Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Review reveals that cannabis exposure during development can create lasting epigenetic changes - modifications to gene expression that persist across the lifespan and have been observed transmitting to the next generation.
Cochrane review of 8 trials found no clear differences between antipsychotics for dual diagnosis patients, though one small study suggested clozapine may reduce cannabis craving more than risperidone.
Adults who started cannabis earlier had slower reaction times at 28 due to reduced brain encoding activation, but the same pattern appeared after single use, suggesting pre-existing differences rather than drug-caused damage.
Prospective brain imaging found that neurocognitive differences attributed to early cannabis use actually existed at age 12, before any cannabis use began, supporting a pre-existing risk model.
New mouse behavioral tests showed THC withdrawal includes mood and stress-related symptoms beyond physical signs, with boosting endocannabinoid levels partially reversing withdrawal effects.
Pilot trial found nabiximols was safe and well-tolerated in cannabis-dependent patients, with 70.5% cannabis use reduction (vs 42.6% placebo) and reduced craving, though differences were not statistically significant.
Systematic review found only three trials on marijuana and athletic performance, with low-quality evidence for both potential benefits (bronchodilation) and harms (decreased work capacity).
Review reveals the GI tract has a fully functional endocannabinoid system controlling motility, sensation, and barrier function, with therapeutic potential for IBS, IBD, and colorectal cancer.
Pilot study found schizophrenia patients accepted low-THC cannabis variants but preferred their usual high-potency product, supporting the feasibility but highlighting challenges of cannabis substitution.
Among 500 young smokers, marijuana users were equally motivated to quit tobacco but 44% less likely to succeed, suggesting co-use creates a specific barrier that cessation programs need to address.
Systematic review of 10 studies found medical cannabis laws associated with decreased opioid use, fewer opioid hospitalizations, lower overdose deaths, and reduced healthcare costs.
Marijuana-related ER visits by teens at a Colorado children's hospital nearly tripled after legalization (1.8 to 4.9 per 1,000 visits), with most involving psychiatric diagnoses, despite surveys showing no increase in use.
Review found no evidence cannabis enhances athletic performance, limited evidence of serious harms in athletes, and promising but unconfirmed potential for pain management and concussion symptom relief.
Among 1,790 psychosis patients, daily cannabis use was linked to suicide attempts only until depression, loneliness, and homelessness were accounted for, suggesting these factors drive the apparent association.
Systematic review of 10 trials found dronabinol, nabilone, and nabiximols all show promise for treating cannabis withdrawal, with good safety profiles and potential dose-dependent effects.
Pilot fMRI found schizophrenia patients had abnormal brain network connectivity that actually normalized after cannabinoid administration, correlating with improved working memory performance.
Review examines the growing challenge of accommodating medical marijuana in long-term care, where 30-state legalization collides with federal prohibition and complex regulatory requirements.
Comprehensive ED guide covers cannabinoid pathophysiology, differences between natural and synthetic products, and emerging treatments for cannabinoid hyperemesis including haloperidol and capsaicin.
46% of hospitalized children of smoking parents in Colorado had marijuana metabolites in their urine, with 11% having detectable THC itself. Home marijuana use by parents was the strongest predictor.
Neuroimaging meta-analysis found cannabis users consistently show decreased activation in cognitive control regions (ACC, DLPFC) and increased activation in reward regions (striatum).
Brain imaging found altered emotional processing circuits in marijuana users that persisted after 28+ days of abstinence, specifically during negative emotions, potentially explaining vulnerability to relapse.
Among 145 cannabis users, those perceiving more barriers to quitting had more use problems, worse withdrawal symptoms, and lower confidence in their ability to quit.
Brazilian national survey found cannabis users had three times the rate of suicidal ideation (31.5% vs 9.9%) and suicide attempts (16.5% vs 5.4%), persisting after controlling for depression.
Rats given escalating THC during adolescence showed learning delays and sensorimotor gating impairments as adults, but both deficits appeared to diminish over time, suggesting partial neural recovery.
Oncologist argues cancer doctors should recommend cannabis for its ability to simultaneously address pain, nausea, appetite, mood, and sleep - a rare multi-symptom intervention in palliative care.
Review found cannabis legalization has made some progress on convictions and arrests but very little on industry diversity and equity programs for communities most harmed by prohibition.
Among 319 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, cannabis dependence was associated with nearly 8-fold increased odds of post-deployment suicide attempts, independent of PTSD, depression, and other substance use.
A review of cannabis evidence for autism found only five small studies and mixed results for all conditions except epilepsy, highlighting a major gap between anecdotal reports and scientific evidence.
Lab study found cannabis smoke triggered DNA damage, impaired immune defenses, and caused inflammatory responses in human airway cells strikingly similar to tobacco smoke.
In a mouse MS model, THC plus CBD together (but not alone) reduced paralysis and brain inflammation by suppressing inflammatory immune cells and altering microRNA gene regulation.
THC+CBD reduced MS-like symptoms in mice partly by reshaping gut bacteria, as confirmed by fecal transplant experiments showing the microbiome changes were causally involved in the therapeutic effect.
A cannabinoid-free hemp variety from Benin Republic improved sperm quality in rats by reducing prolactin and boosting antioxidant activity, contrasting with the fertility-harming effects of THC-containing cannabis.
CBD helped zebra finches recover their learned songs faster after targeted brain lesions, with higher doses reducing both the severity and duration of vocal impairment.
Hair analysis found cannabis hyperemesis patients had similar THC levels as recreational users without symptoms, suggesting the condition is idiosyncratic rather than purely dose-dependent.
Three randomized controlled trials showed CBD reduced seizures by 38-41% in severe childhood epilepsies, performing comparably to established anti-epileptic drugs with manageable side effects.
A review of synthetic cannabinoid toxicities documented severe effects across multiple organ systems including cardiac arrest, psychosis, seizures, and kidney failure, plus deaths from contaminated products.
A study of 5,452 cannabinoid prescription users in Manitoba found only 18% continued use at one year, with median duration of 31 days varying by diagnosis and medication type.
In a year-long study of 545 at-risk military personnel, marijuana use combined with high PTSD symptoms predicted worsening PTSD and increased suicidal behavior, an interaction not seen with alcohol or opioids.
Beta-caryophyllene, a non-psychoactive cannabis compound, prevented and reduced HIV drug-induced nerve pain in mice by activating CB2 receptors and reducing inflammatory cytokines.
Despite strong evidence that cannabinoids improve colitis in animal models, clinical trials in human IBD have not shown meaningful benefit, with THC tolerance limiting the largest study.
CBD and clobazam work better together through two mechanisms: CBD raises clobazam blood levels AND both drugs together directly enhance GABA receptor inhibition, providing genuine therapeutic synergy.
Adolescents in the ED after synthetic cannabinoid use had 3.4x higher odds of coma and 3.9x higher odds of seizures than those using traditional cannabis, showing a distinct and more dangerous toxicity profile.
Cancer patients in Minnesota's medical cannabis program reported significant improvement across all 8 tracked symptoms, with 27-50% achieving lasting clinically meaningful reductions and only 10.5% reporting side effects.
A case of cardiac tamponade in a synthetic cannabinoid user adds to the evidence of serious cardiovascular toxicity from these substances, which can cause a wide range of heart complications.
In 60 children with autism and severe behavioral problems, CBD-rich cannabis improved behavioral outbreaks in 61% with mostly mild side effects, supporting feasibility of controlled trials.
A review found the endocannabinoid system may contribute to bipolar disorder pathophysiology, with CB2 receptor activation emerging as a potential mood-stabilizing target, though evidence remains limited.
A controlled trial found cannabis with equal CBD and THC impaired driving and cognition as much as THC-only cannabis, with CBD actually worsening some cognitive tasks, possibly by increasing THC blood levels.
In a survey of 484 women with endometriosis, cannabis was rated the most effective self-management strategy for pain (7.6/10), ahead of heat, CBD oil, and dietary changes.
Six synthetic cannabinoid users developed multiple organ failure including severe muscle breakdown, kidney failure, and the first reported case of SC-associated liver failure requiring transplantation.
Among 230 schizophrenia patients in Pakistan, ongoing cannabis use was linked to treatment resistance even after excluding non-adherent patients, with over 60% of the cohort being treatment-resistant.