psychedelic hitting the street, and other designer drugs and their impacts. A new study suggests addicts might be seeking relief from emotional pain, rather than euphoric highs … reduced drug craving with drugs that impact the GABA system, the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter. Flavored cigs, and the troubles of Toronto’s mayor. PODCAST
Opiates and Pain, Copenhagen Model, Italian Treatment Community, E-cigs
A look at chronic pain treatment with opioids, and a detailed look into the opiate and pain background in CNS’s new Beyond Opiates video, We talk about Zohydro, a new stronger hydrocodone, Italy’s interesting treatment model that is a large community that farms, grows grapes and makes wine, and has enough dedicated runners to send a group to the NYC Marathon. And “re-normalizing smoking behavior with e-cigarettes. PODCAST.