Latest news with #UniversityofSydney
Sydney Morning Herald
12 hours ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Could cannabis and psychedelics help treat eating disorders?
An international survey into non-prescribed drug use has made a surprising link between cannabis, psychedelics and treating eating disorders. The Australian-led survey of 7600 self-selected respondents across 83 countries has revealed that cannabis and some psychedelic drugs, including 'magic mushrooms' and LSD, were the most effective among self-medicated, non-prescription drugs for alleviating symptoms associated with illnesses including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Published in JAMA Network Open this week, the research has been led by PhD student Sarah-Catherine Rodan at the University of Sydney's Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. Professor Iain McGregor, academic director of the Lambert Initiative, is senior author on the paper. About 1 million Australians live with an eating disorder, and almost one-third of adolescents in this country engage in disordered eating in any given year, according to National Eating Disorders Collaboration. They are notoriously difficult to treat and, according to the Butterfly Foundation, have the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders. Rodan says the study found that beyond cannabis's reputation for stimulating appetite, it offered a variety of potential benefits to users suffering from illnesses such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Loading 'Cannabis has mood-elevating, anxiety-reducing gastroprotective and anti-nausea properties,' she says. 'Patients with avoidant/restrictive feeding intake disorder and anorexia nervosa report symptoms of anxiety and related abdominal pain and nausea, which can reduce appetite and exacerbate disordered eating. 'Cannabis also has anxiolytic properties and may reduce food-related anxiety and guilt.' The survey also investigated ways participants were ingesting drugs, which affected the positive or negative outcomes.
The Age
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Age
Could cannabis and psychedelics help treat eating disorders?
An international survey into non-prescribed drug use has made a surprising link between cannabis, psychedelics and treating eating disorders. The Australian-led survey of 7600 self-selected respondents across 83 countries has revealed that cannabis and some psychedelic drugs, including 'magic mushrooms' and LSD, were the most effective among self-medicated, non-prescription drugs for alleviating symptoms associated with illnesses including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating. Published in JAMA Network Open this week, the research has been led by PhD student Sarah-Catherine Rodan at the University of Sydney's Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. Professor Iain McGregor, academic director of the Lambert Initiative, is senior author on the paper. About 1 million Australians live with an eating disorder, and almost one-third of adolescents in this country engage in disordered eating in any given year, according to National Eating Disorders Collaboration. They are notoriously difficult to treat and, according to the Butterfly Foundation, have the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric disorders. Rodan says the study found that beyond cannabis's reputation for stimulating appetite, it offered a variety of potential benefits to users suffering from illnesses such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Loading 'Cannabis has mood-elevating, anxiety-reducing gastroprotective and anti-nausea properties,' she says. 'Patients with avoidant/restrictive feeding intake disorder and anorexia nervosa report symptoms of anxiety and related abdominal pain and nausea, which can reduce appetite and exacerbate disordered eating. 'Cannabis also has anxiolytic properties and may reduce food-related anxiety and guilt.' The survey also investigated ways participants were ingesting drugs, which affected the positive or negative outcomes.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Vaping attitudes changing, but addiction lingers for some
Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow. Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow. Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow. Ben, not his real name, did not think that trying a vape as a teenager would lead to years of fighting a nicotine addiction. "I wish I'd never had nicotine, it's like a door and once you open it, you can't close it. It's always in the back of your mind," Ben, now aged 20, said. The university student said he was never warned about the health impacts of e-cigarettes, which Cancer Council ACT says include delayed brain development, seizures, poisoning, insomnia and mood changes. University of Sydney research, funded by Cancer Council, said while vaping increased rapidly among young people from 2019, that trend may be slowing or even reversing. The federal government banned the import of disposable vapes in 2024. It is only legal to buy low-dose nicotine e-cigarettes from a pharmacy. Cancer Council ACT said, "data from the ACT General Health Survey tells us that around two-thirds of young people have tried vaping, but over one in three are either not taking it up, or have already quit". While vapes are still sold illegally by many Canberra shopfronts, including tobacconists, bottle shops, convenience stores, petrol stations and news agencies, their reputation among young people may be changing. "Vapes have a bad rep," Ben said. "There's a big stereotype on people who use vapes that you're weird or that you're childish." Generation Vape study lead author Associate Professor Becky Freeman said most young Australians have never used nicotine products. "We're increasingly hearing young people saying that they're embarrassed that they vape, they don't want to be vaping, and the realities of addiction are beginning to rear their heads," Dr Freeman said. Health authorities are concerned that e-cigarettes are a gateway to tobacco. Ben said people switch from vapes to cigarettes because they have to smoke them less frequently. A July 2025 Generation Vape report said fewer Australian teens, aged 14 to 17, were smoking. Only 6 per cent had tried a cigarette. Now Ben and his mates have ditched vapes in favour of nicotine pouches, also referred to as Zyns (a popular brand) or upperdeckies. They are similar to snus, but do not contain tobacco and come in flavours like cherry, mint, citrus, coffee and cola. "It was a lot better for me because there was no smoke involved, it was just nicotine," Ben said. "It's the cheaper and safest way." Cancer Council said 950 per cent more pouches were seized at the Australian border in 2023 than in the previous two years. "Nicotine pouches usually contain very high levels of nicotine. Alongside damage to the mouth, they are mostly linked to the symptoms of excessive nicotine use," Cancer Council ACT said. "For young people, nicotine changes the way the brain matures, and can affect learning, memory, and attention long term, as well as making young people more susceptible to other drugs of addiction later in life." Dr Freeman claimed the pouches were another marketing ploy by Big Tobacco to addict young people. "There is no evidence that pouches are an effective way to quit smoking or vaping. We do have lots of other evidence-based ways to help people quit," she said. Ben said he has about eight 20mg pouches a day, which is eight times stronger than the strongest vape bought legally and without a prescription. Only 2 per cent of 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed for the latest Generation Vape report said they had tried a pouch. Ben, who graduated in 2023, wishes the private high school he attended in the ACT had taught him that vaping, not just smoking cigarettes, was unhealthy. "They didn't advocate against it," he said. "They just said, 'If you do it and we catch you, you're f---ed, don't do it at school'. There was no message about health." Cancer Council ACT said their research suggested smoking and vaping education was a bigger focus for Canberra schools in 2025 than in 2023. The Association of Independent Schools of the ACT said education around alcohol and other drugs is a key part of the Australian curriculum, which all schools follow.
The Age
2 days ago
- General
- The Age
Giraffe and unborn calf die at Sydney Zoo
'Faced with no viable options to save her, the very difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise Nzuri to prevent her from further suffering.' Staff members at Sydney Zoo, especially those involved in Nzuri's daily care, have been deeply affected by her death. Gigi died suddenly in 2020, only weeks after arriving at Sydney Zoo. Credit: Sydney Zoo 'This is an incredibly heartbreaking outcome for all involved,' said exotic animal care manager Tim Bennett. 'Our animal care team did everything possible to try and save both the calf and the mother, Nzuri. Decisions like this are never made lightly. The animal's welfare is always our primary concern.' The Sydney Zoo website lists three giraffes, including Nzuri, as part of its giraffe encounter experience, where guests can feed the gentle giants for $59.99 a person. It's not the first time a giraffe has died at Sydney Zoo. In 2020, three-year-old giraffe Gigi suddenly died just weeks after she was transferred from Australia Zoo in Queensland to western Sydney. A post-mortem examination completed by the University of Sydney revealed she died of acute enteritis, a gut issue common in young giraffes. The death came as a shock to staff, given Gigi had shown no signs of illness and was reported to be settling in well to her new home, the zoo said at the time. In another incident a year later, a 10-year-old chimpanzee named Mogli drowned in a moat surrounding its enclosure on the morning of April 9, 2021. The zoo had to be closed as staff were seen removing Mogli's body from the water. Mogli drowned in an incident at Sydney Zoo in 2021. Credit: Sydney Zoo An investigation ruled the death was misadventure, with CCTV revealing Mogli breached a safety barrier and entered the water. A statement from the zoo said the barrier had been operational for more than two years without incident, but that in response to Mogli's death, further 'naturalistic materials' had been added to the habitat to prevent the chimps from entering the water. In May this year, two bull sharks died in Sydney Zoo's aquarium. The zoo said that 'trauma consistent with accidental impact' was the cause of death. Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Giraffe and unborn calf die at Sydney Zoo
'Faced with no viable options to save her, the very difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise Nzuri to prevent her from further suffering.' Staff members at Sydney Zoo, especially those involved in Nzuri's daily care, have been deeply affected by her death. Gigi died suddenly in 2020, only weeks after arriving at Sydney Zoo. Credit: Sydney Zoo 'This is an incredibly heartbreaking outcome for all involved,' said exotic animal care manager Tim Bennett. 'Our animal care team did everything possible to try and save both the calf and the mother, Nzuri. Decisions like this are never made lightly. The animal's welfare is always our primary concern.' The Sydney Zoo website lists three giraffes, including Nzuri, as part of its giraffe encounter experience, where guests can feed the gentle giants for $59.99 a person. It's not the first time a giraffe has died at Sydney Zoo. In 2020, three-year-old giraffe Gigi suddenly died just weeks after she was transferred from Australia Zoo in Queensland to western Sydney. A post-mortem examination completed by the University of Sydney revealed she died of acute enteritis, a gut issue common in young giraffes. The death came as a shock to staff, given Gigi had shown no signs of illness and was reported to be settling in well to her new home, the zoo said at the time. In another incident a year later, a 10-year-old chimpanzee named Mogli drowned in a moat surrounding its enclosure on the morning of April 9, 2021. The zoo had to be closed as staff were seen removing Mogli's body from the water. Mogli drowned in an incident at Sydney Zoo in 2021. Credit: Sydney Zoo An investigation ruled the death was misadventure, with CCTV revealing Mogli breached a safety barrier and entered the water. A statement from the zoo said the barrier had been operational for more than two years without incident, but that in response to Mogli's death, further 'naturalistic materials' had been added to the habitat to prevent the chimps from entering the water. In May this year, two bull sharks died in Sydney Zoo's aquarium. The zoo said that 'trauma consistent with accidental impact' was the cause of death. Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
