Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Analysis of 36,161 pediatric cannabis exposures found medical dispensary openings increased young children's poisonings by 52%, but recreational dispensaries subsequently decreased them by 42%, suggesting regulatory maturation protects children.
Pharmacokinetic study of oromucosal THC in 20 older patients with poor appetite found extremely large absorption variability (40-152% CV), with no patient characteristics predicting individual response.
Systematic comparison of ten non-psychoactive cannabinoids found CBDV was the most anti-inflammatory, and combinations with CBG or CBN plus cannabis plant matrices showed synergistic effects.
Pilot trial of rectal CBD/hyaluronic acid suppositories found 81% of men with chronic pelvic pain improved over 30 days, with significant reductions in symptom scores.
Study of 162,532 US teens found dose-dependent links between cannabis use frequency and worse academic performance, self-regulation, and emotional states, even at monthly use levels, with younger teens more vulnerable.
National study of 437,000 US adults found cannabis use associated with increased stroke risk (28% higher for non-daily users), with stronger associations for daily use.
Analysis of 98,820 All of Us participants found a nonlinear relationship between discrimination and cannabis use, with associations varying significantly across sexual orientation and gender identity groups.
RCT found THC/CBD reduced total sleep time by 25 minutes and dramatically cut REM sleep by 34 minutes in insomnia patients — challenging the cannabis-aids-sleep belief.
Survey of 9,178 youth found earlier cannabis initiation predicted greater difficulty quitting for both American Indian and non-AI students, with AI youth more likely to start before age 14.
Review finds strongest evidence for cannabis-based medicines in Tourette syndrome (tic and comorbidity improvement), with limited but promising evidence for Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.
Study of 1,992 Canadian veterans found regular cannabis users had 2-4 times the odds of chronic pain, mental disorders, and suicidal ideation, but also 5.6 times the odds of seeking professional help.
Meta-analysis of 64 studies found medicinal cannabis improved quality of life across chronic conditions, with effects growing from small (d=0.30 in RCTs) to moderate-large (d=0.74) in longer-term observational studies.
Study of underage US young adults found 95% of cannabis users perceived easy access and 63.5% used multiple product types, with state recreational policy increasing perceived access among non-users.
Wastewater surveillance in a Japanese town found low but steadily rising THC use (27% annual increase) and surprisingly high CBD use from 2020 to 2023, providing objective data in a strict prohibition country.
Review highlights that older adults are increasingly using cannabis for pain and insomnia, but research on cardiovascular risks, cognitive effects, and neurodegeneration in aging populations is just beginning.
Cell-based screening detected synthetic cannabinoid activity in 6 of 23 vape liquids faster and cheaper than chemical analysis, and flagged unexpected CB1-interfering substances in five others.
Rat study found neonatal CBD treatment reduced some immediate pain responses but failed to prevent long-term anxiety from early pain exposure, while raising safety concerns including elevated stress hormones.
Lab study found the body's own cannabinoids (anandamide and oleamide) selectively killed glioblastoma cells by disrupting mitochondrial function through PPAR-gamma receptors, while sparing normal brain cells.
Synthetic cannabinoid increased BDNF expression in adolescent rat prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum — potentially disrupting precisely timed brain development.
Scoping review of 14 studies found THC/CBD combinations showed modest opioid-sparing potential after orthopedic surgery, while CBD-only interventions had inconsistent results.
Study of over 31,000 preterm infants found maternal cannabis use disorder was not associated with increased or decreased risk of retinopathy of prematurity (aRR=1.0).
Scoping review of 270 studies found cannabinoid research in women heavily focuses on pregnancy safety (80%), with major gaps in women-specific conditions, CBD, delta-8 THC, and motivations for use.
Propensity-matched study of 6,252 patients found preoperative cannabis use associated with 70% higher infection risk, plus significantly increased nonunion and reoperation rates after ankle fracture surgery.
RNA analysis found psoriatic skin lesions show major endocannabinoid receptor changes including CB2 upregulation and PPARG downregulation, while unaffected skin appears normal, highlighting potential drug targets.
Delphi study with 12 international experts reached consensus on 40 items for a cannabis risk assessment tool in rheumatology, covering demographics, medical history, and consumption patterns.
Fourteen days of daily CBD reduced T cell and B cell populations in rat spleens while leaving natural killer cells and their cancer/infection-fighting ability intact.
Meta-analysis of 9 RCTs found CBT did not significantly outperform other psychosocial treatments for reducing cannabis use frequency, though one measure of daily consumption showed a medium-term benefit.
Rat study found a hemp extract with only 2.5 mg/kg CBD was more effective than 80 mg/kg of pure CBD at reducing meth relapse-like behavior, supporting the therapeutic value of full-spectrum cannabinoid preparations.
Mouse study found THC-induced anxiety involves crosstalk between cannabinoid CB1 and adenosine A2A receptors in the hippocampus, suggesting adenosine system modulation could influence cannabis anxiety effects.
Scoping review finds no controlled evidence supporting cannabinoids for OCD, while psilocybin shows a stronger signal for treatment-resistant cases among the 40-60% of patients who do not respond to standard treatments.
Survey of 612 bariatric surgery patients found cannabis use jumped 52% post-operatively, with hazardous drinkers most likely to pick it up.
UK registry data from 497 fibromyalgia patients showed medical cannabis was linked to improved pain, anxiety, sleep, and quality of life, though nearly half reported side effects.
Review found prenatal cannabis exposure reduces placental inflammation markers, which was linked to behavioral issues in offspring, though research is still early.
Case series documented underdiagnosed cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in adolescents, showing it leads to unnecessary testing and increased healthcare use.
THC produced consistent physiological effects in HIV-model rats without worsening motivation deficits, and chronic use showed tolerance to acute motivational impacts.
Danish study found NAS incidence stable at 0.6 per 1,000 births, with one-third of cases not involving opioids and cannabis being the most common non-opioid substance.
ABCD Study found prenatal tobacco and marijuana exposure linked to children's behavior problems, with tobacco specifically altering connectivity between attention and default mode brain networks.
A 32-year-old died from 4F-MDMB-BICA, a synthetic cannabinoid up to hundreds of times more potent than marijuana, with coronary disease as a contributing factor.
Nationally representative study of 19,000+ youth found recreational cannabis legalization linked to 45% higher odds of starting cannabis vaping, but e-cigarette use was the strongest predictor at 8x higher odds.
Single neonatal THC dose caused lasting spatial memory deficits in female rats but not males, with altered dendritic structure in both sexes — revealing stark sex-specific vulnerability.
Interviews with 17 kidney disease patients revealed they value cannabis for symptom relief but face financial barriers, stigma, and clinicians who lack knowledge about prescribed options.
French surveys of 4,164 cannabis users found most buy from dealers or friends, with problematic use and being male predicting purchasing or cultivation over receiving it free.
First preclinical evidence that 14 days of inhaled CBD pretreatment significantly reduced glioblastoma tumor growth in mice by modulating immune checkpoint markers.
NHANES analysis of nearly 6,000 middle-aged adults found frequent cannabis use linked to significantly lower Klotho, an aging biomarker, with a dose-dependent relationship.
CBD reduced CD47 (an immune evasion signal) on leukemia cells and triggered apoptosis through VDAC-1 oligomerization, a specific mitochondrial mechanism.
ABCD Study found adolescents' mental health improved when household members quit cannabis, mediated by reduced family conflict and better sleep.
Matched study of 152 burn patients found cannabis intoxication at admission had no significant impact on nutritional markers like prealbumin and albumin.
Interviews with 23 veterans revealed they value cannabis for health but get information from peers and dispensaries rather than clinicians, who they see as judgmental or uninformed.
National survey data showed 11.4% of U.S. teens ages 12-17 use cannabis, with higher use linked to more missed school and lower grades.
Longitudinal brain imaging of 136 teens found cannabis use linked to cortical thinning (especially in males), while pre-existing brain differences also predicted who would use cannabis.