Category: Irreverent Newsroom

Cannabis Surpasses Prescription Sleep Aids in US

More American Adults Now Using Cannabis for Sleep, Surpassing Prescription Medications and Alcohol

Recent findings from an industry-supported survey suggest that more American adults are now turning to cannabis than prescription medications or alcohol to aid their sleep. The report, based on a poll carried out by The Harris Poll on behalf of Green Thumb Industries and their “incredibles” edible range, indicates that about 16% of American adults aged 21 and up are using cannabis to help them drift off.

Shift towards Cannabis for Sleep Troubles

Even though the use of dietary supplements (26%) and drugs readily available over-the-counter (19%) for sleep still leads, cannabis consumption has surpassed that of prescribed sleep aids (12%) and alcoholic beverages (11%). The report points to a shift among the population towards favoring cannabis for tackling sleep disturbances.

Cannabis Users are a Significant Majority

Data collected from an online survey of 2,019 adults during the early part of June 2024 demonstrate that a considerable majority, 79%, experience difficulties with sleeping, with 58% of these individuals resorting to some form of substance for relief, and cannabis—comprising various marijuana and hemp-based products—capturing 16% of this group. Additionally, CBD, with or without the inclusion of melatonin, is chosen by a specific 10%.

Gender-based Usage Discrepancies

The survey, which reports a margin of error of ±2.5 percentage points, also reveals gender-based discrepancies in usage. Men are marginally more likely to choose cannabis (18%) and CBD (11%) for sleep aid compared to women, at 15% and 8% respectively. Looking at age demographics, younger women in the 21 to 34 range are reporting a higher usage of cannabis for sleep, whereas for men, it’s most prevalent among those aged 35 to 44.

Earnings Impact on Sleep Aid Choice

An individual’s earnings also appear to play a role in their choice of sleep aid, with those earning under $50,000 annually more apt to opt for cannabis (23%). In contrast, those with higher incomes tend toward supplements and over-the-counter options.

Parents More Likely to Use Cannabis

Furthermore, the survey uncovered that parents, especially those with young children, tend to use cannabis at larger rates for slumber, with a 21% usage rate reported among this demographic as opposed to 14% amongst non-parents.

Regional Usage Differences

Regionally, the Western (20%) and Northeastern (19%) parts of the United States show a higher predilection for using cannabis as a sleep aid, while this is less common in the South (13%) and Midwest (14%). Notably, 21% of people consuming cannabis-infused edibles do so with the intention of improving sleep.

Acceptance of Cannabis as a Component of Health and Wellness

Highlighting the crucial aspect of restful sleep, Ben Kovler, Green Thumb’s CEO, emphasizes the growing preference for cannabis for relaxation, sleep, and well-being. The insights gleaned from this poll not only spotlight a move towards natural sleep aids by Americans but also reflect the broader acceptance of cannabis as a component of health and wellness routines. With cannabis as a sleep aid becoming a more prevalent choice for American adults, this trend underscores a significant swing in attitudes towards natural remedies for sleep enhancement.

Linking Marijuana Laws to Lower Anxiety Rx Rates

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Recent findings indicate that the sanctioning of both medical and recreational marijuana in various states correlates with a downtrend in the frequency of anxiety medication prescriptions being dispensed.

Detailed in JAMA Network Open, a thorough investigation spearheaded by an applied policy researcher with expertise in risky behaviors and substance use economics, in collaboration with others, sought to explore how marijuana legislation and the presence of dispensaries affect the frequency of anxiety drug prescriptions among the privately insured.

Analyses from the Investigation

The scope of the investigation covered the dispensing of drugs, including benzodiazepines, recognized for their ability to soothe by enhancing the brain’s GABA neurotransmitter, with familiar examples being Valium, Xanax, and Ativan. Nonetheless, researchers did not report the influence of marijuana policies on the dispensing of barbiturates and sleep aids.

The data consistently pointed to a link between marijuana access and a reduced rate of benzodiazepine dispensing—which specifically refers to the patient retrieval of medications and not merely the quantity prescribed. The outcomes, however, were found to differ across states and were dependent on the specifics of the marijuana laws.

Health Policy Considerations

Given the statistics from 2021 where nearly 23 percent of adults in the United States reported a diagnosable mental health issue, yet only around 65.4 percent received treatment, the lack of adequate mental health care remains a pressing issue. Medical marijuana statutes often permit individuals with conditions such as PTSD to obtain cannabis, and recreational statutes broaden this access to most adults.

The results of the study are significant across various sectors, including insurance and policy development. The concurrent use of benzodiazepines and opioids poses significant risks, underscored by benzodiazepines being implicated in 14% of opioid-related fatalities in 2020. Consequently, marijuana might represent a safer alternative for managing anxiety, presuming it has comparable efficacy.

Additional Inquiries and Prospective Research

While the research highlighted shifts in prescription patterns, it did not discern whether such changes improved patient health outcomes. It also recorded a minor uptick in antipsychotic and antidepressant prescriptions, prompting questions about whether enhanced marijuana availability might affect incidences of psychotic disorders and depression. Considerable variability in policy impacts was observed amongst states, hinting that specific marijuana legislation could lead to diverse health implications.

These findings ignite crucial debate regarding the relationship between the legalization of marijuana and the use of prescription anxiety medications, advocating for more detailed research to fully grasp the advantages and potential drawbacks. The data compel further inquiry into the dynamics between sanctioned cannabis use and pharmaceutical reliance, especially in the realm of anxiety treatment.

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PEMF Exposure Risks to Liver, Immune System

A recent scientific analysis has revealed troubling evidence of the negative effects that long-term exposure to pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) may have on the liver and immune system functions in rats.

Carried out by a group of researchers from Harbin Medical University, the study underscores the urgency of assessing the repercussions of electromagnetic exposure for public health considerations.

Exploration Approach and Techniques

Published in the ‘Wien Klin Wochenschr’, the research divided male rats into a non-exposed control group and three separate groups that underwent varying levels of 50-Hz PEMF exposure, specifically at 5, 10, and 20 millitesla (mT), over a 10-week duration. The investigation centered on tracking changes in hepatic and immune function markers to identify possible impacts.

Principal Observations Indicate Oxidative Harm

Data from the investigation indicated a disturbing pattern. Activities of enzymes such as serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, along with elevated levels of serum, liver, and spleen lipid peroxidation metabolism (MDA) were substantially higher in the 10- and 20-mT PEMF-exposed groups compared to the control. These elevated levels suggest the liver could be sustaining oxidative damage due to the PEMF exposure.

Furthermore, the study found that the exposure had a significant diminishing effect on vital antioxidant enzymes including Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) within the serum, liver, and spleen. A decrease in serum immunoglobulins, critical to the immune system’s defenses, was also observed.

Inferences and Prospective Concerns

The researchers concluded, “Long-term PEMF exposure may lead to oxidative damage in the liver and spleen,” indicating potential risks to organisms frequently in contact with electromagnetic fields. The results are particularly relevant considering the escalating presence of electromagnetic field-generating devices. Consequently, these insights demand additional research to define safe exposure thresholds and to fully grasp the long-term health consequences for humans.

The evolving knowledge about the biological effects of PEMF is essential in informing future health guidelines and in creating a balance between benefiting from electromagnetic technologies and safeguarding public health.

Unearthing Human Predecessors’ 1.5M-Year-Old Fossil Tracks in Kenya

In an extraordinary find for the field of fossil research, experts have unearthed 1.5 million-year-old fossil tracks belonging to two distinct lineages of early human predecessors near Kenya’s Lake Turkana.

This site has yielded traces of Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei, which were both prevalent during the Pleistocene era.

The evidence from this discovery leaves no doubt that two separate types of hominins were not just inhabiting the same area but were also treading the same ground, potentially mere hours apart,

asserts Craig Feibel, a scholar from Rutgers University whose study is highlighted in Science Magazine. Sophisticated stratigraphic studies and three-dimensional scans have been utilized to both date the tracks and delve into the environment in which these creatures lived.

Unearthing these ancient footprints gives us a concrete window into an era where different hominin species may have shared territories, possibly resulting in either collaborative or competitive interactions.

Unlike bone fossils, these impressions provide a rare glance into the day-to-day movement and social behaviors of these early human relatives.

Kevin Hatala of Chatham University, the primary author of this research, expressed his fascination with these fossilized footprints, as they animate our prehistoric kin.

Leveraging advanced 3D technology, the research team has carried out an extensive analysis of these telltale markings.

The discovery emerged in 2021 when team leader Louise Leakey and her crew, after a season of heavy rains, noticed prehistoric relics emerging at the surface.

The endeavor was a synergistic effort between the global scientific community and local Kenyan experts who played a pivotal role in the excavation.

While both Homo erectus and Paranthropus boisei shared the same epoch, their fates diverged; Homo erectus survived for an additional million years beyond Paranthropus boisei, which headed towards an earlier extinction.

The specifics behind the disappearance of Paranthropus boisei remain shrouded in mystery, but these findings certainly pave the way for deeper insights into the myriad hominin species and their lifestyles in the early stages of the Pleistocene.

In Feibel’s words, this marks the first instance such cohabitation has been confirmed, marking a monumental advancement in our comprehension of the evolutionary journey of humans.

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