While the push for legalized marijuana picks up steam, research continues to show that excessive use can have harmful effects.  A study from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona concludes that chronic marijuana use can cause inflammation of the brain, which can damage coordination and learning capabilities.  When investigating why the drug had these effects, the researchers learned that cannabis activates immune cells in the brain that play a key role in how the cerebellum carries out functions.

In this study, mice were given THC, the activate ingredient in marijuana, for six days.  The mice were tasked with performing several coordination activities, and their ability to learn was evaluated through a test associating a sound with a puff of air.  The mice given THC had impairments in both tasks.  Upon further investigation, the researchers found that THC activated microglial cells – immune cells in the cerebellum – which caused inflammation in that part of the brain.  This inflammation resulted in learning and coordination problems.  When the scientists blocked the activation of the microglial cells, the effects of the THC went away.

Other studies have shown that smoking weed regularly may be linked to lower IQ, an increased risk of schizophrenia, and other potential brain-processing issues.

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Sourced from: Live Science, Chronic Cannabis Use May Cause Brain Inflammation

Migraine are one step closer to getting some relief.  Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the U.K. say they have identified the main biological causes of the condition.

Scientists have long struggled to identify the root causes of migraine attacks, which has limited progress in treatment. By identifying the genetic regions responsible for migraines, however, the research team offers hope to the nearly 14 percent of adults who suffer from the debilitating disease.

This study managed to identify 12 different genetic regions that play a role in the risk of migraine.  Of those 12 regions, eight control brain circuits and two maintain healthy brain tissue.  A person’s genetic susceptibility may have to do with the way in which these pathways are regulated.  Gathering evidence from 29 different genomic studies comprising a total of 10,000 migraine and control samples, the researchers found that the genetic regions associated with migraine are interconnected, and disruption of the cells inside the brain could lead to migraine attacks.

The researchers determined that three gene variations are linked to an increased risk for migraine headaches than the general population, and that each variation increases risk by 10 to 15 percent.

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Sourced from: Medical News Today, Biological Causes Of Migraine Discovered

Viewing the glass half full really could be beneficial to your health.  According to new research from Harvard University, there is a link between psychological and physiological health, especially with regard to a favorable view of the future.

The study drew a correlation between optimism and antioxidant concentration in the body.  Antioxidants neutralize molecules called free radicals, which can damage cells and cause disease if unleashed in the body.  Antioxidants are often associated with anti-cancer properties, especially when consumed in blueberries, among other fruits and vegetables.

The Harvard researchers sought to study a person’s optimism “score” through a series of positively worded statements (as opposed to negatively worded statements).  Antioxidant levels were then measured with a blood sample.  The researchers also asked participants about fruit and vegetable consumption, vitamin use, exercise habits and smoking status.  The results indicate that optimism is associated with a specific type of antioxidant called carotenoids, which are present in many fruits, grains, oils and vegetables.  People who were optimistic had three to seven percent higher levels of carotenoids in their blood.

One question did remain: which came first, good health or optimism?  Were people more likely to be healthy because they were optimistic, or were they optimistic because they were in better health?

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Sourced from: Live Science, Is optimism key to good health?