Exercising, at even basic recommended weekly physical activity levels (at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity), may offset some of the harmful effects of drinking alcohol, suggests new research. This first-of-its-kind study found that for alcohol drinkers, physical activity may decrease the risks of dying both from cancer and from ‘all-cause mortality’ that is, deaths from any cause. Read more
Physical activity may offset some of alcohol’s lethal harms
Drinking to belong: Students and low self-esteem
It’s that time of year again, when students old and new are heading to university. Certain behaviors might be expected in the coming months, drinking in particular. Drinking is widespread among student populations, whether for social enrichment or the need to conform. However, many college students experience the darker side of binge drinking; violence, unsafe sex or poor academic performance. New research examines motivations for drinking in students with low self-esteem, finding that these individuals indulge far more than their more confident peers. Read more
People judge their level of intoxication, drunkenness on their peers
While becoming intoxicated can impair brain function and result in poor judgment, a new study by Cardiff University in the United Kingdom finds that people’s perception of how trashed they are is judged in comparison to how drunk they think their peers are, rather than based on how much alcohol they have consumed. Individuals are more likely to underestimate their own level of drinking, drunkenness, and the associated health risks when surrounded by others who are intoxicated. However, people feel more at risk of health implications and are more aware of their own level of intoxication when in the presence of sober people, the study says. Read more
Older adults with long-term alcohol dependence lose neurocognitive abilities
Heavy drinking can lead to neurophysiological and cognitive changes ranging from disrupted sleep to more serious neurotoxic effects. Aging can also contribute to cognitive decline. Several studies on the interaction of current heavy drinking and aging have had varied results. This study sought to elucidate the relations among age, heavy drinking, and neurocognitive function. Read more
Specific trauma experiences contribute to women’s alcohol use, differs by race
Trauma exposure has consistently been reported as a risk factor for alcohol use and related problems. Further, racial differences in alcohol use, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and trauma exposure between European American (EA) and African American (AA) women have been reported previously. This study sought to identify racial differences in alcohol involvement, and to examine the risk conferred by specific trauma exposures and PTSD for different stages of alcohol involvement in EA and AA women. Read more
Incidence of psychiatric disorders has increased in a shrinking population of smokers
While cigarette smoking rates have declined among younger people in the United States, those who do smoke are more likely to have a psychiatric or substance use disorder compared with those who began smoking in earlier decades, new research indicates. Read more
Stimulant abuse may hamper moral judgment
Regular cocaine and methamphetamine users can have difficulty choosing between right and wrong, perhaps because the specific parts of their brains used for moral processing and evaluating emotions are damaged by their prolonged drug habits, according to a study among prison inmates. Read more
Study pinpoints behavior type linked to binge drinking in young adults
While there are a number of studies on alcohol misuse, most of the research has been focused on the adult population. Alcohol is the most widely used drug among young adults between the ages of 18 to 25. Binge drinking – almost a rite of passage – peaks during the college years. So this begs the question, “Are there specific characteristics associated with high-level binge drinking habits in college students?” A new psychology study conducted at Florida Atlantic University is the first to delve into the specific subcomponents of inhibition behavior as it relates to binge drinking to help predict who may be at high risk, and to better develop targeted education, intervention, and support programs. Read more
Marijuana use may start from age 11, study finds
Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in the North America, and its use is particularly widespread among adolescents. Now, a new study has identified the ages at which adolescents are most likely to try the drug, which may have implications for current marijuana intervention programs. Read more
Smoking cannabis with tobacco decreases motivation to quit
Research, published this week, finds that individuals who smoke cannabis with tobacco have less motivation to quit than those who smoke it without tobacco. Read more