Latest news with #CannabisUseDisorder
Time Business News
4 days ago
- Health
- Time Business News
Cannabis Use Disorder: Recognizing the Signs of Marijuana Addiction
Cannabis has undergone a dramatic transformation in the public eye—from stigmatized contraband to a widely accepted substance, often marketed as benign or even medicinal. While its therapeutic benefits for certain conditions are legitimate, a less discussed truth persists: cannabis can be addictive. Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) is a recognized mental health diagnosis with real consequences for those affected. Awareness of its signs is the first step toward meaningful intervention. Understanding the Link Between Stimulants and Attention Disorders Some individuals with ADHD may experience temporary relief from symptoms when using stimulants, but it's important to understand the distinction between medical treatments and harmful substances. Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the brain's dopamine system, similar to prescription medications like Adderall,does meth help with adhd which are used to treat ADHD. However, while prescription stimulants are carefully dosed and monitored, meth is illegal and dangerous. Although people may believe meth helps with ADHD, it often leads to severe side effects, addiction, and long-term cognitive damage, making it an unsafe and ineffective treatment option. Defining Cannabis Use Disorder Cannabis Use Disorder is not mere overindulgence. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is characterized by a cluster of behavioral, physical, and psychological symptoms reflecting impaired control over use. Individuals with CUD may persist in their consumption despite significant personal, social, or professional disruption. The line between recreational use and disorder is often subtle, obscured by normalization and denial. Dependence develops when the user experiences both tolerance and withdrawal. Tolerance demands higher doses to achieve the desired effect, while withdrawal manifests when cessation leads to discomfort or dysfunction. These signs, when coupled with continued use, form the clinical foundation of addiction. Behavioral and Psychological Signs of Cannabis Addiction The behavioral patterns of CUD frequently begin with increased frequency. What starts as occasional use may escalate to daily or near-daily consumption. Users may express intentions to reduce their intake, only to relapse repeatedly. This cycle of attempted restraint and resumed use signals a loss of control. Psychologically, the individual may exhibit blunted ambition—a phenomenon colloquially dubbed 'amotivational syndrome.' Tasks once pursued with vigor now seem burdensome. Apathy replaces curiosity. Emotionally, cannabis dependency often breeds irritability, anxiety, or even mild paranoia. Thoughts may feel foggy, attention drifts, and short-term memory deteriorates. These symptoms do not exist in isolation; they interact, compounding dysfunction. Physical Indicators of Chronic Cannabis Use Though often viewed as non-threatening, chronic marijuana use can leave a physiological imprint. Inhalation of cannabis—particularly when combusted—can inflame the lungs, leading to chronic bronchitis-like symptoms: persistent coughing, wheezing, and phlegm production. Sleep architecture is also affected. While cannabis may initially induce drowsiness, prolonged use disrupts REM cycles, resulting in non-restorative sleep or even insomnia. Appetite patterns may also become dysregulated. Some individuals experience excessive hunger (the classic 'munchies'), while others notice erratic food intake. Withdrawal from cannabis, though often milder than that of opioids or alcohol, is nonetheless significant. Users may report tremors, restlessness, irritability, intense cravings, or gastrointestinal distress within 24–72 hours of cessation. Impact on Daily Functioning and Relationships As dependence deepens, the effects on daily life become undeniable. Academic performance may slip as concentration wanes. Job responsibilities are neglected. Timeliness and reliability erode. In some cases, individuals abandon pursuits they once valued, such as hobbies or creative endeavors. Social relationships often bear the brunt. Users may withdraw from loved ones, preferring solitude or only associating with fellow users. Deception around use becomes common—hiding cannabis, minimizing quantity, or becoming defensive when questioned. Responsibilities—whether domestic, financial, or familial—are routinely postponed or disregarded altogether. Risk Factors for Developing Cannabis Use Disorder Not everyone who uses cannabis will develop CUD. Certain factors, however, raise the risk. A family history of addiction suggests a genetic vulnerability. Co-occurring mental health conditions, particularly anxiety, depression, and attention disorders, increase susceptibility. The age of initial use plays a pivotal role. Adolescents and young adults are especially at risk, as their brains are still undergoing critical developmental changes. Additionally, today's cannabis strains, often cultivated to yield high THC concentrations, possess greater addictive potential than earlier iterations. Social environments that normalize or glamorize heavy use can reinforce unhealthy patterns. When to Seek Help and Available Treatment Options One of the most insidious aspects of CUD is the denial that often accompanies it. Users may dismiss their behavior as harmless or deny the extent of their dependency. However, once the patterns begin to interfere with quality of life, it is time to take action. Therapeutic interventions are available and effective. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to address underlying thought patterns that drive compulsive use. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) helps increase internal drive toward recovery. In some cases, contingency management—offering rewards for sobriety—has shown promise. Long-term recovery may also involve group therapy, mindfulness practices, and lifestyle restructuring. The journey is rarely linear. Relapse can occur. But with proper support, lasting recovery is achievable. Understanding the Differences Between Two Dangerous Drugs While meth and crack are both powerful and highly addictive stimulants, they are not the same. Meth, short for methamphetamine, is a synthetic drug often found in pill or powder form, while crack is a smokable form of cocaine made by processing cocaine hydrochloride with baking soda or ammonia. Each affects the brain differently—meth releases large amounts of dopamine, causing long-lasting highs,are meth and crack the same whereas crack produces intense but short-lived euphoria. Although both substances are harmful, meth tends to cause more severe long-term neurological damage. Understanding the differences between meth and crack is essential for recognizing their unique risks. Conclusion Cannabis Use Disorder is a legitimate, clinically recognized condition that merits serious attention. It is not confined to stereotypes or extremes. It can affect high-functioning professionals, students, and creatives alike. Recognizing the signs early allows for timely intervention and more successful outcomes. With the right treatment and support, individuals struggling with CUD can regain clarity, motivation, and control over their lives. Compassion—not judgment—is the foundation of healing. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Global News
27-05-2025
- Global News
Psychiatric report finds Thomas Hamp was ‘acutely and severely psychotic' during stabbing
The Crown called Thomas Hamp, the man facing second-degree murder in the death of his longtime girlfriend Emily Sanche in February 2022, back to the stand this week following a mental health report on whether Hamp would be considered not criminally responsible for killing Sanche. On Monday, the court heard criminal psychiatrist Dr. Shabehram Lohrasbe's report that found Hamp not criminally responsible under S. 16 of the Criminal Code. On Tuesday, the Crown called Hamp to return to the stand for cross-examination. In the report obtained by Global News, Dr. Lohrasbe found Hamp was 'acutely and severely psychotic during the early morning hours of 20 February 2022.' His findings also included that Hamp 'has a history of OCD and of Cannabis Use Disorder, each of which, independently, has been associated with the subsequent diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.' And during 2021 through until 2022 'Hamp suffered from psychotic symptoms that are within the realm of the Schizophrenia spectrum of disorders.' Story continues below advertisement Lohrasbe believed Psychosis was the dominant factor in the violence and that 'his capacity to 'know' that his actions were wrong, in the real world, was severely impaired.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Lohrasbe said this was a unique case as the mental state of Hamp was deeply documented by Sanche and her cousin Cathrine Sanche leading up to the incident. Lohrasbe interviewed Hamp three times and used court documents and those from an assessment at the Saskatchewan hospital forensic services in North Battleford for the report. The Crown requested Hamp be brought back to the stand to speak on the report and Lohrasbe's testimony. However, the defence requested Hamp only get questioned on the report. The court granted the request for Hamp to take the stand, noting the Crown was unable to previously complete cross-examination due to the report not being available until a later date. But the court did agree the questioning should only be on the report and not the testimony. Hamp was questioned on his cannabis use before the incident and when the thought of killing Sanche came into his head. Hamp told the court he stopped using cannabis days before. He also said he couldn't remember when the thought of killing Sanche came into his head, but remembers the thought being there. Story continues below advertisement Closing arguments are scheduled for Wednesday. Hamp is charged with fatally stabbing Sanche in the early morning of Feb. 20, 2022. The court heard through a statement of agreed facts that Hamp grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Sance in the upper left chest area. Hamp then went to the bedroom and injured himself with a knife. When police arrived Hamp told them a stranger had broken into their apartment, stabbing them both. He later recanted his statement.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
PLEOPHARMA, INC. Reports New Patent Issuance
New Patent Issued on April 8, 2025 Patent Protection to March 2041 PHOENIXVILLE, Pa., April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PleoPharma, Inc. ("PleoPharma" or the "Company"), a privately held company focused on Cannabis-related health issues, announced today that the U.S. Patent Office has issued a new patent focusing on the treatment of sleep disturbances, including sleep quality and duration, associated with cannabis withdrawal syndrome ("CWS") in patients with cannabis use disorder ("CUD"). "We are pleased to have received our third issued patent. Improving sleep quality, depth and duration for patients suffering from CWS is an important aspect of PP-01 and a tremendous benefit in quality of life, especially for CUD patients who are suffering from CWS," said PleoPharma's CEO, Ginger Constantine, MD. Recently issued U.S. Patent No. 12,268,659, entitled "Methods and Compositions for Treating Cannabis Use Disorder and Mitigating Cannabinoid Withdrawal," contains method of use claims for mitigating CWS, and in particular improving sleep quality, depth and duration, and further claiming specific dose ranges and detailed dosing schedules corresponding to what the Company believes will be the dosing for PP-01. The Company notes that additional patent applications are pending in the US and globally in which it is pursuing further IP development. About cannabis withdrawal/cannabis use disorderThe US Government reported that in 2023 ( ~19.2 million Americans had Cannabis Use Disorder with ~ 1.64 million people receiving treatment (~500k inpatient, ~1.1 million outpatient). The number of individuals who received treatment for cannabis related health problems has grown by an average of 28% annually from 2018 to 2023. People with Cannabis Use Disorder commonly experience significant withdrawal symptoms, known as Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome, that can make it extremely difficult to reduce or discontinue cannabis. There are currently no FDA approved medications for the treatment of cannabis withdrawal syndrome or cannabis use disorder. PleoPharma recognizes that many people do use cannabis responsibly, but as with alcohol, some may develop a dependence. Our mission is to provide a treatment option for those who want help reducing or discontinuing cannabis. About PleoPharma, Inc. is a clinical stage development company in the neuropsych and addiction space with a lead asset, PP-01, that is being developed as the first FDA approved treatment of Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome in people with Cannabis Use Disorder. The PleoPharma team includes a world class management team and board of directors who have produced multiple high value exits, >50 worldwide product approvals, and 100+ INDs. For more information on PleoPharma, please visit or email Dawn Halkuff, head of Investor Relations at dhalkuff@ This release includes 'forward-looking statements' regarding the operations of PleoPharma, Inc., actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein are forward-looking statements that reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management of PleoPharma. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. PleoPharma does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PleoPharma, Inc Sign in to access your portfolio
