Alcohol May be a Primary Trigger of Heart Arrhythmia – Not Caffeine or Lack of Sleep
Razi Berry New research from UC San Francisco that tested possible triggers of a common heart condition, including caffeine, sleep deprivation and sleeping on the left side, found that only alcohol use was consistently associated with more episodes of the heart arrhythmia. The authors conclude that people might be able to reduce their risk of […]
Strategies to Help Alcoholics
Razi Berry A recent qualitative study has identified six strategies that recovering alcoholics use to negotiate social situations and remain sober, depending on how they feel about stigmas associated with drinking and alcoholism. “There is a stigma in the United States associated with not drinking socially,” says Lynsey Romo, corresponding author of the study and […]
Small Amounts of Alcohol Increases Risk of A Fib
Razi Berry A single glass of wine can quickly — significantly — raise the drinker’s risk for atrial fibrillation, according to new research by UC San Francisco. The study provides the first evidence that alcohol consumption substantially increases the chance of the heart rhythm condition occurring within a few hours. The findings might run counter […]
Happy Nostalgia Amongst Teens Linked to Less Substance Use/Abuse
Razi Berry Teenagers with happy childhood memories are likely to drink less, take fewer drugs and enjoy learning, according to research published in the peer-reviewed journal Addiction Research & Theory. The findings, based on data from nearly 2,000 US high school students, show a link between how pupils feel about the past, present and future […]
The Three Most Impactful Ages of Alcohol Use on Brain Health
Razi Berry The evidence for the harmful effects of alcohol on brain health is compelling, but now experts have pin-pointed three key time periods in life when the effects of alcohol are likely to be at their greatest. Writing in The BMJ today, researchers in Australia and the UK say evidence suggests three periods of […]
Alcoholics Anonymous May be Most Effective Treatment for Those Wishing to Stop Alcohol Use
Razi Berry Alcoholics Anonymous, the worldwide fellowship of sobriety seekers, is the most effective path to abstinence, according to a comprehensive analysis conducted by a Stanford School of Medicine researcher and his collaborators. Alcoholics Anonymous may be most effective path to abstinence After evaluating 35 studies — involving the work of 145 scientists and the […]
Ketamine May Help Curb Drinking Habits in Alcoholics
Razi Berry A one-off dose of ketamine could help heavy drinkers reduce their alcohol intake, finds a new University College London experimental study. Could a shot of ketamine curb drinking in alcoholics? Giving a shot of ketamine to heavy drinkers after reactivating their drinking-related memories led to a rapid decrease in urges to drink and […]
Adolescent Cannabis Use and Long-term Effects on Brain
Razi Berry About one in five Canadian adolescents uses cannabis (19% of Canadians aged 15-19), and its recent legalization across the country warrants investigation into the consequence of this use on the developing brain. Recent cannabis legalization in Canada warrants investigation into the consequence of use on the developing brain Adolescence is associated with the […]
Dietary Supplement for Your Hangover
Razi Berry A product called Survivor has just been released in Europe, it is designed to improve the liver’s response to alcohol and mitigate the negative effects it has on the body. Both a blessing and a curse This could be a blessing and a curse. No one wants to have a hangover in the […]
Researchers Categorize 5 Types of Problem Drinking
Razi Berry An incredibly interesting research study has categorized alcohol abuse into 5 distinct categories. The study, led by researchers at Penn State University, points out that these categories may be more common at different stages of life. The categories are meant to serve physicians and others to better understand and screen for alcoholism/abuse in […]