Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
A systematic review found only four small, short trials of cannabinoids for rheumatic pain, with inconsistent results. The evidence was insufficient to support clinical recommendations despite some potential for pain and sleep benefits.
A systematic review of four trials with 203 patients found limited evidence for cannabinoids in rheumatic pain, with nearly half of patients experiencing side effects and one osteoarthritis trial terminated for futility.
Researchers found that tamoxifen (a breast cancer drug) and its metabolites bind to cannabinoid receptors with varying selectivity, acting as inverse agonists and suggesting a new chemical scaffold for cannabinoid drug development.
Screening 14 breast cancer drugs at cannabinoid receptors identified four with improved binding properties compared to tamoxifen, including compounds with selective CB1 or CB2 receptor activity.
A review found limited but promising evidence that pregabalin may help manage cannabis and other drug withdrawal symptoms, though the medication's own misuse potential in substance-dependent populations warrants caution.
Researchers demonstrated for the first time that the CB1 receptor allosteric modulator Org27569 acts as an inverse agonist of ERK signaling, reducing baseline receptor activity and blocking cannabinoid-induced receptor internalization.
A case report of an adolescent using dabs, THC edibles, and heavy smoking who developed severe cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome raises concerns that high-potency products may trigger the condition faster and in younger users.
A systematic review of 36 human studies confirmed that sleep disruption is a consistent feature of cannabis withdrawal, but methodological differences between studies prevented clear conclusions about which specific aspects of sleep are most affected.
Rhesus monkeys receiving morphine plus THC developed faster pain relief tolerance than those on morphine alone, but THC did not worsen opioid withdrawal when treatment stopped.
Rat study found that MDMA reversed memory impairment caused by a synthetic cannabinoid in the hippocampus through an NMDA receptor-dependent mechanism, potentially explaining why some people combine these substances.
Brain scans revealed that young cannabis users showed unique reward-region activation when following social pressure to conform, with the strength of this activation correlating with how much cannabis they used.
Cannabis-using young adults showed greater brain activation in the caudate when receiving peer information and took longer to make decisions opposing the group, suggesting heightened neural sensitivity to social influence.
A CB1 receptor blocker at doses 30-300 times lower than those causing side effects in humans normalized memory and brain signaling in a Fragile X syndrome mouse model, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach.
A 30-year health economics model found that adding the THC:CBD spray Sativex to standard MS spasticity care was cost-effective, and saved money overall when the reduced need for home caregivers was factored in.
A case report describes how cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in a bipolar patient caused three weeks of vomiting that lowered mood stabilizer levels, likely triggering a manic episode.
Among 3,418 college students, five substance use patterns emerged, with a notably stable cluster of students who primarily co-used little cigars, hookah, and marijuana.
A rigorous multi-site trial found that oral CBD at doses up to 800 mg did not reduce the high, reinforcing effects, or cardiovascular impact of smoked cannabis in regular users.
Analysis of 302 confirmed cannabis-impaired drivers found the finger-to-nose test was the best single indicator of impairment, and combining four behavioral tests achieved over 96% accuracy, while blood THC cutoffs showed limited value.
The first nationally representative US study using DSM-5 criteria found 2.5% of adults had a past-year cannabis use disorder, with strong links to psychiatric comorbidity and disability, yet only 13% ever sought treatment.
A survey of 55 dispensary staff found nearly all gave specific medical cannabis recommendations despite only 20% having medical training, with some recommendations inconsistent with available evidence.
Post hoc analysis of a clinical trial showed Sativex improved MS spasticity regardless of whether patients had failed one or both standard antispasticity medications.
Review of animal and human evidence shows chronic alcohol disrupts the endocannabinoid system, and CB1 receptor blockade reduces alcohol consumption and relapse, though psychiatric side effects remain a barrier to clinical use.
A chronic cannabis user visited the ER three times with severe cyclic vomiting before being diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, illustrating the cost of poor CHS awareness among providers.
An inpatient study found that combining the sleep aid zolpidem with the synthetic THC pill nabilone reduced cannabis withdrawal symptoms and decreased cannabis self-administration more than zolpidem alone.
PET brain imaging in primates revealed that CB1 receptor antagonists need only 20-30% receptor occupancy for anti-obesity effects, much lower than expected, suggesting lower doses might avoid psychiatric side effects.
Computer modeling of the CB2 cannabinoid receptor in active and inactive states identified key structural differences and led to the discovery of two novel compounds, advancing rational drug design for CB2-targeted therapies.
Mouse study reveals that the CB1 blocker rimonabant impairs olfactory discrimination through TRPV1 receptors in the olfactory bulb, not through CB1 blockade, suggesting an unexpected mechanism for this drug.
Interviews with 34 Australian pharmacists found broad support for medical cannabis legalization through pharmacy settings, but identified stigma, safety concerns, and training gaps as key barriers to implementation.
Network analysis of environmental risk factors found that cannabis use had the most direct connections to psychosis symptoms, with pathways often running through other psychiatric symptoms like anxiety and hostility.
In a 13-week pilot trial, the minor cannabinoid THCV significantly lowered fasting blood sugar and improved beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes patients, while CBD had more modest effects and combinations were ineffective.
Rat drug discrimination study showed high-potency synthetic cannabinoid AM4054 and three analogs all produce THC-like effects through CB1 receptors, with potency varying based on specific structural features.
The Spice compound AM2201 was found to be 14 times more potent than THC with a rapid onset and short 60-minute half-life, helping explain the severe adverse effects seen with synthetic cannabinoid products.
Stress-normal and stress-vulnerable rat strains showed opposite pain responses after repeated stress, with matching differences in endocannabinoid system changes in the spinal cord and amygdala.
First reported case of successful outpatient treatment of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome using haloperidol, in a patient who was unwilling to stop cannabis and had failed standard anti-nausea medications.
Review shows the endocannabinoid system controls insulin-producing beta-cell function through local mechanisms, and peripheral CB1 receptor blockade improves glycemic control in diabetes models.
A survey of 2,572 Bahamian secondary school students found that both alcohol and marijuana use were independently associated with sexual behavior, supporting integrated prevention approaches.
Primate study showed THC impaired multiple cognitive functions while the body's own cannabinoid anandamide and drugs that boost it had minimal cognitive effects, suggesting a path to safer cannabinoid medicines.
The 2015 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey found 21.7% of US high school students used marijuana in the past month, a rate that had not declined over time even as cigarette and alcohol use decreased.
Comprehensive review of the endocannabinoid system's therapeutic potential across dozens of conditions, addressing both approved drugs and major setbacks in cannabinoid drug development.
Among 247 first-episode psychosis patients, escalating marijuana use in the 5 years before onset was strongly linked to faster psychosis development, with daily use doubling the rate independent of other substance use.
A pilot survey of 132 medical marijuana patients found average spending of $41 per dispensary visit, with older patients and those treating anxiety/sleep spending significantly more than chronic pain patients.
Review examines how alcohol treatment drugs (disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone) interact with cannabinoids, finding potential relevance for cannabis use disorder but limited clinical evidence.
A 9-year study of 357 heroin users in Vancouver found cannabis use doubled the risk of starting heavy drinking, while methadone treatment did not increase alcohol use as feared.
Review of medical cannabis in Canada found strong evidence for neuropathic pain relief but identified significant barriers including cost, stigma, and physician reluctance from both patient and provider perspectives.
Review presents evidence that cannabinoids may protect retinal neurons in glaucoma and diabetic eye disease through neuroprotection mechanisms beyond the known effect of lowering eye pressure.
A survey of 5,080 Canadian adults found that hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms predicted problematic cannabis use in men, while inattentive symptoms predicted it in women, revealing sex-specific pathways.
In 16 children with severe treatment-resistant spasticity, synthetic THC (dronabinol) abolished or markedly improved spasticity in 75% of cases over months of treatment with minimal side effects.
Scientists created the first chemical probes to permanently bind and map the CB1 receptor's allosteric site, with lead compound GAT100 showing exceptional potency and improved pharmacological properties.
Review reveals cannabis may enhance hippocampal learning during use (strengthening drug-context memories) while impairing it during withdrawal (driving relapse), creating a cycle that maintains addiction.
Analysis of 100,000+ tweets found mostly positive attitudes toward cannabis edibles, but concerning reports of unpredictable effects, with more edibles discussion in states where cannabis is legal.