Psychedelic Use Is Linked to Higher Rates of Cannabis Use Disorder ↗
National survey data showing psilocybin and LSD use associated with approximately double the risk of cannabis use disorder, complicating therapeutic psychedelic narratives.
Research library — page 122
Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
College Sports Participation May Buffer Mental Health Risks of Cannabis Use ↗
Analysis of 150,992 college students showing organized sports participation moderates the link between cannabis use and depression, anxiety, and PTSD diagnoses.
How the Endocannabinoid System Regulates Seizures and Brain Inflammation ↗
Review detailing how the endocannabinoid system regulates both neuronal excitability and neuroinflammation in epilepsy, highlighting dual therapeutic mechanisms.
What Research Says About Cannabis Use in Indigenous Communities ↗
Scoping review of 152 studies on cannabis use in Indigenous communities finding disproportionately higher use rates and a critical lack of culturally appropriate intervention research.
Cannabis May Actually Improve Working Memory in Aging Brains ↗
Preclinical study finding chronic oral THC enhances working memory in aged rats without affecting young adults, suggesting cannabis may help age-related cognitive decline.
A Clinical Review of Cannabis Therapeutics: What the Evidence Actually Supports ↗
Clinical review of cannabis therapeutics establishing strong evidence for 6 conditions while noting mixed evidence for pain, sleep, and psychiatric uses, alongside significant risks.
Low-Dose THC Plus an Anti-Inflammatory Drug Shows Promise for Alzheimer's Prevention ↗
Preclinical study showing low-dose THC combined with celecoxib reduces Alzheimer's pathology and improves cognition in mice, with both drugs already FDA-approved.
CBD and Green Tea Compound Together Block SARS-CoV-2 at Multiple Levels ↗
Lab study showing CBD and green tea EGCG complement each other to block SARS-CoV-2 at multiple stages — CBD reduces virus entry receptor while EGCG suppresses spike protein.
From Lab to Clinic: How Cannabinoids Affect the Immune System ↗
Comprehensive review of cannabinoid effects on the immune system, from molecular mechanisms to disease applications, highlighting both therapeutic potential and safety concerns.
CBD Disrupts the Metabolic Fuel Supply of Colorectal Cancer Cells ↗
Preclinical study showing CBD inhibits colorectal cancer by targeting the HIF-1alpha/LDHA glycolysis pathway, disrupting the metabolic reprogramming that fuels tumor growth.
Delta-8-THC Can Cause Significant Drug Interactions by Inhibiting Liver Enzymes ↗
First study characterizing delta-8-THC's drug interaction potential, finding significant inhibition of CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 liver enzymes with clinically relevant predictions.
Substance Use Disorders Are Rising Among Hospitalized IBD Patients ↗
Analysis of 2.5 million IBD hospitalizations showing substance use disorders rising from 24% to 28% in Crohn's disease, with cannabis and opioid use disorders growing fastest.
What Home-Grown Cannabis Looks Like After Australia's Capital Decriminalized Cultivation ↗
First study of home-grown cannabis after Australian decriminalization: moderate THC (9%), low contamination, but 52% of growers anxious about legal grey areas.
Part of Cannabis's Link to Depression May Be Explained by Smoke-Related Pollutants ↗
NHANES analysis showing cannabis doubles depression odds, with 11-17% of the effect mediated by combustion-related pollutants (PAHs), suggesting smoking method matters.
Global Drug Use Disorder Burden: Fewer New Cases But More Deaths Over 30 Years ↗
Global Burden of Disease analysis showing drug use disorder incidence fell 8% but deaths rose 31% from 1990-2021, with 13.6 million new cases and 137,000 deaths in 2021.
Chronic Stress Reduces Endocannabinoid Signaling in a Depression-Related Brain Region ↗
Preclinical study showing chronic stress reduces endocannabinoid CB1 receptors in the ovBNST brain region, causing depression that is partially rescued by enhancing endocannabinoid signaling.
Recreational Cannabis Users Drink More on Days They Also Use Cannabis ↗
Daily-level analysis showing recreational cannabis users drink more on cannabis days (complementary), while medical users drink less (substitution) in Washington State.
Exercise Benefits in Parkinson's May Work Through the Endocannabinoid System ↗
Preclinical study showing exercise improves Parkinson's motor function through CB1 receptor modulation in the striatum, linking endocannabinoid signaling to exercise's therapeutic effects.
Experts Agree on 6 Core Cannabis Competencies Every Medical Student Should Learn ↗
JAMA Network Open consensus statement establishing 6 core competencies and 26 sub-competencies for integrating medical cannabis education into medical school curricula.
CBD and THC Together Rescue Migraine Symptoms in a Mouse Model ↗
Preclinical study showing a 100:1 CBD:THC ratio pretreatment rescues CGRP-induced migraine symptoms including light aversion and pain in mice.
Adolescent THC Disrupts Brain Cell Migration in a Psychiatric Risk Model ↗
Single-nucleus RNA study showing adolescent THC disrupts neuroblast migration in the nucleus accumbens, especially in mice with genetic psychiatric risk, providing a mechanism for gene-cannabis interaction.
Ethnic Discrimination and Minority Stress Drive Cannabis Use Problems in Hispanic/Latinx Adults ↗
Study of 521 Hispanic/Latinx cannabis users showing ethnic discrimination and minority stress independently predict greater cannabis use problems and barriers to reducing use.
What Happens When Young Children Accidentally Eat Cannabis Edibles ↗
Reviews the growing problem of accidental cannabis edible ingestion in young children, covering symptom recognition, emergency management, and prevention strategies for families.
CBD Affects Your Body's Own Cannabis Molecules—But Differently in Men and Women ↗
A rigorous crossover trial found that even 20 mg of CBD altered the body's natural cannabinoid levels—with men and women showing different dose-response patterns.
Mayo Clinic Review: Can CBD Help Treat Heart Disease? ↗
Mayo Clinic review of CBD's potential in cardiovascular medicine, covering anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective mechanisms across pericarditis, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure.
Should Teens with Tourette Syndrome Try Medical Cannabis? Experts Urge Caution ↗
Expert commentary urging caution about medical cannabis for adolescent Tourette syndrome, highlighting the gap between adult evidence and adolescent safety concerns.
Does Teen Cannabis Exposure Change How Rats Respond to Alcohol Later? ↗
Rat study finds adolescent THC vapor exposure doesn't increase alcohol consumption but alters the psychological framework of drinking behavior differently in males and females.
Older Adults Using Cannabis for Chronic Pain Had More Depression and Pain Interference Over Time ↗
Among 353 older adults with chronic pain, the small minority using cannabis had more pain interference and depression over time—though the tiny sample size limits conclusions.
Cannabinoid Treatments for Rare and Less-Common Diseases: What We Know So Far ↗
Review of cannabinoid therapies for rare and less-common disorders including unusual epilepsies, movement disorders, and skin diseases, with focus on advanced drug delivery strategies.
CBD Plus Exercise May Protect Insulin-Producing Cells in Obesity ↗
Rat study shows CBD and aerobic exercise synergistically protect insulin-producing beta cells in obesity through the PI3K/AKT/PDX1 pathway, with CBD driving functional improvement.
How CBD Protects the Heart from Damage After Blood Flow Restoration ↗
Rat study demonstrates CBD protects the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury by boosting mitochondrial biogenesis and suppressing inflammation through the SIRT-1/PGC-1α pathway.
1 in 6 Pregnancies in Michigan Involved Cannabis Use ↗
Statewide Michigan study using both self-report and urine testing finds 1 in 6 pregnancies involved cannabis use, strongly linked to depression, adverse childhood experiences, and socioeconomic factors.
Why Pregnant Women Use Cannabis: Mental Health and Emotional Coping Drive Decisions ↗
Qualitative study reveals low-income pregnant cannabis users are primarily motivated by emotional regulation and mental health needs, highlighting systemic barriers to support and informed decision-making.
Mapping How 100+ Cannabis Plant Compounds Interact with the Body ↗
Review of how cannabis's 100+ compounds interact with molecular targets in the body, highlighting major gaps in understanding beyond THC and CBD, especially for acid cannabinoids.
Cannabis-Based Treatments Reduce MS Spasticity, Meta-Analysis Confirms ↗
Meta-analysis of 9 trials with 2,544 MS patients confirms cannabis-based therapies improve spasticity, especially with longer treatment duration, with mild side effects like dizziness and dry mouth.
Synthetic CBD Alternatives Show Less Toxicity and Protect Brain Cells from Alcohol Damage ↗
Synthetic CBD analogues are over 13 times less toxic than natural CBD to brain cells while maintaining protective effects against alcohol-induced damage, supporting their development for alcohol use disorder.
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Suppresses Key Immune Signals in Mothers ↗
Study finds cannabis use during pregnancy suppresses both pro- and anti-inflammatory immune signals in mothers, providing a potential biological mechanism for adverse birth outcomes.
Cannabis and Opioid Receptors May Work Through Separate Brain Circuits, Not Direct Interaction ↗
Knockout mouse study challenges the theory that cannabis and opioid receptors interact directly, finding limited brain co-expression and no functional cross-dependence for pain relief or other effects.
Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Linked to Altered Brain Reward Processing and Psychotic Experiences in Youth ↗
Large ABCD Study finds prenatal cannabis exposure alters brain reward processing in children, with blunted striatal responses predicting psychotic-like experiences over 4 years of follow-up.
Teen Cannabis Use Has Dropped Since 1999 — But Girls Now Use More Than Boys ↗
Three decades of national survey data show US teen cannabis use peaked in 1999 and declined since, but a historic shift has occurred — girls now use more than boys.
What Would Happen If Sweden Decriminalized Cannabis? A Predictive Model ↗
Predictive model using data from 12 countries estimates that cannabis decriminalization in Sweden would spike experimental use temporarily but could drive sustained increases in regular use.
When Cannabis Causes Both Psychosis and Uncontrollable Vomiting: A Psychiatric Case ↗
Case report of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome developing during psychiatric admission for drug-induced psychosis, highlighting diagnostic challenges and the need for multidisciplinary cannabis-related care.
Adding Cannabis to Alcohol During Pregnancy Increases Risk of Small Babies ↗
California birth data from 2007-2021 shows combining cannabis with alcohol during pregnancy adds 21% higher risk of small babies, while adding tobacco raises preterm birth risk by 44-68%.
First Real-World Driving Study to Test Whether Medical Cannabis Impairs Patients ↗
Protocol for the first real-world on-track driving study testing whether medical cannabis patients are impaired at therapeutic doses, compared to alcohol at the legal driving limit.
Canada's Impaired Driving Rose After Legalization — But Enhanced Enforcement May Be Why ↗
Canadian impaired driving reports rose after 2018 cannabis legalization, but analysis suggests enhanced police enforcement and pandemic effects drove the increase more than cannabis sales themselves.
Depression Predicts Cannabis Initiation in Mexican American Young Adults ↗
Among 616 Mexican American college students who'd never used cannabis, depressive symptoms predicted starting cannabis a year later—family factors didn't buffer it.
Cannabis-Related Psychosis Has a More Chronic Course Than Expected for 'Substance-Induced' Diagnoses ↗
Five-year study of 1,379 first-psychosis patients finds cannabis-related psychosis follows a more chronic course than expected for substance-induced conditions, challenging treatment assumptions.
Hypothetical Cannabis Purchase Tasks Accurately Predict Real Smoking Behavior ↗
Lab study validates the Marijuana Purchase Task by showing hypothetical cannabis demand closely predicts actual purchasing and smoking behavior, with self-report explaining 66% of consumption variance.
The Cochrane Verdict on Cannabis for Nerve Pain: Modest Benefit, Significant Side Effects ↗
The Cochrane Review found cannabis provides modest neuropathic pain relief for a minority of patients, but side effects are common—the benefit-harm balance is delicate.
Punishing Pregnant Women for Drug Use Doesn't Actually Reduce Drug Use During Pregnancy ↗
Analysis of 20,000+ pregnancies across 19 states finds punitive prenatal substance use policies (child abuse charges, mandatory reporting) do not reduce drug use during pregnancy.