Excessive drinking costs $249 billion. Can one dose of ketamine curb alcoholism?

An experimental study involving 90 heavy drinkers found promising results.

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  • A single dose of ketamine has been shown reduce cravings for alcohol in heavy drinkers.
  • Ninety drinkers took part in the experimental study; the ketamine groups fared best.
  • This research on addiction follows in the wake of a ketamine derivative being used for treatment-resistant depression.
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Marijuana addiction has risen in places where it's legal

While legalization has benefits, a new study suggests it may have one big drawback.

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  • A new study finds that rates of marijuana use and addiction have gone up in states that have recently legalized the drug.
  • The problem was most severe for those over age of 26, with cases of addiction rising by a third.
  • The findings complicate the debate around legalization.
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The world's first psilocybin research center is opening in Jamaica

FieldTrip is advancing the realm of clinical psychedelic testing.

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  • FieldTrip Ventures is opening the world's first psilocybin research center at the University of the West Indies.
  • More research on magic mushrooms follows mounting evidence of the efficacy of ketamine and MDMA.
  • Ronan Levy of FieldTrip believes psychedelics could help treat a wide range of mental health conditions.
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Opioid crisis: Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $572 million

What's next for the nation's opioid cases?

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  • Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay the state of Oklahoma $572 million for downplaying the dangers and overselling the benefits of opioids.
  • The state's lawyers argued that Johnson & Johnson had violated a public nuisance law, which concerns injuries to public health.
  • The first federal trial in the opioid crisis is scheduled for October. It's likely that the Oklahoma verdict doesn't help drug manufacturers and distributors.
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New research suggests MDMA could be used to treat alcoholism

Yet another study shows the potential efficacy of psychedelics in treating addiction.

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  • MDMA could help alcoholics break their addiction (and not relapse) suggests a new study in the UK.
  • Ketamine became the first FDA-sanctioned psychedelic for use in treating depression earlier this year.
  • The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) organization hopes to have legally prescribed MDMA on the shelves by 2021.
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