addictions

A study published in Scientific Reports concludes that adults who use Instagram very frequently overestimate their ‘addictive’ use, which complicates self-control and increases feelings of guilt. According to the research, excessive use, in most cases, is not an addiction but a habit. The study was conducted on more than 1,000 Americans and suggests that the fact that many think they have an ‘addiction’ may be related to the media's frequent use of this term when talking about social media. 

A longitudinal study published in the journal International Gambling Studies states that boys and girls who play videogames with gambling-like elements, such as tool boxes, are more likely to gamble with real money in the future. The lead researcher warns that, to protect minors, regulation should go ‘beyond loot boxes, including a variety of gambling-like elements, such as social casino games, prize wheels, and gambling videos.’

According to the Global Burden of Disease study, and despite deep inequalities between countries, global life expectancy in 2023 was more than 20 years higher than in 1950. However, deaths among young people increased in some regions such as North America, Latin America—due mainly to suicide and drug use—and sub-Saharan Africa—mainly due to infectious diseases and injuries. Researchers also estimate that almost half of all deaths and disabilities could be prevented by modifying some of the main risk factors. The results are published in The Lancet and will be presented at the World Health Summit, being held in Berlin, Germany, from October 12 to 14.

A man's exposure to second-hand smoke during childhood may increase his children's risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, according to research published in the journal Thorax. Although this is an observational study from which no firm conclusions about causality can be drawn, the authors believe that their findings could be due, at least in part, to a type of epigenetic inheritance and ‘suggest that smoking may adversely affect lung function not only in smokers, but also in their children and grandchildren.’

A team from the United Kingdom has conducted an umbrella review, or review of reviews, on the risks of vaping among young people. After analysing 56 reviews including 384 studies, their conclusions are that vaping is subsequently associated with increased consumption of tobacco, marijuana and alcohol. It is also associated with an increased risk of asthma, coughing, injuries and mental health problems. The results are published in the journal Tobacco Control.

Coinciding with the World Conference on Tobacco Control - to be held June 23-25 in Dublin, Ireland - the World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing its report on the global tobacco epidemic, responsible for more than seven million deaths worldwide each year. The WHO warns that "action is needed to maintain and accelerate progress in tobacco control, as increasing industry interference calls into question tobacco control policies and efforts.

An experimental drug called mavoglurant can reduce the consumption of both cocaine and alcohol in people with cocaine use disorder, according to the results of a phase 2 clinical trial with 68 participants. Although trials with more participants are needed, the results suggest that this drug should be studied further. The findings, in which Spanish teams have participated, are published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

According to a Lancet Public Health commission on commercial gambling, stricter regulations are needed on a global scale to reduce its impact on health and wellbeing worldwide. The authors argue that the harms caused by gambling are a threat to public health, exacerbated by the rapid expansion and digital transformation of the industry. These harms include physical and mental health problems, increased risk of suicide, gender-based violence and financial problems.

Studies associating the consumption of low amounts of alcohol with health benefits are not of good scientific quality, says a meta-analysis pooling the findings of 107 previous papers. For example, studies may use a reference group of older adults who have given up or limited alcohol for health reasons. Compared to those who continue to drink, the latter appear to be in better health, notes the article, published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

A clinical trial in Finland has compared the effectiveness of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and varenicline tablets for smoking cessation. The study, which included 458 participants, found no difference between the two strategies at six months. However, after one year, only varenicline was found to be clearly more effective than placebo. The results are published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.