Author: Gary Jackson

A study analyzing data of the 2005 US National Alcohol Survey, including 4083 individuals, evaluated the association between current drinking status and early life drinking patterns with three health conditions, including hypertension. They described an increased risk for hypertension in lifetime abstainers and a reduced risk in the less-heavy consumption group; nonetheless, when adjusted by […]

Detoxification, often shortened to “detox,” is the process by which your body eliminates or neutralizes harmful substances, such as toxins, chemicals, and waste products. This process is carried out by various organs and systems within your body, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and digestive system. Anyone can increase the rate at which THC leaves […]

Even so, some people say they grew to appreciate the taste over the course of their ayahuasca experiences. It’s important to note that Rythmia is a well-known retreat that has both highly positive and scathingly negative online reviews. Also important to note is published reports exist of deaths, sexual assault and violent attacks by other […]

The drug achieves its main immediate psychological effect—the high—by causing a buildup of the neurochemical dopamine. If you or a loved one is using cocaine or misusing other substances, reach out to a healthcare provider for help. If a health event prompted your visit to your doctor, they’ll recommend treatment options and help supervise your […]

Driving under the influence of alcohol, or drink-driving, is a key risk factor for 27% of all road injuries. Thus, drink-driving is a significant public health problem that affects not only the alcohol user but also, in many cases, innocent parties such as passengers and pedestrians. Even at low blood-alcohol  levels,  drivers  experience  problems  with  […]

Cocaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that can be extracted from its botanical source and formulated into cocaine hydrochloride or ‘crack cocaine’. Cocaine induces its main psychoactive effects by impeding monoamine reuptake. The drug impacts several organs, such as the heart; brain; liver; kidneys; lungs; and has complex underlying mechanisms of toxicity that are herein […]

This can make it difficult to simply stop using the drug once you’ve started. Meth produces an intense high that comes on and fades quickly. Coming down can cause difficult emotional and physical symptoms, such as depression and insomnia. As a result, meth addiction often follows a pattern of bingeing on the drug for several […]

Another challenge related to the current wave of methamphetamine-related deaths is that medications to treat methamphetamine use disorder (especially among people with opioid use disorder) are still under development in the clinical trial pipeline [68]. Behavioral interventions such as contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy show some promise but concerns about their durability and sustainability […]

Long-term heavy drinking can cause interference between the brain and the eyes. It may also damage or speed up the aging of various structures inside the eye, such as the lens, retina, and optic nerve. The risk of developing age-related cataracts changes based on the amount of alcohol a person drinks. An Optometry and Vision […]

The research questions, inclusion criteria, review methods, and search strategy were all well described. Grey literature and hand searching were done and the full search strategy was provided in an appendix. The authors also indicated that they followed the PRISMA guidelines and that information was also provided in an appendix. Without this information, it is […]