Psychiatric News (11/28) reports, “A strong placebo response contributes significantly to the perception of pain reduction observed in clinical trials of cannabis-based therapies, according to” the findings of a 20-study, 1,459-adult patient systematic review and meta-analysis published online Nov. 28 in JAMA Network Open. Additionally, the research “suggests that media coverage of cannabis trials may promote high expectations of pain relief in clinical trial participants, thus increasing the placebo effect.”

Related Links:

— “Media Coverage, Placebo Response Linked to Pain Relief Seen in Cannabinoid Trials, Psychiatric News, November 28, 2022

USA Today (11/28, Ryu) reports, “Schizophrenia is a lifelong, psychotic disorder that affects fewer than 1% of the U.S. population, but is one of the most stigmatized mental illnesses,” affecting “how people think, feel and act.” While “people have also associated it with mass violence or shootings,” mental health clinicians “warn the relationship between schizophrenia and violence is often oversimplified and rarely ever causal.” Even though “it’s true that some may exhibit aggression or unpredictability when their symptoms go untreated or when combined with substance use, research has supported that most are not actually violent.” In fact, “serial killers are more likely to exhibit antisocial personality disorders (such as sociopathy or psychopathy), according to the American Psychiatric Association, and those with schizophrenia are at increased risk of becoming victims, rather than perpetrators, of violence.”

Related Links:

— “Do you really know what schizophrenia is? Most people don’t. “Jenna Ryu, USA Today, November 28, 2022

Healio (11/28) reports, “According to a recently released survey, 45% of Americans are worried about their mental health” during the upcoming holiday season. The “results of the poll, from BetterHelp, were made in conjunction with global research company Material, from an online survey of 1,009 American adults in November.” Findings from the poll “revealed that 72% of Americans expect something to negatively impact their mental wellbeing this winter, with the economy and managing family dynamics topping the list.”

Related Links:

— “Poll: 45% of Americans concerned about mental health during holidays “Shenaz Bagha, Healio, November 28, 2022

Neurology Advisor (11/23, Jacobs) reported, “Nonaffective psychotic disorders are an important, potentially modifiable risk factor for all-cause dementia, with individuals with these disorders warranting close monitoring for cognitive decline in later life,” investigators concluded in the findings of a 13-study systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Psychological Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Psychotic Disorders as a Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor for Dementia “Sheila Jacobs, Neurology Advisor, November 23, 2022

HealthDay (11/25, Murez) reported, “Researchers have found that nearly 3% of pregnancies in the United States were exposed to addictive opioid drugs,” according to results “from an analysis of data from 21,905 pregnant women in what’s dubbed the ECHO program (Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes).” The analysis “found opioid use in pregnancy was more prevalent in white individuals,” and use “was also more common in women with a history of depression and multiple substance use.” These resultswere published in the Journal of Women’s Health.

Related Links:

— “Nearly 3% of pregnancies in U.S. exposed to opioids “Cara Murez, HealthDay, November 25, 2022