MentalHealthDaily

Stop-Signal Task Links Cannabis Use to Decision Efficiency, Not Inhibition

by GLOOM

MHD featured image for stop-signal task modeling, evidence accumulation, and cigarette-plus-cannabis use.

A 2026 IMAGEN stop-signal task analysis found that evidence accumulation, response caution, and go-failure probability predicted cigarette-plus-cannabis use at ages 19 and 23, while inhibition parameters showed no apparent substance-use association.1 The calibrated reading is direct: conventional “poor inhibition” language may be too crude when the cigarette-plus-cannabis signal sits in general decision-making efficiency instead. Research …

Latin American Drug Checking Services Face Legal and Funding Barriers

by GLOOM

A 2026 survey of 38 drug checking services found that Latin American programs faced a different operating reality than US programs: funding was a major barrier more often (80% vs. 54%), drug checking equipment was legally permitted less often (44% vs. 75%), and law enforcement confiscation of checking supplies was reported more often (38% vs. …

Alcohol Use Disclosure in Tanzania: 10.6% Told Providers

by GLOOM

A 2026 cross-sectional study in Moshi, Tanzania found that only 26 of 246 injury patients who drank alcohol, or 10.6%, had ever told a healthcare provider about their alcohol use.1 The calibration result was contrary to the prediction: measured alcohol stigma did not track disclosure, while alcohol-related consequences did. Research Highlights Disclosure was rare: among …

Teen Substance Use in South Africa: 30-Study Meta-Analysis

by GLOOM

A 2026 PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis in Drug and Alcohol Review consolidated 30 publications covering 202 prevalence estimates from 120,041 South African adolescents: pooled lifetime prevalence was 35.09% for alcohol use, 25.47% for tobacco use, and 10.47% for cannabis use.1 Research Highlights 30 publications, 202 estimates: pooled data covered 120,041 South African adolescents. Alcohol …

CBD Has Strong Evidence for Epilepsy — Weak for Other Medical Conditions

by GLOOM

Stylized illustration showing the gap between CBD marketing claims and actual clinical trial evidence.

CBD has solid evidence for rare pediatric epilepsies, preliminary signal in anxiety and psychosis, and insufficient evidence for most conditions it’s marketed for.

Trauma Reminders Increase Drug Cravings — Negative Affect Is the Link

by GLOOM

Stylized illustration of how trauma reminders trigger substance craving via the intermediate of negative affect.

Trauma reminders trigger substance craving — but the path runs through negative emotions, not directly. A 2026 meta-analysis quantifies the link.