newatlas.com Open in urlscan Pro
2606:4700::6812:1f70  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

https://newatlas.com/search/#nt=navsearch

<form class="Page-header-search-form" action="https://newatlas.com/search/#nt=navsearch" novalidate="" autocomplete="off">
  <label><input placeholder="Search" type="text" class="Page-header-search-input" name="q" required="true"><span class="sr-only">Search Query</span></label>
  <button type="submit" class="Page-header-search-submit"><svg>
      <use xlink:href="#icon-magnify"></use>
    </svg><span class="sr-only">Submit Search</span></button>
</form>

POST /comment/submit

<form action="/comment/submit" method="post">
  <div class="CommentForm-inputs">
    <input type="hidden" name="target" value="0000018d-bff3-d52d-abdd-bff3cfe00001">
    <input type="hidden" name="parent" value="">
    <textarea name="body" required="" spellcheck="true" placeholder="Enter your comment"></textarea>
  </div>
  <button class="CommentForm-submit" type="submit"> Post </button>
</form>

Text Content

 * SUBSCRIBE AD-FREE
 * LOG IN

 * HOME
 * LIFESTYLE
   
    * Health & Wellbeing
    * Outdoors
    * Tiny Houses
    * Architecture
    * Around the Home
    * Good Thinking
    * Holiday Destinations
    * View all LIFESTYLE categories
   
    * Health & Wellbeing
    * Outdoors
    * Tiny Houses
    * Architecture
    * Around the Home
    * Good Thinking
    * Holiday Destinations
    * View all LIFESTYLE categories

 * SCIENCE
   
    * Energy
    * Medical
    * Space
    * Materials
    * Biology
    * Environment
    * Physics
    * View all SCIENCE categories
   
    * Energy
    * Medical
    * Space
    * Materials
    * Biology
    * Environment
    * Physics
    * View all SCIENCE categories

 * TECHNOLOGY
   
    * Photography
    * Military
    * Mobile Technology
    * Games
    * Drones
    * Home Entertainment
    * Deals
    * View all TECHNOLOGY categories
   
    * Photography
    * Military
    * Mobile Technology
    * Games
    * Drones
    * Home Entertainment
    * Deals
    * View all TECHNOLOGY categories

 * TRANSPORT
   
    * Automotive
    * Aircraft
    * Bicycles
    * Motorcycles
    * Marine
    * Urban Transport
    * View all TRANSPORT categories
   
    * Automotive
    * Aircraft
    * Bicycles
    * Motorcycles
    * Marine
    * Urban Transport
    * View all TRANSPORT categories

© 2024 New Atlas

Menu
 * HOME
 * LIFESTYLE
   
    * Health & Wellbeing
    * Outdoors
    * Tiny Houses
    * Architecture
    * Around the Home
    * Good Thinking
    * Holiday Destinations
    * View all LIFESTYLE categories
   
   
 * SCIENCE
   
    * Energy
    * Medical
    * Space
    * Materials
    * Biology
    * Environment
    * Physics
    * View all SCIENCE categories
   
   
 * TECHNOLOGY
   
    * Photography
    * Military
    * Mobile Technology
    * Games
    * Drones
    * Home Entertainment
    * Deals
    * View all TECHNOLOGY categories
   
   
 * TRANSPORT
   
    * Automotive
    * Aircraft
    * Bicycles
    * Motorcycles
    * Marine
    * Urban Transport
    * View all TRANSPORT categories
   
   

 * SUBSCRIBE AD-FREE
 * LOG IN

Show Search
Search Query Submit Search

Medical


CANNABIS MAY BE THE GATEWAY OUT OF DRUG ADDICTION

By Paul McClure
February 19, 2024
 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Flipboard
 * LinkedIn

/

Cannabis may be the gateway out of drug addiction


Using cannabis to manage stimulant cravings led to a reduction in use of crystal
meth
Depositphotos
View 1 Images
1/1
Using cannabis to manage stimulant cravings led to a reduction in use of crystal
meth
Depositphotos


New research has found that daily users of crystal methamphetamine who turned to
cannabis to manage their cravings used the stimulant drug less, especially
female users. The findings suggest a new harm-reduction strategy is needed for
people who use illicit drugs.



There are dissenting opinions among researchers about whether cannabis is a
‘gateway drug’ that leads people to use other, more dangerous drugs. New
research by the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, examined whether
using cannabis to manage cravings changed a person’s use of illicit stimulants.

More Stories
Energy
Massive geothermal potential found offshore, where the Earth splits
Science
Altermagnetism: New form of magnetism discovered in common materials

“Our findings are not conclusive but do add to the growing scientific evidence
that cannabis might be a beneficial tool for some people who want to better
control their unregulated stimulant use, particularly for people who use crystal
meth,” said Hudson Reddon, lead and corresponding author of the study.

The phrase ‘unregulated drugs’ includes medication that has been manufactured
legally but diverted from legitimate sales routes, as well as the illicit
manufacture and sale of drugs such as crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and
heroin.



The researchers recruited 297 adult users of unregulated drugs who’d reported
cannabis and stimulant use in the preceding six months. The median age of
participants was 44 years; 31.3% were female. Almost half (48.8%) self-reported
daily cannabis use, and 45.1% reported using cannabis to manage stimulant
cravings. Other common harm reduction or therapeutic motives for cannabis use
included managing craving for unregulated opioids (25.6%) and managing pain
(17.8%). The most popular method of cannabis administration was smoking (97.3%),
followed by consuming edibles (43.8%) and concentrates (21.9%).

Cannabis use to manage stimulant cravings and daily cannabis use was
significantly associated with reduced stimulant use during the period of
cannabis use. Cannabis used to manage cravings was significantly associated with
reduced use in those who used crystal meth daily but not associated with a
reduction in crack cocaine use. Females were significantly more likely to report
decreased crystal meth use during periods of cannabis use.

“This suggests a new direction for harm reduction strategies among people who
use drugs,” Reddon said.



However, the study’s findings warrant further investigation, especially because
of the absence of established pharmacotherapies for the treatment of stimulant
use disorders.

“While these findings are promising, they underscore the need for more
comprehensive studies to understand the full potential of cannabis in the
context of the overdose crisis,” said Zach Walsh, a study co-author.

In 2022, the reputable medical journal The Lancet reported that over the past
two decades, nearly 600,000 people have died from an opioid overdose in the US
and Canada. While it’s estimated that, by 2029, 1.2 million could die in these
two countries alone, the opioid crisis is being felt worldwide.

The study was published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

Source: UBC


WE RECOMMEND

 1. Substance use in LGBTQ+ populations
    Communications Medicine, 2022
 2. The association between temperature and alcohol- and substance-related
    disorder hospital visits in New York State
    Robbie M. Parks et al., Communications Medicine, 2023
 3. Clinical and cognitive improvement following full-spectrum, high-cannabidiol
    treatment for anxiety: open-label data from a two-stage, phase 2 clinical
    trial
    Mary Kathryn Dahlgren et al., Communications Medicine, 2022

 1. Boosting inhibition performance of natural polyphenols for the prevention of
    calcium oxalate kidney stones through synergistic cooperativity
    Si Li et al., Communications Materials, 2023
 2. Projected decrease in trail access in the Arctic
    J. D. Ford et al., Communications Earth & Environment, 2023
 3. Queer in Chem: Q&A with Professor Nancy Williams
    Communications Chemistry, 2023

Powered by
 * Targeting settings
 * Do not sell my personal information
 * Google Analytics settings


I consent to the use of Google Analytics and related cookies across the TrendMD
network (widget, website, blog). Learn more
Yes No



TAGS

MedicalCannabisDrugsUniversity of British Columbia
 * Facebook
 * Twitter
 * Flipboard
 * LinkedIn

1 comment
Paul McClure
Before realizing his writing passion, Paul worked as an intensive care nurse and
a criminal defense lawyer for many years. He has a keen interest in mental
health and addiction, chronic illness, and medical technology. After graduating
with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and creative writing in 2022, Paul joined
New Atlas in 2023. Before starting with New Atlas, Paul had written for several
online publications in the areas of health and well-being, parenting,
entertainment, and popular culture.


MOST VIEWED

 * Military
   
   
   NEW THERMAL SCOPE LETS SNIPERS SEE BULLETS IN FLIGHT WITHOUT TRACERS

 * Medical
   
   
   DEMENTIA RISK DOUBLED BY COMMON HERPES VIRUS, STUDY FINDS

 * Outdoors
   
   
   LOADED CAMPER-IN-A-BOX KIT MAKES COZY MINI-RV WITH BATH & PICNIC AREA

Load More


WE RECOMMEND


Powered by
 * Targeting settings
 * Do not sell my personal information
 * Google Analytics settings


I consent to the use of Google Analytics and related cookies across the TrendMD
network (widget, website, blog). Learn more
Yes No




by Taboolaby Taboola
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Promoted LinksPromoted Links
You May Like
CompareCredit

These Credit Cards are Worth Their Weight in Gold: Best Credit Cards for
2024CompareCredit


Undo

Нealthy Guru

Cardiologists: Overweight? Do This Before BedНealthy Guru
Learn More


Undo
Suggest-me | search ads

Three Rochester Banks Paying Record High Interest - See the ListSuggest-me |
search ads


Undo
SaneSolution

Doctor: Throat Phlegm? Your Body Is Trying To Tell You SomethingSaneSolution
Learn More


Undo


1 comment
Sign in to post a comment.
Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be
published.
jerryd February 19, 2024 08:45 AM
Some people are just naturally addicts and for them usually switching to far
less harmful drug pot is, is the smart choice.
Saving comment...

Post


GET OUR NEWSLETTER


Over 220,000 people receive our email newsletter. Get your daily dose of
extraordinary ideas!
Register
 * HOME
    * SUBSCRIBE
    * FEATURES
    * REVIEWS
    * ABOUT
    * ADVERTISE
    * TERMS
    * PRIVACY
    * CONTACT
    * RSS
    * FAQ

 * LIFESTYLE
    * 20th Anniversary
    * Architecture
    * Around the Home
    * Children
    * Collectibles
    * Good Thinking
    * Health & Wellbeing
    * Holiday Destinations
    * Outdoors
    * Pets
    * Remarkable People
    * Tiny Houses

 * SCIENCE
    * Biology
    * Electronics
    * Energy
    * Environment
    * Materials
    * Medical
    * Physics
    * Quantum Computing
    * Space

 * TECHNOLOGY
    * 3D Printing
    * Computers
    * Deals
    * Photography
    * Drones
    * Games
    * Home Entertainment
    * Laptops
    * Military
    * Mobile Technology
    * Music
    * Robotics
    * Smartwatches
    * Telecommunications
    * Wearable Electronics
    * Virtual Reality

 * TRANSPORT
    * Aircraft
    * Automotive
    * Bicycles
    * Marine
    * Motorcycles
    * Urban Transport

Follow Us
 * twitter
 * instagram
 * pinterest
 * flipboard
 * facebook
 * linkedin

© 2024 New Atlas