Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
THC and CBD blocked IL-1beta production in human monocytes by inhibiting inflammasome assembly and caspase-1, working at the protein level rather than gene expression, through a mechanism independent of CB2 receptors alone.
Meta-analysis of 17 studies (3,359 participants) found cannabinoids modestly but significantly reduced itching (SMD=-0.29) with zero heterogeneity, but showed no significant benefit for skin dryness, redness, quality of life, or atopic dermatitis.
Study of 9,869 sexual minority patients found bisexual individuals had significantly higher cannabis use, CUD risk, and mental health diagnoses than gay/lesbian patients, with bisexual males particularly affected.
X-ray crystallography revealed how THC fits inside CYP3A4, the enzyme metabolizing most drugs, with a binding affinity of 1.9 micromolar driven by hydrophobic interactions, providing a structural basis for predicting cannabinoid-drug interactions.
Systematic review of 4 clinical (74 participants) and 16 preclinical studies found CBD may reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal anxiety, with a well-tolerated safety profile, though the evidence base remains very small.
UK Medical Cannabis Registry data from 203 MS patients showed cannabis-based products improved pain, energy, sleep, and quality of life over 24 months, with 82% of side effects being mild or moderate.
Analysis of 248 million ER encounters found 134,059 CHS visits from 2016-2024, primarily in young adults (mean age 32), with steady 13.5% admission rates and distinctive haloperidol-based treatment patterns.
Probiotic-fermented hemp seeds reduced arthritis severity in mice by restoring beneficial gut bacteria, modulating metabolites, and delivering anti-inflammatory peptides to the bloodstream, outperforming both unfermented hemp and the probiotic alone.
Pre-employment THC positive rates at a California hospital clinic increased from 0.12% to 0.94% between 2017-2022 post-legalization, with the female proportion of positives rising from 25% to 62%.
Cannabichromene at 20 mg/kg reduced depression-like behavior in chronically stressed mice comparably to imipramine, likely through CB2 receptor binding and MAO-A inhibition, without psychoactive effects.
Systematic review of 11 case reports found synthetic cannabinoid withdrawal produced psychosis (82%), seizures (45%), and other severe symptoms within 24-48 hours, far exceeding the severity of natural cannabis withdrawal.
Analysis of 89 daily cannabis users found that 'Willingness to Take Again' better predicted actual cannabis self-administration than the FDA-recommended 'Drug Liking' measure, suggesting regulatory assessment methods may need updating.
CBD protected against methamphetamine-induced brain damage in cells and mice by directly binding to and blocking TRPV1 channels, preventing the calcium overload, oxidative stress, and cell death that drive meth-related neurological harm.
Ten weeks of daily CBD oil at 10 mg/kg caused no structural liver damage in rats, though Kupffer cells (liver immune cells) increased 1.58-fold, suggesting hepatic immune activation without pathology.
Perinatal cannabis exposure delayed puberty and disrupted estrous cycles in first-generation female mice, but effects were minor in F2/F3 generations, and fertility was uncompromised across all three generations.
National case-control study found cannabis use associated with 83% increased odds of suicide death, independent of alcohol. Used toxicology-verified data from suicide decedents and population controls.
Injectable liposomal CBD provided sustained blood levels and pain relief in arthritic dogs—bypassing the poor oral absorption that limits current CBD products.
Primate study found prenatal edible THC exposure reduced infant lung volumes and altered lung gene expression through epigenetic changes at 6 months of age.
12-month observational study of 137 new medical cannabis patients found early and sustained improvements in self-reported sleep quality across all measures, regardless of administration route or condition.
Large prospective study of 2,449 trauma survivors found pre-trauma insomnia predicted heavier cannabis and alcohol use 8 weeks later, partly through early PTSD symptoms.
Systematic review of 50 studies found anxiety sensitivity linked to coping-motivated cannabis use and problematic use patterns, but not to whether or how often someone uses cannabis.
Mouse study found CBD reduced rosacea-like skin inflammation by blocking MAPK signaling pathways, with stronger effects when combined with metronidazole.
Narrative review consolidates evidence on cannabis-related skin reactions including contact dermatitis, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and arteritis, highlighting their underrecognition in clinical practice.
Secondary analysis of a randomized trial found people with opioid use disorder receiving buprenorphine were 39% less likely to use cannabis than those receiving naltrexone.
Survey of 901 college students found food restriction on substance use days independently predicted worse consequences for both alcohol and marijuana users, including those using both simultaneously.
Review of cannabinoid evidence for chronic pain found modest benefits (0.5-1.0 points on a 10-point scale), strongest for neuropathic pain, with notable side effects and regulatory challenges.
First comprehensive rat study of HHC found it crosses the blood-brain barrier, shows low acute toxicity (Category 4), but causes dose-dependent anxiety and impaired sensory processing.
Two teens with treatment-resistant CHS vomiting (36–45 hours) improved within 1 hour of aprepitant—a potential game-changer for acute CHS management.
Survey of 1,113 Polish adults found 81% support medical cannabis and 84% would try it, but only 4.2% have been recommended it by a doctor, highlighting a gap between public support and clinical implementation.
Analysis of 496 cannabis users in São Paulo identified four distinct profiles, with about 30% in high-risk categories characterized by early onset, frequent use, and polydrug patterns.
Study of 95,645 Northern California teens found cannabis retail bans associated with lower psychotic disorder rates, and greater retail density linked to higher rates of anxiety and depressive disorders.
Lab study found cannabinol pre-treatment activated stress-response and axon-guidance gene pathways in neuronal cells without affecting viability, suggesting potential neuroprotective properties.
Canadian ED chart review found the profile of patients presenting with suicidality and cannabis use remained stable from immediately post-legalization to two years later, despite increased population cannabis use.
Prospective study of 10,322 injured drivers at 17 Canadian trauma centers found alcohol increased hospital admissions after crashes, but THC did not modify this effect or independently predict injury severity.
Two adolescent cases of cyclical vomiting attributed to cannabis use were actually menstrual-cycle-linked (catamenial CVS), successfully treated with hormonal contraception despite continued cannabis use.
International survey of 889 people using cannabis for endometriosis found most accessed it illegally, nearly all planned to continue, and over 30% hid use from their doctors due to stigma and legal concerns.
Review of CBD for drug-resistant childhood epilepsy documents regulatory approval in the US, Europe, and India for Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex, with evidence of seizure reduction and generally favorable safety.
Review of 36 randomized controlled trials found CBD had variable effects on cognition: some anxiety reduction at 300-400 mg, minor Parkinson's benefits at 75-300 mg, but minimal cognitive effects in schizophrenia and substance use disorders.
Study found socially anxious male emerging adults with high impulsivity were at greatest risk for coping-motivated cannabis use and related problems, suggesting a specific vulnerability profile.
Study of 709 Lithuanian young adults found childhood sexual abuse predicted cannabis and other substance use, while verbal abuse showed unexpected negative associations, challenging ACE summation approaches.
Analysis of 2,015 adolescents found early marijuana use (before age 13) linked to higher odds of other substance use and violence, with gambling status modifying several of these relationships.
Study of 742,491 pregnant women across 9 US states found only 21% received guideline-adherent cannabis counseling, with recreational legalization states doing more screening but also more pro-cannabis advice.
Survey of 126 Australian epilepsy patients and caregivers found nearly half used illicit cannabis despite legal options, with cost (69%) and THC driving restrictions as primary barriers to legal access.
4-week study of 499 anxious individuals found all cannabis product types (THC, CBD, 1:1) increased both emotional reactivity to stress and recovery from it compared to non-use, with THC additionally elevating heart rate.
12-month UK study found adolescents were 3.26 times more likely to develop cannabis use disorder than young adults, with baseline CUD as the other significant predictor. Use frequency, gender, and other factors were not significant.
A 27-year-old was unknowingly exposed to the synthetic cannabinoid ADB-BUTINACA through a contaminated e-cigarette, detected only through advanced mass spectrometry after standard drug tests came back negative.
Study of 108 Dutch people with psychotic disorders found pain did not predict cannabis use, but those on less-sedating antipsychotics used more cannabis, suggesting different motivations than pain relief.
Small placebo-controlled trial found THCV/CBD oral strips produced significant weight loss, reduced abdominal girth, and improved metabolic markers over 90 days, with higher doses showing greater effects.
Longitudinal study of 788 people with bipolar disorder found within-person increases in cannabis use frequency predicted higher suicidal ideation at subsequent timepoints, alongside effects of substance use impairment.
6-week pilot trial of 12 anxious patients found a hemp-derived CBD sublingual solution (30 mg/day) reduced anxiety and improved mood, sleep, and cognition with no serious side effects.