Findings suggest age of onset matters: increased DMN and thalamic connectivity in adults may be due to developmental differences, not alcohol alone. Including control groups without alcohol exposure is crucial for disentangling these effects. Further research needed!

Adolescent-onset heavy drinking alters default mode network connectivity, highlighting age and exposure as key factors in alcohol-related brain changes.

The study shows that adolescence is a period when alcohol use may alter brain connectivity. High adolescent alcohol intake increased Default Mode Network (DMN) connectivity, potentially affecting self-referential processing and withdrawal susceptibility.

These findings highlight that leveraging psychological strategies using accessible online interventions can be effective in reducing cannabis use. More research is needed, but this offers a promising step toward self-guided support for users aiming to cut down.

Participants who set goals using the SMART (specific, measurable, appealing, realistic, timebound) approach in combination with mental contrasting with implementation intentions (envisioning the successful achievement of a goal) were most likely to reach their reduction goals.

#ThisWeekInNPP

This paper from @jcousijn.bsky.social & team found that heavier cannabis use and earlier onset correlated with ⬆️ resting-state functional 🧠 connectivity, while CUD severity was linked to ⬆️ anterior salience network connectivity in ♂️ only

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The award ceremony was followed by drinks at the "Eregalerij" ("Gallery of Honour") where the team gathered to congratulate Janna while being surrounded by paintings from Dutch master painters.

As part of the award ceremony, a video portret has been made where Janna further explains the importance of not only assessing risk factors, but also looking at resilience when it comes to social factors and substance use: vimeo.com/1078357165

Janna's research on "social plasticity" — the brain’s ability to adapt to its social environment — explains why many young people who use cannabis can quit without treatment once they find themselves in a drug-free environment.

doi.org/10.1016/S235...

High doses of CBD may acutely ease anxiety, while CBD+THC combinations can reduce withdrawal in substance use disorders and improve sleep. However, THC may have adverse effects and worsen certain conditions like psychosis in high doses. Caution is essential! #MentalHealth #CannabisResearch