CBD-Based Products Show Promise for Pets With Pain, Seizures, and Skin Problems ↗
Systematic review of 22 studies finds CBD-based products improve pain, seizures, and skin conditions in dogs with no serious side effects, but cat research is minimal.
Research library — page 110
Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Cannabinoid Drug Prevented Memory Loss in a Rat Dementia Model ↗
Low-dose cannabinoid treatment prevented spatial memory loss in rats by indirectly boosting the cholinergic system through cannabinoid receptor activation in cortical regions.
Endocannabinoid System Critical for Migrating Brain Cells, Disruption Causes Catastrophic Damage ↗
Mouse embryo study discovers that both too much and too little endocannabinoid signaling causes catastrophic membrane ruptures in 40% of migrating brain cells during development.
CBD Boosts Anti-Inflammatory Lipid Production in Humans, THC Does Not ↗
Human clinical data shows CBD, but not THC, boosts anti-inflammatory lipid production through the 15-LOX pathway, providing molecular evidence for CBD's therapeutic potential.
Blocking Cannabis Receptor Reduced Weight and Improved Asthma in Obese Mice ↗
CB1 receptor blocker caused 27% weight loss in obese mice and improved airway function, identifying the endocannabinoid system as a link between obesity and asthma.
Women Use More Cannabis Before Their Period, Driven by Mood and Pain ↗
Daily diary study of 40 women finds cannabis use peaks premenstrually, with mood and pain/coping motives interacting differently across menstrual cycle phases.
Medical Cannabis Laws Linked to More Teen Use, Perceived Penalties Linked to Less ↗
National survey finds medical cannabis laws increase and perceived penalties decrease teen cannabis use, with legalization weakening the protective effect of social bonds.
CBD Protected Rat Brains From Liver Disease-Induced Damage ↗
CBD reduced brain inflammation, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment in rats with liver disease-induced brain dysfunction through multiple anti-inflammatory pathways.
CBD Improved Walking Speed in MS Patients but Did Not Reduce Spasticity ↗
Randomized trial finds CBD improves walking speed and reduces pain in MS patients but does not directly reduce spasticity, suggesting CBD may help through alternative mechanisms.
Full-Spectrum CBD Reduced Alcohol Cravings in Preliminary Trial ↗
Pilot RCT finds full-spectrum CBD with trace THC reduced alcohol craving in people with AUD, while CBD without THC did not, suggesting the trace THC component matters.
How CBD Talks to Your Immune System: A Comprehensive Map ↗
CBD modulates immune function through multiple mechanisms with potential for autoimmune diseases, though most evidence remains preclinical. Nanotechnology may improve delivery.
CBD Paste Reduced Arthritis Pain in Cats, but Many Refused to Eat It ↗
Controlled study finds CBD/CBDA paste effectively reduces arthritis pain in cats, but nearly half dropped out due to refusal to eat the paste, highlighting a formulation challenge.
Does Cannabis Affect Thinking in Older Adults? A Study of 540 People Says Mostly No ↗
Among 540 older adults across the dementia spectrum, moderate cannabis use was not associated with worse cognitive test performance—though problem use may differ.
Cannabis Use Linked to Suicide Attempts and Death in People With Schizophrenia ↗
Meta-analysis of 29 studies finds cannabis use in schizophrenia linked to 40% higher suicide attempt odds and 21% higher suicide death risk.
Cannabis Consistently Linked to Improved Female Orgasm Function ↗
Systematic review of 8,849 women finds consistent evidence that cannabis use before sex improves orgasm function, though quality evidence is limited.
Cannabis Pain Research May Be Measuring the Wrong Things, Experts Argue ↗
Experts argue cannabis pain trials measure the wrong things: patients value psychological coping, sleep, and opioid reduction more than direct pain relief.
40% of Cannabis-Using Chronic Pain Patients at High Risk for Cannabis Use Disorder ↗
Two-year study finds 40% of cannabis-using chronic pain patients at high CUD risk with worse mental health, but pain outcomes do not worsen compared to non-users.
Cannabis Concentrate Vaping Produces Substantial Toxic Byproducts ↗
Review finds cannabis concentrate vaping produces significant toxic byproducts and some products contain hazardous additives, as research lags far behind market growth.
Comprehensive Review of 89 Studies Concludes Cannabis Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy ↗
The most comprehensive review to date (89 studies) finds prenatal cannabis exposure harmful for fetal growth and development, concluding cannabis should be avoided during pregnancy.
Topical CBD Gel Reduced Pain During Sex for Women With Vestibulodynia ↗
A small RCT found that topical CBD plus myrcene gel significantly reduced pain during sex for women with vestibulodynia compared to placebo over 60 days.
Cannabis Affects the Brain Differently Depending on Your Age ↗
A narrative review of cannabis effects across the lifespan found that prenatal and adolescent exposure carries the highest neurological risk, while cannabis use among older adults is rising fastest with the least risk awareness.
Researchers Warn of a Growing Epidemic of Drug-Induced Psychosis ↗
A review warns that 30 years of rising methamphetamine and high-potency cannabis use have fueled a growing wave of drug-induced psychosis, with up to half of cases progressing to schizophrenia.
Canada's Legal Age for Cannabis May Be Protecting Youth From Hospitalizations ↗
A population-based Canadian study found cannabis-related hospitalizations dropped 34% among youth below the legal purchase age after legalization, while continuing to rise among adults above it.
People Hospitalized for Cannabis Use Disorder Had Nearly 3x the Death Risk Over 5 Years ↗
An Ontario study of 11.6 million people found that individuals hospitalized for cannabis use disorder were nearly 3 times more likely to die within 5 years, with especially high risks for suicide and trauma.
The Share of Schizophrenia Cases Linked to Cannabis Use Disorder Nearly Tripled After Legalization ↗
An Ontario study of 13.6 million people found the share of schizophrenia cases linked to cannabis use disorder nearly tripled from 3.7% to 10.3% during a period of cannabis policy liberalization, reaching 18.9% among young men.
Older Adults Hospitalized for Cannabis Use Faced Higher Dementia Risk ↗
An Ontario study of 6.1 million adults over 45 found that those with emergency visits for cannabis use had 1.72x higher dementia risk than the general population, though lower risk than those with alcohol-related visits.
Cannabis Use in Georgia Barely Changed After Legalization ↗
A nationally representative study found cannabis use among young adults in the country of Georgia barely changed four years after legalization, though the drug became easier to obtain and first use shifted to older ages.
Georgian Doctors Lack Training to Screen or Counsel Patients on Cannabis ↗
A mixed-method study found that only 36% of Georgian primary care physicians were familiar with cannabis laws, and 88% had never used diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorders, citing time constraints and stigma as key barriers.
Prenatal Cannabis Plus Tobacco Exposure Was Linked to Worse Behavior Problems in Children ↗
An ABCD Study analysis of nearly 10,000 children found that prenatal exposure to both cannabis and tobacco was linked to more externalizing behavior problems at ages 9-11 than exposure to either substance alone.
More Social Media Time Was Linked to Cannabis Experimentation in Early Teens ↗
An ABCD Study analysis of 7,691 adolescents found that more social media time at age 12 predicted cannabis experimentation by age 14, with beliefs about cannabis effects mediating about a third of the relationship.
Cyberbullied Teens Were Nearly 5x More Likely to Try Cannabis a Year Later ↗
An ABCD Study of nearly 10,000 adolescents found that cyberbullying victims were 4.65 times more likely to try cannabis within the next year, alongside increased risks for depression and suicidal behavior.
Social Media and Texting Were Linked to Early Teen Substance Use, But TV and Video Games Were Not ↗
An ABCD Study of 8,006 early teens found that social media, texting, and video chatting were linked to cannabis and other substance experimentation one year later, while TV, video games, and passive screen use were not.
What Does the Research Say About Cannabis, Aging, and Longevity? ↗
A systematic review of 18 studies found preclinical promise for cannabinoids in supporting healthy aging, but noted that human evidence remains too sparse to draw definitive conclusions.
Over 26,000 Cannabis Products Online Make Health Claims, Often Unverified ↗
An analysis of over 624,000 cannabis products on Leafly and Weedmaps found more than 26,000 listings making health benefit claims, with mood disorders, pain, and sleep being the most common.
Iranian Psychiatrists See Both Promise and Risk in Treating Cannabis Addiction Without Medical Labels ↗
Sixteen Iranian psychiatrists identified reduced stigma and patient empowerment as potential benefits of demedicalization of cannabis use disorder, while warning of treatment challenges and normalization risks.
Low-Dose Cannabis Oils Did Not Make Healthy Adults Sleepy or Change Their Sleep ↗
A crossover RCT of 20 healthy adults found that low-dose THC:CBD oils (1:1 and 1:16 ratios) did not cause daytime sleepiness or change night-time sleep compared to placebo.
Cannabis Use During Breastfeeding Changed Protein and Fat Levels in Breast Milk ↗
A study of 637 breast milk samples found that those with detectable cannabis metabolites had higher protein and 11% lower fat content, with no changes in calories or carbohydrates.
Illicit Cannabis Still Dominates in Many Legal States, and Hemp-Derived THC Is a Growing Wild Card ↗
A 12-state US study found illicit cannabis persists alongside legal markets, hemp-derived THC is growing rapidly in regulatory gaps, and THC products dominate 90%+ of all cannabis market value.
CBD Reduced Involuntary Movements from Parkinson's Medication in Rats Without Reducing Its Benefits ↗
CBD reduced involuntary movements caused by Parkinson's medication in rats without diminishing the drug's motor benefits, working through CB1, PPARy receptors, and endocannabinoid pathways.
Indonesia's Cannabis History Stretches Back Centuries, But Modern Law Remains Punitive ↗
A legal analysis traces Indonesian cannabis use from the 14th century to modern Constitutional Court battles, arguing that punitive policies conflict with human rights and centuries of cultural practice.
A Genetic Variant in the Body's Cannabis Receptor Was Linked to Higher Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk ↗
A study of 240 Iranians found that a genetic variant in the cannabinoid CB2 receptor gene was associated with more than 2.5 times the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD Reversed Brain and Gut Damage From Fetal Alcohol Exposure in Mice ↗
Chronic CBD from weaning reversed anxiety, brain molecular changes, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and increased alcohol motivation in mice with fetal alcohol exposure, with effects varying by sex.
A Practical Guide to Prescribing CBD for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy ↗
A practical clinical guide to prescribing pharmaceutical CBD for drug-resistant epilepsy—covering dosing strategies, drug interactions, and the 'start low, go slow' approach.
Cannabis May Play a Larger Role in Women's Suicidal Behavior Than Men's ↗
A study of 93,743 US adults found that cannabis use mediated a larger share of the link between depression, pain, and suicidal behavior in women than in men.
Using Cannabis and Opioids Together Was Linked to Less Suicidal Risk Than Expected in Women ↗
A study of 152,930 US adults found that using cannabis and opioids together was associated with a smaller-than-expected increase in suicidal behaviors, particularly in women.
Recreational Cannabis Laws Were Linked to a Small Increase in Suicide Deaths, But Results Varied by State ↗
Recreational marijuana laws were linked to an increase of 0.68 suicide deaths per 100,000 overall, but early-adopting states saw decreases while later-adopting states drove the increase.
Cannabis Sales Were Linked to More Drug- and Alcohol-Related Crashes in Quebec ↗
A Quebec study found that higher cannabis sales were linked to 12% more drug-related and 12% more alcohol-related traffic crashes across five cities, with Montreal showing 87-93% increases.
THC Changed How the Hippocampus Communicates in Female Rats, Depending on Estrogen ↗
THC altered hippocampal neurotransmission in female rats, but the direction of effects depended on whether estrogen was present, revealing a complex hormone-cannabinoid interaction in the brain.
What We Know (and Don't Know) About the Endocannabinoid System and PTSD Treatment ↗
A review found consistent preclinical evidence that endocannabinoid modulation can improve PTSD-related behaviors, but human research remains mixed and insufficient to support clinical cannabinoid therapy for PTSD.
Young Adults Want to Quit Nicotine Vaping More Than Cannabis Vaping ↗
Interviews with 20 young adults found stronger motivation to quit nicotine vaping than cannabis vaping, with addiction, mental health coping, and identity as key barriers, and health concerns as the main facilitator.