Studies

A new study suggests that using marijuana before sleep has minimal if any effect on a range of performance measures the next day. These include simulated driving, cognitive and psychomotor function tasks, subjective effects and mood. The study involved 20 adults with physician-diagnosed insomnia who rarely used marijuana. “The results of this study indicate that a single oral dose of 10 mg THC (in combination with 200 mg CBD) does not notably impair ‘next day’ cognitive function or driving performance relative to placebo in adults with insomnia who infrequently use marijuana,” said the researchers at Macquarie University in Sydney, the University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Gold Coast-based Griffith University and Johns Hopkins University. While cannabis is often used as a sleep aid and there are concerns about next-day impairment, particularly on safety sensitive tasks such as driving. However, the results showed no differences in 27 out of 28 cognitive and psychomotor function and simulated driving tests compared to the placebo. “Almost all of the cognitive tests conducted, involving attention, working memory, speed of information processing, and other domains, showed no ‘next day’ effects of THC/CBD,” the report says. Some cannabis users report feeling residual effects the next day, but a recent study found no evidence that marijuana causes a hangover. “Unlike long-acting sedatives and alcohol, cannabis was not associated with a ‘hangover’ effect, although individuals reported some lingering effects such as sleepiness and changes in mood,” a Washington State University study found.

Exposure to higher levels of light can help people feel more awake and increase cognitive performance, probably by influencing the activity of parts of a brain region called the hypothalamus, according to new research.

Researchers have made significant strides towards restoring brain function after someone has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. The advancements came after Chinese scientists revived the brains of pigs that had gone without blood circulation for nearly an hour, and the secret to their success came from an unexpected source – the liver. Sudden cardia...

People with stronger autistic traits exhibit distinct and highly effective exploration patterns, according to a new study.

Imagine a busy restaurant: dishes clattering, music playing, people talking loudly over one another. It's a wonder that anyone in that kind of environment can focus enough to have a conversation. A new study by researchers at Brown University's Carney Institute for Brain Science provides some of the most detailed insights yet into the brain mechanisms that help people pay attention amid such distraction, as well as what's happening when they...

Scientists found that the molecule KIBRA helps stabilize memory by binding to PKMζ, an enzyme that strengthens brain connections, allowing memories to last for years despite the constant turnover of proteins in the brain.

Scientists at NTNU's Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience in Norway have discovered a pattern of activity in the brain that serves as a template for building sequential experiences.

Food sold in shrink wrap, on cardboard trays or in paper containers might contain any of nearly 200 chemicals linked to breast cancer, a new study warns.

A recent study finds that increased screen time is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and attention issues among 9- and 10-year-olds.

The NOVA special’s claim is, “The split brain phenomenon suggests that there can be two separated minds, if you will, inside of a skull.”

One thing that is likely to get some pushback is the study’s claim that modern-style plate tectonics on Earth did not commence until the Neoproterozoic.

A new study reveals that certain muscle proteins activated during exercise can increase the desire to stay active, shedding light on a muscle-brain signaling pathway.

Adults with autism prefer to follow rather than lead in social imitation tasks, accompanied by distinct brain synchrony patterns, indicating differences in how their brains connect with others during social interactions.

The study challenges what we know about packaged water for ages and our mindsets about tap water.

This explains SO much about your 40s.

A new study has found a slight genetic link between higher intelligence and reduced psychopathology, with anxiety and negative affect being more heritable in children with below-average intelligence.

More than 70 genes have been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental condition in which differences in the brain lead to a host of altered behaviors, including issues with language, ...

Human evolution, the process by which human beings developed on Earth from now-extinct primates. The only extant members of the human tribe, Hominini, belong to the species Homo sapiens. The exact nature of the evolutionary relationships between modern humans and their ancestors remains the subject of debate.

Tucked away in the mountainous highlands of Chiapas in southern Mexico, around 150 coffee farmers on the Edelmann family farm work with their hands for hours on end. The shade of tree canopies is the only barrier between their bodies and the summer sun.

"This study highlights the importance of considering both outdoor and indoor sources of NO2 exposure." Study finds simple household swap could make a big difference: 'A simple and effective way to reduce [harmful] exposure' first appeared on The Cool Down.