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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The ginseng root has been traditionally used as a sedative.

Researchers at Kwandong University, in Gangreung, Republic of Korea studied the response to red ginseng extract by human volunteers. (more…)

There’s a common belief that children don’t get enough sleep.

Researchers at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide, described historical trends in recommended and actual sleep durations for children and adolescents. (more…)

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna reported disappointing results. (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 University of Chicago, in Illinois, determined whether sleep restriction attenuates the effect of dieting on excess adiposity. (more…)

About 50% of postmenopausal women experience sleep disturbances such as insomnia.

Researchers at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in Iran, evaluated the effects of valerian extract taken nightly. (more…)

It’s probably one of the most popular uses of CAM.

Researchers in Australia reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at the University of Washington, in Seattle, studied changes in sleep in older women with osteoarthritis. (more…)

Researchers at Kaohsiung Medical University, in Taiwan reviewed the evidence related to music’s effect on people with different mental illnesses. (more…)

Researchers at the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, in Seneca, South Carolina, studied the effects of the Yoga for Cancer Survivors (YOCAS) program on sleep, fatigue, and quality of life.

The results were reported during the annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. (more…)

During the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (abstract 0716) researchers in Illinois and California reported results from the first study of sleep-focused therapy on suicide risk. (more…)

During the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, in Perth, Western Australia reported less distress, and improvements in pain, fatigue, nausea, appetite, sleep, breathing and bowel function. (more…)

Researchers in California and Wisconsin tell us, “Sleep duration may be an important regulator of body weight and metabolism.”

So, they studied changes in metabolic hormones and their potential relationship to weight loss. (more…)

Chronic insomnia affects nearly 16% of adults and up to 25% of children.

If you’re in this group, researchers from the University of North Texas list non-drug treatment options that will prepare you for your doctor’s visit. (more…)

Sleep disturbance is common in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and melatonin is widely prescribed despite a lack of guidelines.

Researchers in France reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Researchers at Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, in Brazil, reviewed the evidence. (more…)

Major depressive disorder in elderly individuals is prevalent and debilitating.

Researchers from the Netherlands measured the response to bright light therapy (BLT) in elderly patients with major depressive disorder. (more…)

Fascia is the soft tissue component of connective tissue that supports and protects muscles. Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy used to treat pain and restricted motion.

Researchers at the University of Almería, in Spain, looked for improvement in pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, depression, and quality of life. (more…)

Chinese researchers at Beijing Hospital of Chinese Medicine, in China, reviewed the evidence and concluded that research “in line with evidence-based medicine is urgently needed.” (more…)