The discussion about the legalisation of cannabis from the age of 18 raises concerns among experts. Psychopharmacologist Prof Dr Rainer Spanagel in particular is concerned about the possible effects on young people. He warns of the risks of highly concentrated THC products and emphasises that the brains of 18-year-olds are not yet fully developed. Spanagel argues in favour of a higher age limit and criticises politicians for ignoring scientific findings. He fears that legalisation could send a fatal signal to young people and that young people could continue to resort to the black market.

In an interview, Professor Maximilian Pilhatsch summarises addiction medicine concerns and findings regarding cannabis legalisation. Pilhatsch warns of the effects of excessive cannabis use on IQ, as studies show that IQ can drop significantly due to prolonged use at a young age. He also emphasises that cannabis interferes with brain metabolism and can cause negative consequences such as drug-induced psychosis, depression and anxiety disorders. The legalisation of cannabis is viewed critically by Pilhatsch, as it changes society's overall attitude towards the drug and increases its acceptance and availability, which can lead to it being trivialised. He explains why he sees the legislator as being close to co-dependency. Pilhatsch warns of an increase in cannabis users and emphasises the dangers, especially for young people, whose brain maturation processes can be impaired by cannabis. Translated with DeepL.com (free version) Link to the interview.

In a recent podcast, Prof Dr Maximilian Pilhatsch, Head Physician at the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Elblandkliniken in Radebeul and Head of the Outpatient Addiction Clinic at the University Hospital in Dresden, expresses grave concerns about the approval of cannabis. In particular, he sees the increase in availability and broadening of acceptance as trivialising cannabis and thus also indirectly endangering the protection of children and young people. Here is the link to the podcast, published by O-Ton Allgemeinmedizin, which serves to publicise the topic in networks: Link to the podcast. Various social media channels such as  LinkedIn, X, Facebook und Instagram have already been used to publicise the podcast episode. Various other sources of information are recommended for more in-depth information on the topic, including a podcast from the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) and the Cannabis Act (CanG).

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry explored the effects of stress on alcohol craving and identified the insula as a key region in this response. Conducted by the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, the study examined 98 individuals with alcohol problems using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The results showed that psychosocial stress triggered increased activation of the left insula, particularly when viewing alcohol-related images. This activation correlated with heightened alcohol craving and increased alcohol consumption. The study suggests that the insula plays a crucial role in stress-induced drinking and could pave the way for a precision medicine approach to treating stress-induced alcohol consumption.

The study by Hoffmann et al. investigates the impact of the menstrual cycle and the progesterone-to-estradiol ratio on alcohol consumption in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Data from 74 females and 278 males were collected and analyzed using ecological momentary assessments. The results suggest that hormone levels play a role in alcohol consumption patterns, especially in women.

Dresden University Hospital offers support for crystal-dependent mothers and fathers. Around 20 crystal-dependent mothers are treated every year, and now fathers are also being integrated into the therapy programme. The "Mum, think of me" project supports young women in their new role, particularly after giving birth, and aims to prevent parents and child from having to be separated. Professor Maximilian Pilhatsch is head of the outpatient addiction clinic at Dresden University Hospital and is part of the interdisciplinary offer that gives young families in difficult situations a perspective. The paediatric and gynaecological clinic is located in the immediate vicinity of the outpatient addiction clinic in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. This means that women who use drugs and their children are cared for by the doctors at the University Hospital during and after pregnancy. The aim of the treatment is abstinence, and in a phase lasting around six months with joint sessions in the mothers' group, the women are also supported by the social services. The programme is now being expanded, partly with the help of prize money. Maximilian Pilhatsch and his team have been honoured with the Otsuka Team Award Psychiatry worth 10,000 euros for their project. Read the full text here: Crystal in der Schwangerschaft: Wie Dresdner Mediziner abhängigen Familien helfen | Sächsische.de (saechsische.de)

The entire TRR265 consortium is coming from March 11th to 13th. together in Weimar. More details to follow.