CBD Reduced Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms and Normalized Brain Chemistry in Mice ↗
CBD reduced anxiety, agitation, and physical withdrawal symptoms in heroin-dependent mice while normalizing gene expression changes in brain reward regions.
Research library — page 66
Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Web-Based School Program Reduced Adolescent Drinking but Not Cannabis Use ↗
A web-based school prevention program reduced alcohol uptake by 38-51% in over 6,000 Australian students but did not significantly affect cannabis use at 12-month follow-up.
86% of Kenyan Methadone Patients Tested Positive for Cannabis at Baseline ↗
Among 874 methadone patients in Nairobi, 85.8% tested positive for cannabis at baseline and 62.7% during follow-up, with widespread polysubstance use.
Cutting Back on Tobacco Was Linked to Cutting Back on Cannabis Too ↗
In a smoking cessation program, reductions in cigarette, e-cigarette, and cigar use were all associated with reductions in cannabis use over 3 months.
Secondhand Cannabis Bong Smoke Produced Significant Fine Particulate Matter in a Home Setting ↗
Study measured fine particulate matter from secondhand cannabis bong smoke in a home, showing bystanders face meaningful PM2.5 exposure during social smoking sessions.
CBD May Reduce Early Nerve Damage Symptoms from Chemotherapy ↗
Cancer patients taking 300 mg/day CBD showed reduced early peripheral neuropathy symptoms during chemotherapy, with particular benefit seen in vibrometry scores and cold sensitivity.
17% of Danish Cancer Patients Reported Peripheral Neuropathy, Higher in Cannabis Users ↗
Survey of 2,839 Danish cancer patients found 17% had significant neuropathy. Cannabis users were nearly twice as likely to report high symptom burden, though directionality is unclear.
Cannabinoids Showed Opioid-Sparing Potential in Animal Studies but Not in Human Trials ↗
Meta-analysis found cannabinoids reduced effective morphine dose 3.5x in animals but human RCTs showed no opioid-sparing effect. Observational studies were more positive, highlighting a research-design gap.
Anti-Nausea Medications for Cannabis Hyperemesis Did Not Cause Dangerous Heart Rhythm Changes ↗
Review of 282 CHS emergency cases found anti-emetic medications did not significantly prolong QTc. Only low potassium (below 3.0) predicted dangerous QT prolongation.
Cannabis for Rheumatic Disease Pain: Growing Interest, Limited Clinical Evidence ↗
Review found growing interest in cannabis for rheumatic disease pain but noted the literature skews toward reviews over original research, with very few randomized trials completed.
Long-Term Cannabis Oil Therapy Was Linked to Fewer Patients Using Opioids for Chronic Pain ↗
Italian pain clinic data showed opioid non-users rose from 32% to 55% after long-term cannabis oil therapy. No changes seen in other pain medication classes.
Use of Diverted Medical Cannabis Tripled Among Massachusetts Youth After Legalization ↗
Among cannabis-using Massachusetts youth, use of diverted medical cannabis rose from 15% to 44% between 2013 and 2016, with higher rates of cannabis-impaired driving among diverted users.
Recreational Drugs Including Marijuana Are Driving Early-Onset Heart Disease ↗
Review found that cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, and marijuana all contribute to premature cardiovascular disease in young and middle-aged adults, representing a growing public health problem.
Most Pediatric Oncologists See a Role for Cannabis in Children's Cancer Symptom Management ↗
Survey of 122 Canadian pediatric oncologists found 86% saw cannabis potential for nausea, 72% for pain, and 67% for appetite in children with cancer. Nearly all wanted more research.
RCTs on Cannabinoids for Movement Disorders Show Mixed Results Across Conditions ↗
Systematic review of RCTs found cannabinoids improved Tourette tics and some Parkinson's symptoms but showed no benefit for dystonia. Evidence is limited by small, heterogeneous trials.
84% of New Zealand Oncology Doctors Had Patients Ask to Prescribe Cannabis ↗
Survey of 45 NZ oncology doctors found 84% had patients request cannabis prescriptions. 98% knew of patients using illicit cannabis. All were willing to prescribe properly developed products.
Both Alcohol and Cannabis Impaired Vision, but Only Higher Alcohol Doses Worsened Driving ↗
Experimental study found both alcohol and cannabis impaired visual function, but only the higher alcohol dose (450 ml wine) significantly worsened driving simulator performance.
One Marijuana Joint Produced 4.4 Times More Fine Particles Than a Tobacco Cigarette Indoors ↗
Controlled experiments found one marijuana joint produced 4.4 times more fine particulate matter than a tobacco cigarette in a home, with smoke detectable in all 9 rooms.
Bayesian Modeling Suggests Adolescent Cannabis Use Causes Faster Brain Cortex Thinning ↗
Causal modeling of 637 IMAGEN study adolescents found a directional relationship from cannabis use to accelerated prefrontal cortical thinning, consistent with cannabis affecting brain development.
43-53% of Pregnant Women with Opioid or Alcohol Problems Also Used Marijuana ↗
Among 251 pregnant women with opioid or alcohol problems, 43-53% also used marijuana. Younger age and polysubstance use were the strongest predictors of co-use.
CBD-Melatonin Compound Improved Sleep, Anxiety, and Pain in Small Pilot Study ↗
Small pilot study of 20 patients found a CBD-melatonin sublingual compound improved sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and decreased pain over 3 months, but lacked a control group.
Cannabis Can Trigger Heart Attacks, Arrhythmias, and Rare Cardiovascular Events ↗
Cardiology review found cannabis can trigger heart attacks, arrhythmias, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and arteritis in young healthy individuals. Complete abstinence is the recommended treatment.
California Marijuana Legalization Linked to Increased Adolescent Alcohol-Cannabis Co-Use ↗
Analysis of 3.3 million California students found marijuana legalization increased alcohol-cannabis co-use by 6% overall and 58% among past-month drinkers.
Genetic Predisposition to Cannabis Use Was Linked to Higher Cognitive Scores in Children ↗
Among 3,205 substance-naive children, higher genetic risk for lifetime cannabis use was associated with better cognitive scores, suggesting shared genetic overlap with traits like curiosity rather than a cannabis benefit.
THC/CBD for Severe Dementia Behavioral Symptoms: A Two-Year Safety Pilot ↗
Two years of THC/CBD treatment in 19 elderly dementia patients showed good safety and reduced behavioral symptoms, but without a control group, the benefits remain unproven.
Mobile Phone Life-Skills Program Reduced Adolescent Cannabis Use by 45% at 18 Months ↗
RCT of 1,473 Swiss students found a 22-week mobile phone life-skills program reduced cannabis use by 45% and tobacco by 33% at 18 months, with no effect on alcohol.
CBD for Autism: Promising Preclinical and Early Clinical Signals, but Evidence Is Still Thin ↗
Review found CBD shows biological plausibility and early promise for ASD symptoms through the endocannabinoid system, but clinical evidence is limited and the authors caution against premature use.
U.S. Cannabis Markets Are Overshooting Therapeutic THC:CBD Ratios ↗
Analysis of U.S. dispensary products found medical cannabis THC:CBD ratios are nearly identical to recreational products — most would produce significant intoxication rather than therapeutic benefit.
Clinical Assessments Predicted Continued Cannabis Use in Psychosis Patients with 73% Accuracy ↗
Machine learning predicted continued cannabis use in psychosis patients with 73% accuracy using clinical interviews alone. Lower functioning and lack of coping strategies were key predictors.
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: How the Same System That Prevents Nausea Can Also Cause It ↗
Review explained how chronic cannabis use flips the endocannabinoid system from antiemetic to proemetic, causing CHS, and provided key differences from cyclic vomiting syndrome.
Phase 1 Trial of CBD-Dominant Cannabis Oil Found It Safe with Dose-Proportional Absorption ↗
Phase 1 trial of CBD-dominant cannabis oil in 43 healthy adults found dose-proportional CBD absorption, mostly mild side effects, and recommended starting doses no higher than 240 mg CBD daily.
Phase 1 Trial of THC Softgels: Safe up to 20 mg Daily but Better Tolerated After First Day ↗
Phase 1 trial of THC softgels in 41 healthy adults found all side effects mild-moderate, mostly on Day 1. Subjective effects only noticeable at the highest dose (20 mg). Recommended starting at 10 mg daily.
Why Adolescent Brains Are Uniquely Vulnerable to Cannabis: The Endocannabinoid-Dopamine Connection ↗
Review explained how the developing endocannabinoid system makes adolescent brains uniquely sensitive to THC, particularly through disruption of still-maturing dopamine circuits linked to psychosis and addiction.
Young Psychosis Patients Kept Using Cannabis Because They Lacked Alternative Coping Strategies ↗
Focus groups with 16 young psychosis patients found they continued cannabis use not despite knowing risks but because they lacked alternative strategies for socializing, enjoyment, and mood management.
Cannabis-Related Psychiatric Hospitalizations Rose Sharply in Switzerland Over Two Decades ↗
Nationwide Swiss data showed sharp increases in cannabis-related psychiatric hospitalizations from 1998-2020, concentrated in the 15-44 age range.
Cannabis Patients with Advanced Bile Duct Cancer Survived Nearly 7x Longer Than Standard Care Alone ↗
Advanced bile duct cancer patients in Thailand receiving medical cannabis survived 5.7 months vs. 0.8 months with standard care — dramatic but needs randomized trial confirmation.
Older Cannabis Users in Hawaii Had Higher Rates of Heart Disease, Stroke, and Pain ↗
Matched cohort in Hawaii found older cannabis users (50+) had higher rates of heart disease, stroke, chronic pain, MI, and used more healthcare services over two years compared to non-using controls.
ADHD Hyperactivity Made the Link Between Anxiety/Depression and Cannabis Use Stronger in Adolescent Girls ↗
Among 1,424 adolescents, anxiety/depression predicted cannabis use only in girls with high ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity, highlighting a specific risk profile for targeted intervention.
Gender Differences Exist in Cannabis-Related Psychiatric Disorders, but Direction Varies ↗
Review confirmed gender differences exist in cannabis-related psychosis, depression, and anxiety, but the direction varies. Women may be more vulnerable to mood effects; men may show stronger psychosis links.
79% of Florida Medical Cannabis Patients Reported Reducing or Stopping Pain Medications ↗
Survey of 2,183 Florida medical cannabis patients found 79% reported reducing or stopping pain medications after starting cannabis, with improvements in pain and physical functioning.
Cannabis Use Linked to Shorter Hospital Stays and Lower Costs for IBD Patients After Legalization ↗
After recreational legalization in CO and WA, cannabis use among IBD inpatients tripled. Cannabis-using patients had shorter stays and $8,418 lower hospital charges.
THC and CBD May Increase Methylphenidate Levels Through a Shared Liver Enzyme ↗
Modeling predicted THC could increase methylphenidate levels by 34% and high-dose CBD by up to 55% through CES1 enzyme inhibition, a previously unreported drug interaction mechanism.
Cannabis Use Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder Share a Familial Risk Factor ↗
JAMA Psychiatry study found bipolar II and cannabis use disorder cluster in families. Mood episodes typically preceded CUD, suggesting shared vulnerability and a potential prevention target.
Self-Regulation Program Added to Residential Treatment Reduced Cannabis and Meth Use ↗
Adding a self-regulation-focused Grit program to residential substance treatment produced larger reductions in cannabis and methamphetamine use in young adults, sustained at 12 months.
Genetic Variants for Substance Use and Brain Structure Share Common Pathways ↗
Genetics study found shared genetic links between brain cortical structure and substance use behaviors, with cannabis use genetics correlating with insula surface area differences.
Higher CBD Concentrations Worsened Inflammatory Markers in Depression in Lab Tests ↗
In vitro testing found higher CBD concentrations increased some inflammatory markers in blood from depressed patients, challenging the assumption that CBD is uniformly anti-inflammatory.
Cannabis Policies, Use Patterns, and Research Vary Dramatically Across 16 Countries ↗
Review of 16 countries found wide variation in cannabis policies, use reporting, and research output. European countries dominated research while Asian countries were significantly underrepresented.
New ER Algorithm Helps Distinguish Cannabis Hyperemesis from Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome ↗
Literature review proposed a novel ER algorithm to distinguish cannabis hyperemesis from withdrawal syndrome, emphasizing that correct identification is key to appropriate treatment and reducing repeat visits.
Lurasidone Showed Promise for Cannabis-Induced Psychosis in Four Young Patients ↗
Four patients with first cannabis-induced psychosis improved on lurasidone (74-128 mg/day) with symptom remission, functional recovery, and no significant side effects.
Umbrella Review: Cannabinoids Have Moderate Evidence Only for Chemo Nausea and Ulcerative Colitis QoL ↗
Umbrella review of 68 systematic reviews found no high-certainty evidence for cannabinoids in any condition. Moderate evidence supported chemotherapy nausea benefit; no benefit found for chronic non-cancer pain.