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Toxoplasma Gondii Seropositivity And Substance Use In Us Adults, Bruce L. Brown, Andrew N. Berrett, Shawn D. Gale, Lance D. Erickson, Evan L. Thacker, Dawson W. Hedges

Faculty Publications

The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) infects humans resulting in acute toxoplasmosis, an infection that in immunocompetent people is typically mild but results in persistent latent toxoplasmosis. In that T. gondii appears to affect dopamine synthesis and because addicting drugs affect midbrain dopamine transmission, latent toxoplasmosis could influence substance use. Using both the third and continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we used logistic regression to test for associations between T. gondii seropositivity and subject self-report of having ever used tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine. …

Baked And Buzzed: Investigating The Influence Of Co-Use Of Cannabis And Alcohol On White Matter Integrity In Emerging Adults, Natasha E. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Growing evidence suggests alcohol and cannabis use independently alter neural structure and functioning, particularly during sensitive developmental time periods such as adolescence and emerging adulthood. However, there has been minimal investigation into the effects co-occurring use of these two substances, despite preliminary evidence of unique acute and psychopharmacological changes due to using alcohol and cannabis together.

Method: Data drawn from the IDEAA Consortium was utilized to assess white matter integrity as measured by FreeSurfer’s TRACULA in emerging adults (n=192; 16-27 years old). Timeline Follow-Back was used to calculate past month cannabis use, alcohol use, co-use days, binge alcohol episode, …

Toxoplasma Gondii And Substance Use - Project Data, Andrew Berrett

ScholarsArchive Data

The data utilized in this project originated from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data sets. Specifically, we utilized data from the NHANES III and 2009-2014 continuous NHANES data sets. Data files pertinent to our project were downloaded from the NHANES website (NHANES.com) and merged into two master data files, one for the NHANES III and one for the continuous NHANES. Following the merges, some variables were modified or recoded for the purposes of the project. Therefore, the data files associated with this entry include both the original NHANES data as well …

Examining The Role Of Impulsivity And Expectancies In Predicting Marijuana Use : An Application Of The Acquired Preparedness Model, Rachel Luba

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Impulsivity and substance use covary. Smith’s acquired preparedness model

Psychological Reactance Theory And Marijuana Craving, Melissa Nicole Slavin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Psychological Reactance Theory (Brehm, 1966) asserts that people experience reactance (a retaliatory motivational state characterized by negative affect and resistant attitudes) when they perceive their autonomy is threatened. Reactance may lead to “boomerang effects”, where the individual is drawn toward the restricted object or behavior. Anti-marijuana (MJ) messages designed to discourage use might heighten reactance and inadvertently lead to greater craving for MJ and stronger intentions to use. The current online experiment determined that a message discouraging use of MJ evoked greater reactance in student and community member participants than a harm-reduction message. Additionally, reactance was associated with participants’ indirect …

Factors That Influence The Perceived Risk Of Driving Under The Influence Of Small Amounts Of Marijuana And Alcohol (Dui-Sama), Gabriel Andrew Frietze

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The national trend toward the legalization of recreational marijuana use will likely increase the number of opportunities for young adults to legally drive under the combined influence of small amounts of marijuana and alcohol (DUI-SAMA). Research suggests that driving performance is moderately impaired when small amounts of marijuana and alcohol are consumed independently; however, driving performance is dramatically impaired when both substances are consumed in combination. The present study investigated the perceived risk of DUI-SAMA under two levels of stress (no stress, stress) and three levels of urgency (non-urgent, semi-urgent, urgent). One-hundred and sixty-five marijuana users (Mage = 20.3) were …