HealthDay (3/16, Thompson) reports a study found that “loneliness and social isolation are both linked to the cognitive decline a woman feels as she begins to transition into menopause,” and that “women experiencing both loneliness and social isolation are at greatest risk for brain decline.” According to the study, “moderate to severe loneliness combined with social isolation increased a woman’s risk of cognitive decline by eightfold, while mild loneliness nearly tripled her risk in combination with social isolation.” Researchers speculated that “loneliness might affect brain health by promoting inflammation related to anxiety or depression,” and that “social isolation might reduce the amount of brain stimulation a person receives.” The study was published in Menopause.

Related Links:

— “Loneliness, Social Isolation Impact Brain Health Among Women Entering Menopause,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, March 16, 2026

MedPage Today (3/16, Robertson) reports a study found that “extended-release buprenorphine was an effective treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD) and safe for their babies.” Researchers observed that “women randomized to weekly, injectable extended-release buprenorphine had higher rates of abstinence from illicit opioids than those in the sublingual buprenorphine group (82.5% vs 72.6%).” Furthermore, “those taking extended-release buprenorphine also had fewer serious adverse events during pregnancy (8.7% vs 26.8%) and during the postpartum period (6% vs 18.6%). While rates of nonserious AEs did not differ between groups, more were considered related to extended-release buprenorphine during pregnancy (26.1% vs 7%),” although they “were mostly mild.” The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Related Links:

— MedPage Today (requires login and subscription)

CNN (3/16, LaMotte) reports, “Using medical or recreational marijuana to ease symptoms of numerous mental health conditions doesn’t work, according to two new analyses of existing gold-standard research.” One study, published in Lancet Psychiatry, “analyzed results from 54 randomized controlled trials published between 1980 and 2025.” Meanwhile, “a recent JAMA paper…also explored the effectiveness of natural and synthetic forms of CBD and THC on mental health conditions.”

Related Links:

— “Scientists say marijuana doesn’t ease anxiety or other mental health conditions,”Sandee LaMotte, CNN, March 16, 2026

HealthDay (3/13, Solomon) reported a systemic review and meta-analysis of 153 studies found that “digital media use is consistently associated with risks to child and adolescent mental health and development globally.” The researchers observed that “social media use was associated with higher depression, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, self-injurious thoughts, problematic internet use, and substance use. There were also negative associations with lower academic achievement, poorer self-perception, and less positive development.” Additionally, “there was an association between video gaming and higher aggression and externalizing behaviors and higher attention/executive functioning. Digital device use and messaging/communication media were associated with depression.” The review was published in JAMA Pediatrics.

Related Links:

— “Digital Media Tied to Risks for Child, Adolescent Mental Health and Development,”Lori Solomon, HealthDay, March 13, 2026

The AP (3/12, Huamani, Ortutay) reports that closing statements began Thursday in the trial on whether Meta and YouTube “should be liable for harms caused to children using their platforms.” The case, “along with two others, has been selected as a bellwether trial, meaning its outcome could impact how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies are likely to play out.”

Related Links:

— “Lawyers in landmark social media addiction trial make final appeals to the jury,”Kaitlyn Huamani And Barbara Ortutay, AP, March 12, 2026