Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
National survey finds 90 million US adults have tried CBD, with one-third of users taking it to replace or supplement conventional medications — most commonly OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen.
Rat study shows combining a CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonist with capsaicin produces synergistic antidepressant-like effects through complementary gut-brain pathways.
Analysis of 194 gastroschisis cases finds maternal cannabis use associated with 2.6x higher odds of the severe complex form with bowel complications, identifying it as a potentially modifiable risk factor.
ABCD Study of 6,638 youth shows family conflict drives positive cannabis beliefs through emotional impulsivity, with brain imaging identifying neural amplifiers of this risk pathway.
Rat study shows CBD helps extinguish meth-seeking behavior and prevents relapse through D2 dopamine receptors in the hippocampus, identifying a specific brain mechanism for CBD's anti-addiction potential.
Review of the cannabis terpene β-caryophyllene's hepatoprotective effects through CB2 receptor activation, showing consistent benefits across fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and fibrosis models.
Human placenta perfusion confirms P-gp and BCRP transporters actively pump THC away from the fetus, providing partial but incomplete protection from prenatal cannabis exposure.
Study of 1,369 college students identifies sensation seeking, low perseverance, and positive expectations about mixing as key factors distinguishing simultaneous alcohol-marijuana users.
Pilot study finds a 10-week walking program reduced prenatal cannabis use from 63% to 17% while improving physical activity, anxiety, and depression — with excellent retention.
Real-time tracking of 215 young adults reveals distinct subjective effect profiles for different cannabis methods — bongs feel best, vapes feel less intoxicating, edibles reduce desire to re-use.
Review explains why cannabis use disorder still has no FDA-approved medication — from animal model challenges to fundamental disagreements about whether treatment should target abstinence or reduced use.
Survey of 2,602 cancer patients finds 1 in 4 use cannabis — primarily for sleep, with higher use among Stage 4 and chemotherapy patients, using multiple consumption methods.
Protocol for the first randomized controlled trial testing dronabinol (synthetic THC) as both a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent for chronic sickle cell disease pain.
Analysis of an alcohol treatment trial finds participants spontaneously reduced cannabis and cigarette use, with early cannabis reduction linked to lower alcohol consumption.
JAMA-published trial of 183 cannabis users shows a portable brain scanner (fNIRS) detects THC impairment with 90% accuracy vs. 69% for field sobriety tests, with far fewer false positives.
Longitudinal study of 300+ families finds postpartum depression predicts lower endocannabinoid (AEA) levels over time — and maternal depression may even affect children's endocannabinoid-related molecules.
Precise vapor pressure measurements show THC, CBD, and CBN likely exist primarily as vapor (not aerosol) in exhaled breath, explaining why current cannabis breathalyzers give inconsistent results.
Lab study shows CBD and CBG alter melanoma cell membranes, boost endocannabinoid levels, and reduce inflammatory signals — effects enhanced when combined with UVA radiation.
Advanced imaging revealed prenatal THC reduced copper in offspring brain tissue and altered neurochemistry in emotion-processing circuits—molecular fingerprints of exposure.
Review reveals zero human studies exist on the pharmacology of vaping THC liquids — despite widespread use and higher potency than smoked cannabis — highlighting urgent research and regulatory needs.
A pilot study of 10 adolescent CHS patients found universal cannabis use disorder and specific blood profiles that may help diagnose the condition.
Study of typically developing youth finds marijuana use alters brain network connectivity without cognitive deficits, while alcohol shows cognitive associations without brain connectivity changes.
Two randomized trials found CBD up to 1200mg/day was tolerable but no better than placebo for alcohol use disorder or co-occurring PTSD, despite both groups showing large improvements.
National survey of 13,000+ young cannabis users finds using 3+ modes (smoking, vaping, edibles, dabbing) multiplies risk of addiction, mental illness, and impaired driving 2-5 times — independent of frequency.
National survey finds 1 in 5 older adults who use cannabis drive within 2 hours of consumption, with daily users, men, and those using for mental health at highest risk.
Verified CHS case shows progressive worsening with each episode, leading to a new hypersensitization hypothesis that explains the escalating severity and response to haloperidol and capsaicin.
Study finds chronic cannabis users matched for IQ and education show no cognitive deficits after abstinence — personality traits like novelty seeking, not brain function, distinguish them from non-users.
Commentary reveals how the 2018 Farm Bill created a loophole for hemp-derived THC beverages sold nationwide with inconsistent age limits, no dosing standards, and minimal oversight.
Largest cannabis genetics study (N=258,823) finds 11 variants linked to trying cannabis, prominently CADM2, with genetics of experimentation distinct from addiction and overlapping with risk-taking.
Study of 307 people with HIV finds cannabis use — even regular use — is not associated with worse prospective memory, with dual-motivation users trending toward better performance.
CBD reduced opioid self-administration in rats with nerve pain without reducing oxycodone's analgesic effects—a potential path to safer opioid prescribing.
Year-long case report shows cannabis oil combined with physiotherapy produced sustained 60% pain reduction and 57% tremor reduction in post-stroke dystonic tremor.
Study of 520 Hispanic/Latine cannabis users finds anxiety sensitivity drives cannabis problems through different motivational pathways for men (coping) and women (expansion).
Norwegian survey finds 8% of teen non-users would try cannabis if decriminalized and 40% of users would increase, providing concrete projections for policy planning.
Behavioral economics study shows people in pain want more cannabis, pay more for it, and are harder to deter — underscoring pain as a key driver of cannabis demand and potential misuse.
PhenX Toolkit releases 15 standardized measurement protocols for medical cannabis and polysubstance use research, enabling better data comparison and combination across studies.
Two-year study finds a blunted brain reward signal (RewP) on EEG predicts escalating cannabis problems in teens with minimal prior use — offering a potential early identification tool.
California survey finds White and Hispanic adults primarily co-use alcohol and cannabis at home, with minimal racial/ethnic differences in usage contexts despite different population profiles.
Among 13,088 pregnant women in cannabis treatment, those in legal states had 67% lower odds of completing treatment—only 28.3% completed overall.
Rat study shows prenatal THC exposure reduces adult motivation on effort-demanding tasks, especially in males, linked to attenuated dopamine responses in the brain's reward center.
Washington State study of 4,144 cannabis users finds people with psychotic disorders experience significantly more adverse events — including physical symptoms beyond psychiatric exacerbation.
Cannabis plant polyphenols (not cannabinoids) protect brain cells from oxidative damage by activating the master antioxidant Nrf2 pathway and reducing inflammation.
In a rigorous trial, pharmaceutical CBD altered brain waves and improved cognitive abilities in boys with severe autism—with blood CBD levels predicting the brain changes.
Vaping cannabis reduces some combustion harms but produces similar cardiovascular effects to smoking and introduces its own lung risks—not a safe alternative.
Multi-state analysis of social equity programs in legal cannabis found wide variation in design and outcomes, with persistent gaps between policy goals and actual representation.
Longitudinal study finds bidirectional links between cannabis use and food insecurity in young adults, with stronger effects among parents — suggesting a cycle that threatens families.
Well-designed rat study finds CBD does not protect against postmenopausal bone loss and may even increase bone resorption, ruling it out as a standalone osteoporosis treatment.
Screening of 28 cannabis compounds in human-derived neurons identifies cannabigerorcinic acid (CBGOA) as a candidate neuroprotectant against stroke damage.
Review describes how CBD's interactions with multiple ion channels — separate from cannabinoid receptors — offer a novel approach to liver cancer prevention and treatment.
Analysis of 490 hemp-derived THC vape products reveals 26 intoxicating cannabinoids across 95 brands, with marketing designed to reduce risk perception through compliance messaging and flavor appeal.