Proponents of the use of medical marijuana like to start speeches and articles by quickly stating that cannabinoids are of proven value in treating many diseases.

Poppycock. This site has stated repeatedly: not true, not true, not true.

Now the evidence is in, and we were right. JAMA confirms that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabinoids is tenuous at best. And risk of side effects with cannabinoids to treat anything is high.

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If you expect aromatherapy to cure a major illness, you will probably be disappointed, according to AromaWeb — a source of practical information on this complementary treatment.

The available scientific evidence (such as it is) supports this statement. The Natural Standard website (which charges a membership fee) conducted literature reviews on the various applications of aromatherapy and concluded that even for the best documented conditions (eg, anxiety and agitation), the data are conflicting and based on small, poorly designed trials.

However, to conclude from this that aromatherapy is to be avoided would be excessive. Its current use is not intended to replace standard medical care but complement it. If using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, improves your sense of psychological and physical well being, by all means, indulge yourself.

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Belief in God is common and tied to mental health and illness in the general population.

Researchers at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, in Belmont, Massachusetts, studied its relevance to psychiatric patients. (more…)

Only a third of patients with depression respond fully to antidepressant drugs, and little evidence exists regarding the best next-step treatment for patients with resistant symptoms.

Researchers in the CoBalT study (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) at the University of Bristol in England examined cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an adjunct to usual care (including pharmacotherapy) for primary care patients with treatment-resistant depression compared with usual care alone. (more…)

Low vitamin D levels are associated with depressive symptoms, especially in people with a history of depression.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst, evaluated the impact of daily supplementation with vitamin D combined with elemental calcium on depression. (more…)

Generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common anxiety condition. Cannabidiol is one major non-psychotomimetic compound of the cannabis sativa plant.

Researchers at the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, studied its effects on SAD during a simulation public speaking test. (more…)

Energy drinks are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults. The manufacturers claim they are safe.

Researchers at the University of Miami, in Florida reviewed the evidence and came to a different conclusion. (more…)

It’s reported that the personal importance of religion or spirituality is associated with a lower risk for major depression.

Researchers at Columbia University, in New York City, examined this association in adults. (more…)

Treating chronic pain is challenging. Often, the reason for the pain isn’t clear and may require combinations of treatments before finding relief, if then.

Researchers at the Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherches, in Paris, France assessed the usefulness of their music intervention to manage patients with chronic pain. (more…)

Different theories attempt to explain the relaxation response to lavender aromatherapy.

This study suggests there’s another reason. (more…)

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, in Austria, studied the anxiolytic effect of Silexan, an oral lavender oil capsule preparation, compared to placebo. (more…)

Researchers at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas, investigated the association between vitamin D blood levels and depression. (more…)

Researchers in South Carolina conducted this review. (more…)

… and other things you should know.

The authors tell us, “Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. (more…)

Researchers at the Tuscany Regional Homeopathic Reference Centre, in Italy, studied the long-term outcome of children suffering from atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) after an about 8 years. (more…)

Really? (more…)

Several health organizations have come together to review the evidence.

Here’s what we know. (more…)

Evidence for the association between cannabis and depression is inconsistent.

Researchers at Radboud University Nijmegen, in The Netherlands, evaluated the potential influence of a person’s genetics on the cannabis/depression risk. (more…)

Researchers at Catholic University Leuven, in Belgium, reviewed the evidence for physical therapy in people with schizophrenia.

First, the details.

10 studies were included in the review.

• 6 studies addressed the use of aerobic and strength exercises.
• In 2 of these studies, yoga techniques also were investigated.
• 4 studies addressed the use of progressive muscle relaxation.

And, the results.

• There’s evidence that aerobic and strength exercises and yoga reduce psychiatric symptoms, anxiety and psychological distress, and improve health-related quality of life.
• Aerobic exercise improves short-term memory.
• Progressive muscle relaxation reduces anxiety and psychological distress.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “Physical therapy offers added value in the multidisciplinary care of people with schizophrenia.”

The differences between studies in terms of design and the small number of patients studies, say the researchers, make it necessary to conduct additional studies to confirm these findings.

11/6/11 18:48 JR

Researchers at National Taiwan University, in Taipei, conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of yoga in patients with cancer. (more…)