Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Review revealing that the endocannabinoid system regulates metabolism throughout the body via peripheral CB1 receptors, opening new treatment avenues after rimonabant's psychiatric side effects ended its use.
Systematic review of 52 Indian studies found high co-occurrence of cannabis and psychotic disorders, but nearly all studies used male-only samples and none adequately explored causation.
Review of clinical trial evidence finding THC-containing medications effective for cannabis withdrawal, promising for opioid withdrawal, and identifying rimonabant's failed potential for smoking cessation.
Analysis of 44 million legal cannabis purchases in Washington found concentrates growing rapidly (146%) with 68.7% average THC, while consumers consistently paid premiums for higher potency.
Qualitative study of 25 parents using cannabis for pediatric epilepsy found they viewed themselves as scientific experimenters who wanted biomedical legitimacy, not alternative medicine rebels.
Systematic review of 183 studies establishing 14 diagnostic features of CHS, confirming cannabis cessation as the only cure and hot bathing relief in 92.3% of cases.
Lab study using human-derived neurons found high-dose THC (10 micromolar) disrupted neuronal function during dopaminergic development, while low doses had minimal effects.
The biology linking the endocannabinoid system to PTSD was strong, but clinical evidence for cannabis as treatment was weak. Nabilone showed real promise for nightmares specifically.
Rat study showing CBD disrupted both specific and generalized fear memory consolidation through anandamide-mediated CB1 and CB2 receptor activation in the dorsal hippocampus.
Survey of 22,224 Mexican university students found earlier substance initiation predicted current use and polysubstance use, with males significantly more likely to use marijuana.
Australian survey of 976 epilepsy patients found 15% had tried cannabis, 90% of adults reported seizure reduction, and more failed medications predicted cannabis use.
Rat study revealing that endocannabinoids mediate the suppression of reproductive hormones during immune activation through hypothalamic CB1 receptors, while also helping control inflammation.
Review finding cannabis showed benefits for MS, Parkinson's, ALS, and late-stage Alzheimer's, but increased positive symptoms in schizophrenia and worsened bipolar disorder.
Controlled study found smoked/vaporized cannabis produced higher peak THC in saliva, while edibles created wider metabolite detection windows, with minor cannabinoids showing promise as markers of recent use.
Mouse study found CBD modestly reduced some THC behavioral effects but their combination produced unexpected epigenetic changes in the brain's reward pathway not seen with either compound alone.
Pilot trial found a family-based intervention with emotional regulation skills reduced marijuana use and risky behaviors among justice-involved youth over 3 months.
First reported case of exercise-relieved CHS: a patient ran for 15 continuous hours, developing rhabdomyolysis, supporting the theory that blood flow redistribution explains symptom relief.
Chart review of 119 pediatric epilepsy patients found 71% discontinued cannabis extracts, with only 13% achieving greater than 50% seizure reduction and perceived benefit the sole predictor of continued use.
National survey found regular marijuana smoking associated with 34% higher odds of poor self-rated health even without tobacco, rising to nearly double with concurrent tobacco use.
Review finding the strongest evidence for cannabis in cancer care is for nausea and pain, with emerging evidence for appetite, sleep, and anxiety, plus preclinical anti-cancer effects.
Mouse study of Huntington's disease found a Sativex-like THC+CBD combination reduced dystonia and partially reversed metabolic brain changes, though motor coordination did not improve.
PET imaging study found severely cannabis-dependent individuals had markedly reduced striatal dopamine release (effect size 1.48), correlating with cognitive deficits and negative symptoms.
Controlled study found oral cannabis produced much lower blood THC levels than inhalation, with effects peaking at 1.5-3 hours and lasting 6-8 hours, complicating drug testing for edible users.
Head-to-head comparison found all classical CB1 blockers reduced weight but caused anxiety, while next-generation alternatives either caused convulsions or had no activity.
Survey of 7,488 African American students found 18.5% past-year marijuana use, with parent, teacher, and school protective factors significantly reducing risk.
16-year MTA study follow-up found ADHD did not increase psychosis risk (5% vs. 4%), but cannabis use was significantly associated with psychotic symptoms in both groups.
Review of cannabis legalization's unintended pediatric consequences, covering prenatal exposure, accidental childhood ingestion, adolescent use, and the need for rigorous CBD epilepsy trials.
Colorado data showed marijuana-related hospitalizations doubled, ER visits had 5x higher mental illness rates, and poison control calls surged after both medical and recreational legalization.
Review finding synthetic cannabinoids are more potent, more dangerous, and more psychiatrically harmful than natural cannabis, with rapid chemical evolution evading regulation.
Mouse study found a dual endocannabinoid-boosting compound reduced pain, enhanced morphine's effects at low doses, and decreased heroin-seeking behavior.
Rat study found that blocking CB1 receptors in the BNST (a brain stress region) prevented the aversive experience of opioid withdrawal, while boosting 2-AG in the same region did not.
Study of 43 hospitalized Colorado toddlers found 16% had detectable marijuana metabolites, with higher rates in non-white children and those exposed to tobacco smoke.
Four CHS patients who failed standard ER antiemetics improved significantly with haloperidol, suggesting dopamine-cannabinoid receptor interactions explain the treatment's effectiveness.
Review of 98 reported cases found cannabinoid-related strokes mainly affected young male chronic users, with reversible vasoconstriction as a proposed mechanism in 27% of cases.
Systematic review of 22 studies found strongest pediatric evidence for chemotherapy-induced nausea, increasing evidence for epilepsy, and insufficient evidence for other conditions.
Lab testing found consumer hemp seeds contained up to 1,250% more THC than Canada's legal limit, with potential for 3.8 mg THC exposure from a daily serving.
Taking cannabinoids with fats boosted CBD levels in the lymphatic system 250-fold above blood levels, reaching concentrations that suppressed immune cell activity, especially in MS patients.
In 777 methadone patients, cannabis use was linked to 82% higher odds of illicit opioid use in women but showed no association in men.
Brain imaging showed regular cannabis users had impaired ability to downregulate negative emotions, with disrupted amygdala-prefrontal cortex communication during regulation tasks.
Patients with psychosis who used cannabis heavily before illness had higher schizophrenia polygenic risk scores, with the largest effect in those who started before age 18.
Randomized trial of 16 adults with severe COPD found vaporized cannabis had no meaningful effect on breathlessness, exercise capacity, or lung function.
Three cannabinoid compounds reduced inflammatory markers IL-6 and MCP-1 in human periodontal cells, suggesting potential for cannabinoid-based gum disease treatments.
NASEM review of 10,000 abstracts found conclusive evidence for cannabis treating chronic pain, chemo nausea, and MS spasticity, with moderate evidence for sleep.
Psychotic patients with adolescent cannabis use showed less gray matter loss than those without, suggesting cannabis-associated psychosis may be a distinct subtype with less underlying brain pathology.
Zebrafish larvae metabolized THC and CBD similarly to mammals, with each producing distinct behavioral patterns and their combination altering both absorption and behavior.
Review finds strong public support but inconclusive clinical evidence for medicinal cannabis in palliative care, recommending clinical trials and careful off-label prescribing for refractory symptoms.
Adolescent synthetic cannabinoid exposure triggered schizophrenia-like dopamine changes in genetically susceptible rats but not in non-susceptible rats, modeling the human gene-environment interaction.
Early-onset cannabis users (before age 18) performed worse on a gambling task than late-onset users and non-users, with decision-making driven by short-term gains rather than loss avoidance.
Omega-3 derived endocannabinoid-like molecules selectively activated anti-inflammatory CB2 receptors without activating psychoactive CB1, connecting dietary fats to endocannabinoid signaling.
Review identifies multiple pathways through which cannabinoids can interact with common medications via shared liver enzymes and membrane transporters.