CBD Oil Reduced Behavioral Symptoms in a 9-Year-Old with Nonverbal Autism ↗
A 9-year-old with nonverbal autism showed reduced violent outbursts, better sleep, and improved social interactions after starting full-spectrum CBD oil with low-dose THC.
Research library — page 65
Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
A Clinical Framework for Assessing Cannabis Impairment Risk in Patients ↗
Researchers created a practical clinical framework for assessing cannabis-related impairment risk in patients, designed especially for those with safety-sensitive work duties.
Medicinal Cannabis for Sleep Disorders: Where Does the Evidence Actually Stand? ↗
Despite widespread use, clinical evidence doesn't yet support cannabis as a reliable treatment for insomnia, sleep apnea, or other specific sleep disorders — but early results are promising.
School Discipline Style Did Not Directly Affect Student Cannabis Use in Canada ↗
Study of 68,037 Canadian students found school disciplinary approaches to cannabis did not directly affect use, but supportive schools fostered perceptions that were linked to lower cannabis use.
One in Four Canadians Surveyed Had Used Cannabis Topically ↗
Canadian survey found nearly one in four respondents used cannabis topically, most commonly for joint stiffness, headaches, and skin conditions, with dispensaries as the primary information source.
Topical CBD for Skin Conditions: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-itch, and Wound Healing Effects ↗
Review found topical CBD has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, wound healing, and anti-proliferative effects on skin through cannabinoid receptors, positioning it as a potential corticosteroid alternative.
Fourth-Generation Synthetic Cannabinoids Are More Potent and Toxic Than Ever ↗
At least 20 new fourth-generation synthetic cannabinoids emerged between 2017-2021 with higher receptor potency and increased adverse reactions including psychosis, self-harm, and deaths.
Medical Cannabis in Pediatric Cancer: Safety Evidence for Nausea, Emerging Anti-Cancer Potential ↗
Review found published cases supporting cannabis safety for chemotherapy nausea in children and preclinical evidence of anti-cancer effects on pediatric tumors, but called for more research.
Non-Right-Handedness in Schizophrenia Linked to Cannabis Use Disorder ↗
Study of 667 schizophrenia patients found very high non-right-handedness (42.4%), which was associated with cannabis use disorder and learning disabilities, suggesting shared neurodevelopmental origins.
Three Young Men with ADHD Report Improvements After Adding Cannabis to Treatment ↗
Three young men with ADHD showed measurable improvements in depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, and inattention after adding cannabis, with plasma levels confirming cannabinoid presence.
What Keeps South African Teens from Using Cannabis in Communities Where It Grows ↗
In South African cannabis-growing communities, non-using teens cited academic focus, religious beliefs, family dignity, and fear of legal consequences as reasons for abstaining from cannabis.
CBD Oil Achieved Seizure Freedom in 19% of Treatment-Resistant Epilepsy Patients ↗
Standardized CBD oil reduced seizures by 50%+ in 73% of treatment-resistant epilepsy patients and achieved seizure freedom in 19% over 40 months, with few side effects.
Cannabis Impaired Simulated Driving for Hours, but Users Felt Ready to Drive Too Soon ↗
RCT of 191 regular cannabis users found simulated driving impairment lasted up to 3.5 hours, but 69% felt ready to drive at 1.5 hours. THC content and use history did not predict impairment level.
Adolescent Mice That Self-Administered Synthetic Cannabinoid Developed Lasting Brain Changes ↗
First study showing adolescent mice voluntarily self-administered synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018, leading to lasting compulsive behaviors and brain neuroinflammation in adulthood.
A Digital Therapy App More Than Doubled Abstinence Rates for Substance Use Disorders ↗
A digital therapeutic app delivering behavioral therapy and contingency management more than doubled 12-week abstinence rates for alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and stimulant use disorders compared to treatment-as-usual.
Nabiximols Did Not Reduce Spasticity After Stroke but Appeared Safe for Heart Patients ↗
Double-blind RCT found nabiximols did not reduce spasticity after stroke compared to placebo, but demonstrated cardiovascular safety in this high-risk population, encouraging further research.
Antipsychotic Medications for People with Both Psychosis and Substance Use Disorders ↗
Review of 41 studies found cannabis was the most commonly abused substance in dual diagnosis patients with psychosis, and aripiprazole was the most studied second-generation antipsychotic treatment.
Cannabis-Based Products for Inflammatory Skin Diseases Show Promise but Need Trials ↗
Review found topical cannabinoid products show promise for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis based on skin endocannabinoid system biology, but large clinical trials are still needed.
Cannabis Dependence Rose Across South America While Treatment Remained Scarce ↗
Cannabis dependence roughly doubled or tripled across Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay from 2006-2018, while fewer than 16% of dependent individuals accessed treatment in any country.
CBD for Epilepsy: What the Clinical Trial Evidence Shows for Epidiolex ↗
Epidiolex (pharmaceutical CBD) is the only cannabis-derived drug with FDA and EMA approval for epilepsy, specifically proven for Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex.
Oral Cannabinoids Appeared Safe in People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy ↗
Pilot trial of oral cannabinoids in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy found them generally safe with stable CD4 counts and viral suppression, supporting larger studies.
CBD Up to 1,500 mg Did Not Impair Driving or Cognitive Function in a Crossover Trial ↗
Crossover RCT found oral CBD up to 1,500 mg did not impair simulated driving or cognition compared to placebo, though high-dose CBD persisted in blood for over 4 weeks.
Blood and Saliva THC Levels Are Poor Indicators of Driving Impairment ↗
Meta-analysis of 28 studies found blood and saliva THC levels are poor predictors of driving impairment, with negligible to weak correlations that disappear entirely in regular cannabis users.
CBD Does Not Cause False-Positive THC Results on Roadside Drug Tests ↗
In 515 roadside drug tests after oral CBD up to 1,500 mg, zero false-positive THC results were observed, confirming pure CBD does not trigger standard cannabis drug tests.
Cannabis Terpene Myrcene Reduced Arthritis Pain and Inflammation in Rats ↗
Cannabis terpene myrcene reduced chronic arthritis pain and inflammation in rats through cannabinoid receptors, but did not synergize with CBD, challenging "entourage effect" assumptions.
How People in Opioid Recovery Use Cannabis: Insights from Reddit Forums ↗
Analysis of Reddit forums found people in opioid recovery use cannabis primarily for withdrawal management, while active opioid users use it to enhance the high, revealing two distinct patterns.
How Cannabis Affects Hormones: Thyroid, Adrenal, Reproductive, and Metabolic Effects ↗
Review found cannabis affects nearly every endocrine system: reduced fertility, altered thyroid function, blunted stress response, paradoxical diabetes effects, and modestly increased fracture risk.
Long-Term Cannabis Users Lost 5.5 IQ Points and Had Smaller Hippocampi by Midlife ↗
A 45-year cohort study found long-term cannabis users lost 5.5 IQ points from childhood, had poorer learning and processing speed, and smaller hippocampi by midlife, specific to cannabis over other substances.
Cannabis Use Worsened PTSD Symptoms in Veterans, and PTSD Predicted Cannabis Disorder ↗
Longitudinal study of 361 veterans found cannabis use predicted worsening PTSD intrusion symptoms at 6 months, while PTSD predicted cannabis use disorder at 12 months, suggesting a harmful cycle.
Cannabis Use Did Not Interfere with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia ↗
In young adult binge drinkers with insomnia, cannabis use during CBT-I treatment did not reduce therapy effectiveness, with virtually zero moderation effect on outcomes.
Occasional Cannabis Users Had the Worst Driving Impairment During Distraction Tasks ↗
Driving study found occasional cannabis users had 3.7x higher lane departure risk during distracted driving after smoking, while daily users compensated by driving slower.
One in Three Australians Using Cannabis Medically Met Criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder ↗
Survey of 905 Australian medical cannabis users found 32% met criteria for cannabis use disorder, with inhaled use, mental health indications, and frequent use as key risk factors.
Counseling Plus Nabiximols Worked Best for Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment ↗
Analysis of a CUD treatment trial found counseling attendance was the strongest predictor of abstinence, while nabiximols reduced dropout and improved engagement, supporting combined treatment.
CBD for Endometriosis: Preclinical Promise but Not Enough Evidence to Recommend ↗
Systematic review found mostly lab-based evidence for cannabis in endometriosis with conflicting results. Few human studies exist, and UK guidance currently cannot recommend cannabis for this condition.
Cannabis Clinical Trials Have Tripled Since 2013, Reaching 834 Registered Studies ↗
Review of 834 cannabis clinical trials found registrations tripled since 2013, with chronic pain and mental health as the most studied areas and growing pharmaceutical industry involvement.
Cannabis May Affect Depression Risk Through Epigenetic Changes to Depression Genes ↗
Cross-referencing cannabis methylation studies with depression genetics found multiple depression-associated genes are epigenetically regulated by cannabis, suggesting a molecular mechanism for the cannabis-depression link.
Nearly Half of Psychosis Patients in South Africa Used Cannabis ↗
Review of 370 South African psychiatric inpatient records found nearly half (48.9%) used cannabis, with use strongly linked to male sex, alcohol co-use, and more frequent hospital readmissions.
Treating Cannabis Dependence Improved Depression, Sleep, and Pain Even Without Full Abstinence ↗
In a cannabis dependence trial, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and pain all improved over 12 weeks regardless of medication type, and even without complete abstinence from cannabis.
Half of Low-THC Cannabis Products in Switzerland Were Laced with Synthetic Cannabinoids ↗
Swiss drug checking found half of low-THC cannabis samples were laced with synthetic cannabinoids, with users experiencing significantly more psychological and cardiac adverse effects.
Children Exposed to Cannabis in the Womb Had More Body Fat and Higher Blood Sugar by Age 5 ↗
Children exposed to cannabis in utero had 1 kg more fat mass, 2.6% higher body fat, and 5.6 mg/dL higher blood sugar by age 5 compared to unexposed children.
States with More Liberal Cannabis Laws Had More Psychosis Hospitalizations ↗
National data found 129,070 psychosis-cannabis hospitalizations in 2017, with the Pacific division (mostly legal states) having 55% higher odds and a significant correlation between legality and hospitalization rates.
Critical Review Confirms CBD Works for Refractory Epilepsy in Children ↗
Critical review of 69 articles confirmed CBD is effective for Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet, and tuberous sclerosis complex seizures in children, with a good safety profile despite frequent mild side effects.
Cannabis Companies Routinely Violate Social Media Marketing Restrictions ↗
Analysis of 2,660 social media posts from cannabis companies found 35% contained prohibited promotions and fewer than half included required safety warnings, with youth-appealing content common.
Cannabis May Drive Violence in Early Psychosis Through Impulsivity ↗
Review found cannabis is a risk factor for violence in early-phase psychosis, with impulsivity as a potential mediating mechanism linked to cannabis effects on frontal brain regions.
An Endocannabinoid-Boosting Drug Reduced Tics in Tourette Syndrome ↗
Phase 1 crossover trial found a single dose of an endocannabinoid-boosting drug (MAGL inhibitor) significantly reduced tics and premonitory urges in 20 adults with Tourette syndrome.
Cannabis Did Not Reduce Opioid Use or Real-Time Pain in Chronic Pain Patients ↗
Real-time monitoring of 46 chronic pain patients found no pain reduction or opioid-sparing effect from cannabis co-use, though retrospective reports suggested greater perceived relief, highlighting recall bias.
Adolescents Were More Cognitively Impaired by THC Than Adults at the Same Doses ↗
RCT found adolescents (18-20) showed cognitive impairments and brain wave changes from THC that adults (30-40) did not, despite both groups feeling equally intoxicated.
Synthetic Cannabinoid JWH-018 Damaged Sperm in Rats, but Recovery Occurred by 45 Days ↗
Synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 caused significant sperm damage and reduced testosterone in rats within days, but spermatogenesis showed partial recovery 45 days after stopping.
Cannabis Hyperemesis ER Visits Rose 13-Fold in Ontario, Driven by Commercialization ↗
CHS emergency visits rose 13-fold in Ontario over 7.5 years, with legalization having no immediate effect but cannabis commercialization (more stores, products) associated with a 49% jump.
Adolescents with Cannabis Hyperemesis Also Developed Dangerously Low Phosphorus ↗
Three adolescents with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome developed recurrent dangerously low phosphorus levels, highlighting the need for close electrolyte monitoring in young CHS patients.