The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 18(7) - Gambling, groupthink, and emotional security blankets

Generally speaking, people tend to follow others’ behavior to avoid conflict (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). In addition to helping us avoid conflict, social conformity may help us deal with negative emotions when things go awry (Berns et al., 2011). Is it true for gambling losses? This week’s WAGER reviews an experiment that examined whether social conformity acts as an emotional buffer in response to bad outcomes from gambling (Yu & Sun, 2013). Methods The researchers paired 21 participants (10 male, mean age = 20.23 years) with two other people in a group gambling task. Unbeknownst to the subjects, these two... Read more →

STASH, Vol. 9(7) - Can you hear me now? How MDMA might compound hearing loss suffered in loud environments

The arrival of summer often delivers waves of music festivals. Attendees at festivals and other events featuring electronic dance music typically experience long periods of loud music. In addition, these events often are common settings for the use of the psychoactive drug “Ecstasy” (3,4-methylenedoioxy-N-methamphetamine; MDMA; Weir, 2000). Although research suggests that frequent exposure to loud music can impair hearing (Williams, Beach, & Gilliver, 2010), some have suggested that MDMA might also play a role in hearing loss due to how it modulates certain neurotransmitters that might be neuroprotective against noise exposure (Lendvai et al., 2011). This week’s STASH reviews an... Read more →

ASHES, Vol. 9(6) – Smoking in the Digital Age: Awareness of e-cigarettes in four countries

Electronic cigarettes (i.e., e-cigarettes) are devices in which solution containing nicotine is atomized by a heating coil and then inhaled. These e-cigarettes, mentioned in ASHES, Vol. 9(4), are a relatively new addition to the nicotine product landscape. Since entering the market less than ten years ago, they have faced increased scrutiny from policymakers (e.g., DeLancey, 2010), including outright bans in Canada (Health Canada, 2009) and Australia (Australian Government Therapeutic Goods Administration, 2013) due to questionable health and safety evidence. This week’s ASHES reviews a study that measured the awareness, attitudes and usage of e-cigarettes in four industrialized nations (Adkison et... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials - Can Massachusetts evaluate the impact of its gambling expansion?

Throughout the world, governments have permitted and even encouraged the expansion of gambling as a method to improve the economic status of a jurisdiction. Recently, Massachusetts – already purveyor of the country’s most successful lottery – passed legislation that permits statewide gambling expansion ("Bill H03697," 2011). Despite the promise of an improved economic situation, gambling does not come without risk. For example, in addition to the financial losses typically associated with gambling, gambling also comes with the potential to produce a variety of health and social problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, gastro-intestinal, sleep, jeopardized relationships: Petry, 2000; Petry, 2005; Pietrzak, Molina,... Read more →

The DRAM, Vol. 9(6) - State Pride? A look at the possible relationship between same-sex marriage policy and mental health

Later this month the US Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings on two high-profile cases related to same-sex marriage. Earlier this spring three states—Delaware, Minnesota, and Rhode Island—legalized same-sex marriage, bringing the total to twelve, while in the past decade 31 states have adopted constitutional amendments banning legal recognition of same-sex unions. In light of these various legal actions, this week’s DRAM reviews a study that investigated the relationship between living in states that banned same-sex marriage and the mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations, including the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (Hatzenbuehler, McLaughlin, Keyes, & Hasin,... Read more →