What Could Cannabinoids Do for Cancer Patients Beyond Nausea Relief? ↗
Review of cannabinoid applications in oncology: proven for chemotherapy nausea and appetite loss, with potential for pain, antitumor effects, mood, and sleep in cancer patients.
Research library — page 4
Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Cannabis Extracts Worked Better Than Pure THC for MS and Epilepsy in Lab Tests ↗
Preclinical study showing whole cannabis extracts produced faster spasticity relief and more potent anticonvulsant effects than pure THC, with THC-free extracts also showing anticonvulsant activity.
The Landmark CAMS Trial: 667 MS Patients Test Cannabis for Spasticity ↗
Landmark trial of 667 MS patients found cannabis did not improve clinician-rated spasticity but showed significant patient-reported improvements in spasticity (p=0.003) and pain.
Why People Who Use Cannabis Often Use Other Drugs: Genetics Says It's Not Just a Gateway ↗
Twin study of 2,125 pairs finding cannabis-other drug comorbidity is best explained by shared genetic and environmental risk factors rather than gateway causation.
Cyclic Vomiting and Hot Showers in Heavy Cannabis Users. An Early Signal ↗
Early case series: vomiting stopped in most after stopping cannabis and returned on rechallenge, with hot bathing reported by nearly all.
"You Can't Go Without a Fag, You Need It for Your Hash": How Cannabis and Tobacco Intertwine for Teens ↗
Qualitative study finding Scottish teenagers' cannabis and tobacco smoking were "inextricably linked," with cannabis use serving as a gateway to cigarettes and a barrier to quitting tobacco.
Cannabis Sprays Reduced Nerve Pain from Brachial Plexus Injury ↗
Randomized trial in 48 patients finding cannabis sprays produced statistically significant neuropathic pain and sleep improvements, though below the predefined clinical significance threshold.
Cannabis Extracts Helped Bladder Problems in Advanced MS Patients ↗
Open-label pilot finding cannabis extracts significantly improved bladder urgency, incontinence, frequency, and nocturia in 15 MS patients with treatment-resistant symptoms.
Yes, Cannabis Withdrawal Is Real. This 2004 Review Mapped What It Looks Like. ↗
A 2004 psychiatry review concluded that stopping heavy cannabis or THC use brings a reproducible withdrawal syndrome and proposed diagnostic criteria.
Medical Marijuana for Brain Disorders: A Rehabilitation Medicine Perspective ↗
Review from rehabilitation medicine documenting seven therapeutic properties of cannabinoids applicable to neurological disorders: antioxidation, neuroprotection, analgesia, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, glial modulation, and tumor regulation.
How Many MS Patients in Nova Scotia Use Cannabis? A Survey of 220 ↗
Survey of 220 MS patients finding 14% currently using cannabis for symptoms, with stress, sleep, mood, spasticity, and pain reported as most effectively relieved.
The Case For and Against Cannabis Treatment in MS: Where Did the Evidence Stand in 2004? ↗
Review noting strong animal and patient-report evidence for cannabinoids in MS but acknowledging that objective clinical evidence remained lacking across 10 published reports with 78 patients.
Mental Health Problems in Ecstasy Users: Was It Actually the Cannabis? ↗
Combined cross-sectional and longitudinal study finding that psychiatric symptoms in ecstasy users were predominantly attributable to cannabis use, not ecstasy, with cessation of cannabis but not ecstasy predicting symptom remission.
Designing Drugs to Target the Brain's Endocannabinoid Breakdown Enzymes ↗
Pharmacological study identifying compounds that inhibit endocannabinoid breakdown enzymes without activating CB1 receptors, enabling potential non-psychoactive cannabinoid-based therapies.
A Complete Guide to How Cannabinoids Work as Medicine ↗
Pharmacology review mapping CB1 and CB2 receptor distribution and cataloging 13 therapeutic properties of cannabinoids including analgesia, neuroprotection, and antitumor effects.
Can Oral THC Pills Ease Marijuana Withdrawal? A Controlled Study Says Yes ↗
Controlled study showing oral THC relieved marijuana withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, insomnia, craving, appetite loss) without intoxication, while divalproex worsened mood and cognition.
Could the Body's Cannabis System Protect the Heart? ↗
Comprehensive review finding endocannabinoids play protective roles during cardiovascular emergencies like shock and heart attack, acting through CB1, vanilloid, and possibly novel receptors.
Brain Scans Show Cannabis Users Work Harder to Remember: An fMRI Study ↗
fMRI study showing heavy cannabis users activated more brain regions and recruited additional areas not normally used for spatial memory, suggesting neural compensation for subtle deficits.
Do Cannabinoids Actually Work for MS? A Skeptical Assessment of 2004 Evidence ↗
Critical review noting that despite exciting receptor research, only 10 clinical reports with 78 MS patients existed, and better-designed studies failed to show objective spasticity improvement.
Cannabis Dependence and Suicide Risk: What Twin Studies Reveal About Shared Genetics ↗
Twin study finding cannabis dependence linked to 2.5-2.9x higher suicide risk even after controlling for shared genetics, while the depression link was explained by shared genetic vulnerability.
How THC and CBD Affect Sleep: A Controlled Study with Brain Wave Monitoring ↗
Sleep study finding 15 mg THC was sedating while 15 mg CBD had alerting properties and counteracted THC sedation, with EEG showing CBD increased wakefulness during sleep.
Cannabis Sprays for Chronic Pain: Lessons from 34 Individual Patient Trials ↗
34 individual patient trials of sublingual cannabis extracts for chronic pain found THC-containing formulations most effective, with wide dosing needs and acceptable side effects.
What Happens to Cannabis Receptors in the Brain During Withdrawal ↗
Mouse study showing cannabinoid withdrawal produced region-specific CB1 receptor changes: upregulation in motor and emotional areas but downregulation in hippocampus, with behavioral symptoms peaking day 1 and resolving by day 3.
Teen Cannabis Exposure Changed How the Brain's Reward System Responded to Other Drugs ↗
Adolescent but not adult cannabinoid exposure in rats produced lasting cross-tolerance to morphine, cocaine, and amphetamine in dopamine reward neurons, suggesting unique adolescent brain vulnerability.
Marijuana Smoke Weakened Lung Immune Cells' Ability to Kill Bacteria ↗
Study finding marijuana smoke impaired lung macrophage bacterial killing through nitric oxide suppression, unlike tobacco smoke, though the impairment was reversible with immune stimulation.
The Theory That Named What Patients Already Knew: Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency ↗
The hypothesis that migraine, fibromyalgia, and IBS share underlying endocannabinoid deficiency. Now supported by CSF studies (reduced anandamide, p < 0.0001), platelet data, neuroimaging, and genetics — but still awaiting definitive clinical trials.
Brain Scans of Young Adults Exposed to Cannabis Before Birth Show Lasting Changes ↗
fMRI study showing young adults prenatally exposed to marijuana had increased brain activation during impulse control tasks and more errors, with effects persisting after controlling for current drug use.
Cannabis Extracts for MS Spasticity: What the Latest Trials Showed in 2004 ↗
Critical review distinguishing between oral THC (failed to reduce spasticity objectively) and sublingual THC:CBD (showed more promise) for MS treatment.
What Predicts Whether Teen Cannabis Users Will Quit Within 5 Years? ↗
5-year follow-up finding 42% of teen marijuana users quit, with heavier use, male gender, being unmarried, and friends' use predicting continued consumption.
Nearly Half of First-Episode Psychosis Patients Had Substance Use Problems, Mostly Cannabis ↗
Study of 357 first-episode psychosis patients found 44% met criteria for substance abuse/dependence, primarily involving cannabis and alcohol, with higher rates in younger males.
Cannabis Extract Capsules Reduced Spasticity in MS Patients Who Took Enough of the Medication ↗
Crossover trial of 57 MS patients found cannabis extract capsules significantly reduced spasm frequency and improved mobility in the 37 patients who took at least 90% of their dose.
Male Cannabis Users Developed Schizophrenia Nearly 7 Years Earlier Than Male Non-Users ↗
Population-based study of 133 schizophrenia patients found male cannabis users developed their first psychotic episode 6.9 years earlier than male non-users.
Sativex Spray Significantly Reduced MS Spasticity But Not Other Symptoms in 160-Patient Trial ↗
Trial of 160 MS patients found Sativex spray significantly reduced spasticity (P = 0.001) but the primary composite symptom measure did not reach significance.
Very Heavy Cannabis Users Still Showed Decision-Making Deficits and Brain Changes After 25 Days Abstinent ↗
PET imaging study found heavy marijuana users (53-84 joints/week) still had brain activity changes and decision-making deficits after 25 days abstinent, while moderate users performed like non-users.
Review of 15 Clinical Trials Found Cannabinoids Most Promising for Spasticity, Tics, and Nerve Pain ↗
Review of 15 randomized clinical trials found the strongest evidence for cannabinoids treating MS spasticity, Tourette's tics, and neuropathic pain, while trials for cachexia and Parkinson's were negative.
Review of How Cannabinoids Interact With the Immune System and Their Potential for Treating Inflammation ↗
Review of how cannabinoids interact with immune cells, showing they can modulate cytokine secretion and immune function with potential applications for inflammatory disease treatment.
People Who Underreported Marijuana Use Also Underreported Tobacco Use in Drug Surveys ↗
Study of 627 respondents found that people who underreported marijuana use also underreported tobacco use, with self-report accuracy falling below previously established thresholds.
Comprehensive Review of Cannabis Tolerance and Dependence in Laboratory Animals ↗
Review of animal studies found cannabinoid tolerance develops through receptor down-regulation, withdrawal symptoms are generally milder than with other drugs, and tolerant animals showed no increased vulnerability to morphine.
Review of How the Endocannabinoid System Works and Its Potential for New Treatments ↗
Review of the endocannabinoid signaling system describes how it maintains physiological balance and identifies therapeutic potential for pain, epilepsy, spasticity, eating disorders, and inflammation.
Comprehensive Review of Cannabinoid Pharmacology, Receptor Systems, and Therapeutic Applications ↗
Comprehensive review of 15 years of cannabinoid research catalogs receptor distribution across the body and identifies therapeutic potential for pain, neurological disorders, obesity, and addiction.
Brain Scans Show Chronic Cannabis Smokers Use Different Brain Pathways During Impulse Control Tasks ↗
fMRI pilot study found chronic cannabis smokers used different, more diffuse brain activation patterns during an impulse control task, despite performing within normal limits.
Lancet Review Examines Three Cannabis-Cancer Links: Causing, Fighting, and Treating Cancer Symptoms ↗
Lancet Oncology review examined cannabis-cancer relationships across three dimensions: inconsistent evidence for causing cancer, mixed lab results for fighting cancer, and positive evidence for managing cancer symptoms.
THC Was the Primary Active Ingredient in Marijuana While CBC and CBD Concentrations Made No Difference ↗
Controlled study of 23 marijuana users found varying CBC and CBD concentrations did not change the effects of smoked marijuana, confirming THC as the primary active ingredient.
How the Body's Endocannabinoid System Drives Appetite, Food Motivation, and Weight Regulation ↗
Review shows endocannabinoids stimulate appetite by making food more attractive and more pleasurable, acting through CB1 receptors in the nucleus accumbens and hypothalamus.
Cocaine-Dependent People Who Also Used Cannabis Showed Reduced Brain Stress Responses ↗
fMRI study found cocaine-dependent individuals who also used cannabis showed decreased frontal cortex activation during emotional stress, even after 15+ days of abstinence.
Finnish Perspective on Drug-Impaired Driving Finds Cannabis Among Top Substances Detected ↗
European review found illicit drug prevalence of 1-5% among drivers, with cannabis among the top substances of concern. Discussed evolving detection technologies and zero-tolerance versus impairment-based legal approaches.
Cannabis Impairs Attention and Memory While Stimulants Affect Speed and Flexibility ↗
Comparative review found cannabis primarily impairs attention and memory, stimulants affect processing speed and flexibility, and heroin impacts impulse control, with severity increasing with heavier use.
How Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids May Help Treat Multiple Sclerosis Through Immune Modulation ↗
Review shows cannabinoids may benefit MS by shifting immune responses from harmful Th1 to protective Th2 patterns and providing neuroprotection, with animal model support for endocannabinoid-based therapies.
CBD Partially Blocks THC Metabolism in the Liver, With Women Showing Higher THC Blood Levels Than Men ↗
Double-blind crossover study of 24 volunteers found CBD partially inhibits THC liver metabolism, though the effect was small relative to natural variation, and women achieved significantly higher THC blood levels than men.
Secondhand Cannabis Smoke Only Causes Positive Oral Fluid Tests When Samples Are Collected in Smoky Environment ↗
Two studies in an unventilated van found passive cannabis smoke exposure only caused positive oral fluid tests when samples were collected in the smoky environment. Samples collected outside were all negative.