New Atlas

Science Audio available

Ancient marijuana use uncovered in 2,500-year-old tomb

Rich Haridy June 12, 2019

A study has revealed cannabis residue with high levels of THC in funerary incense burners found in western China. The discovery is the earliest evidence of marijuana being burned for its psychoactive properties, as the THC levels found were higher than what is seen in wild types of the plant.

One of the wooden burners found in the Pamir region and analyzed in the current study ...

Science Audio available

Synthetic CBD proves to be cheaper, and just as effective, as its cannabis-derived cousin

Rich Haridy May 28, 2019

A team of chemists from the University of California, Davis, recently demonstrated a new synthetic analogue of cannabidiol (CBD) may be just as effective for medicinal uses as its naturally extracted counterpart. This synthetic CBD compound also promises to be easier, cheaper and faster to produce.

A synthetic molecule called H2CBD has beens found to be just as effective in treating induced ...

Medical Audio available

Study suggests marijuana-derived CBD can play a role in treating heroin addiction

Rich Haridy May 21, 2019

A new study suggests CBD can reduce cravings and anxiety in subjects with a history of heroin use. The study doesn't imply CBD alone can help break an opioid addiction but instead points to the marijuana ingredient acting as a tool to help reduce cravings in those struggling with heroin addiction.

A study has found CBD reduced a person's cravings for heroin and anxiety associated with the ...

Medical Audio available

Can medicinal cannabis help intellectually disabled children with behavioral problems?

Rich Haridy April 29, 2019

A study is underway investigating cannabis as a treatment for behavioral problems in intellectually disabled children. It's hoped the research will move into larger clinical trials following anecdotal reports that medicinal cannabis can reduce incidents of aggression and self-harm in children.

A pilot study is looking at whether CBD reduces cases of aggression and self-harm in children ...

Science Audio available

Super potent, high-THC marijuana associated with increased rates of psychosis

Rich Haridy March 20, 2019

A study examining the association between potent marijuana, frequency of use and psychosis has revealed a link between stronger marijuana and higher incidences of psychotic disorders. The research suggests limiting THC concentrations may reduce mental health issues associated with the drug.

Marijuana with THC levels above 10 percent has been associated with greater incidences of psychotic episodes

Science

Yeast engineered to cheaply produce marijuana cannabinoids

Rich Haridy February 28, 2019

In an exciting new breakthrough from scientists at UC Berkeley, common brewer’s yeast has been engineered to produce several major cannabinoids found in marijuana. This innovation promises faster, cheaper and easier production of these compounds for use in research and medical treatments.

The new method allows for cheaper and faster production of medical-grade cannabinoids in large quantities

Science

Marijuana legalization is not associated with higher teenage use, new study claims

Rich Haridy February 19, 2019

With a growing body of evidence confirming the potential harm marijuana can cause on a growing adolescent brain, it is reasonable to ask what governmental policy best reduces teenage consumption. A new study has concluded that tough marijuana laws are not associated with reduced teenage use.

New research revealed a 2015 study claiming marijuana legalization increased teenage use may have been incorrect

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Teen marijuana use linked to depression later in life, but what does this mean?

Rich Haridy February 13, 2019

A meta-study has examined the correlation between depression in young adulthood and marijuana usage in adolescence. The research concludes a significant association between teen marijuana use and depression in later life, but experts suggest caution in determining if the relationship is causal.

Despite a new meta-study finding a strong association between adolescent marijuana use and later-life depression, experts ...

Science

Marijuana legalization sees temporary rise in traffic fatalities in some US states

Rich Haridy February 6, 2019

A new study has collected seven years of data from Colorado, Washington, and Oregon – three of the earliest US states to legalize marijuana – in order to offer a clearer insight into whether traffic fatalities increased after marijuana legalization.

A new study reveals that traffic deaths may have slightly increased after marijuana legalization, but they ...

Medical

From gene-edited babies to male contraceptives: The most exciting medical innovations in 2018

Rich Haridy December 20, 2018

Alongside new discoveries in gut-brain communication and the genesis of Alzheimer’s disease, the FDA advanced acceptance of psychedelic medicines, from psilocybin to marijuana. But looming over all of these milestones was the controversial alleged birth of the world’s first gene-edited baby.

The birth of the world's first CRISPR gene-edited baby cements 2018 as a major year in ...