Author: Hilary Macht

DNA methylation refers to a biological process where chemical groups attach to DNA molecules, effectively acting as switches to turn genes on or off without altering the underlying genetic code. As marijuana becomes increasingly mainstream, with 48 million Americans reporting use in 2019, understanding its deep biological impact is critical. New Research: Marijuana and Epigenetic Changes A recent study from Northwestern Medicine, published in Molecular Psychiatry, offers fresh insights into how cannabis might affect our biology at a molecular level. Led by Dr. Lifang Hou, the research team analyzed blood samples from over 900 adults participating in a long-term heart health…

A comprehensive new review of medical cannabis research has delivered a surprising conclusion: for many conditions where it is commonly promoted, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support its effectiveness. The study, published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), analyzed 124 studies selected from over 2,500 papers published between 2010 and late 2025. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) reaffirmed that medicinal cannabis appears effective for specific, FDA-approved uses. These include reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, stimulating appetite in HIV patients, and treating certain severe childhood seizure disorders. However, the authors argue these are…

A new experimental study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry has provided intriguing evidence suggesting that smoking cannabis may acutely reduce alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers. The research, led by Jane Metrik and her colleagues, found that participants who smoked cannabis with a higher concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consumed significantly less alcohol immediately afterward compared to those who smoked a placebo. The study aimed to clarify the often-conflicting relationship between cannabis use and alcohol cravings. While some previous research suggested cannabis might hinder alcohol dependence treatment, other studies have hinted at a potential reduction in drinking. This new experiment sought to…

President Donald Trump is reportedly poised to issue a landmark executive order as early as Monday that would reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug under federal law. Multiple sources have indicated that the order aims to move cannabis to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act. This shift would be a massive boon for the industry, primarily by unlocking significant tax breaks for cannabis businesses that are currently hindered by Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition to rescheduling, sources suggest the president may also deliver a major win for the CBD sector by allowing Medicare insurance…

A recent government-funded study has revealed that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound from the cannabis plant, shows "promising" results in reducing brain inflammation and improving cognitive decline associated with aging. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Lethbridge and McGill University, suggests that long-term CBD treatment could positively impact memory processes and spatial learning functions linked to key parts of the brain. The study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, investigated the effects of administering CBD to aging mice over a seven-month period. Researchers subjected the mice to…

A new study has found that drivers who consumed Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) compensated for their impairment by driving more cautiously, specifically by slowing their speed and increasing their following distance from other vehicles. The research, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, offers new insights as states grapple with determining legal THC limits for drivers. The study assessed the simulated driving performance of 43 medical cannabis patients before and after they consumed their prescribed THC oils. Researchers looked at hazard perception and risk-taking behaviors, including speeding propensity, following distance, and gap acceptance at intersections. The key findings suggest that while participants drove more slowly…

A single 800 mg dose of cannabidiol (CBD) significantly reduced alcohol cravings and dampened activity in a key brain region associated with addiction in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a recent study. The findings, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, provide new insights into the neurobiological basis for CBD's potential as a treatment option for AUD. CBD is a non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant that does not produce a "high" and has gained interest for its potential therapeutic properties, including reducing anxiety and seizures. This new study, led by author Sina Zimmermann, aimed to test whether…

In the first placebo-controlled study of its kind, researchers have found that vaporized marijuana can provide significant and sustained relief from acute migraine headaches. The study, presented at the American Headache Society’s annual meeting, revealed that participants who used either a THC-dominant cannabis product or a combination THC-CBD product were significantly more likely to report pain relief after two hours compared to those who received a placebo. The findings offer compelling new evidence for the potential of cannabis as a viable treatment for this often debilitating neurological condition. This research comes as conversations around alternative treatments for severe headaches are…

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has spurred researchers worldwide to search for novel therapies and preventive measures, especially for those who may not have access to vaccines or are experiencing breakthrough infections. In this context, a recent study led by the University of Chicago, in collaboration with the University of Louisville and other institutions, has shed light on a promising candidate: cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant. Understanding the Study The research team, in their study published in Science Advances, discovered that CBD can inhibit the infection of human cells by SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19,…

A new study from researchers at the University of California San Diego's Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center has found that e-cigarette use does not increase smoking cessation among smokers in the United States. In fact, the study suggests that vaping, especially on a daily basis, may actually make it harder for smokers to quit. The findings, published on March 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), challenge the common belief that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking. "Most smokers think vaping will help you quit smoking," said study…