substance abuse

Autism Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 3, 2021·4 min read

Autistic Individuals More Likely to Use Recreational Drugs to Self-Medicate

While those with autism are less likely to use substances than those who are not on the autism spectrum, those who do are more likely to self-medicate for their mental health symptoms. Those with ASD who self-medicate report they do so to improve focus and attention and, in some cases, to mask ASD symptoms.

This shows a man sitting alone in a street at night time

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 16, 2020·2 min read

Lifetime suicide risk factors identified

Analyzing previous studies, researchers have identified the effects of individual and environmental risk factors for suicide over a person's lifespan. The risk factors, researchers report, change throughout a person's lifetime.

This is a drawing of a person in front of a TV set

Featured Neuroscience Neuroscience Videos Psychology

·December 29, 2019·4 min read

Watching pornography rewires the brain to a more juvenile state

From eroding the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain critical for impulse control, to damaging the dopamine reward system, researchers evaluate the impact of viewing pornography on the brain.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience Pain Psychology

·January 14, 2019·3 min read

Pain and Substance Abuse Interact in a Vicious Cycle

Being in pain and taking illicit substances can lead to a vicious cycle that ultimately worsens and maintains both addiction and pain.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 3, 2018·5 min read

Teen Cannabis Use Not Without Risk to Cognitive Development

A new study reports the lasting effects of teen cannabis use can be observed on important cognitive function and appears to have a more pronounced effect than alcohol use on neurodevelopment.

Featured Psychology

·December 11, 2017·7 min read

Industrial Revolution Left a Damaging Psychological Imprint on Today’s Populations

People who are historically more reliant on the coal industry tend to have more negative personality traits, University of Cambridge researchers report. The researchers believe this could be a lasting effect of the Industrial Revolution.