Could Cannabinoids Help Recovery After Open-Heart Surgery? ↗
Review of preclinical evidence suggests cannabinoids, especially CBD, could help manage pain, inflammation, and tissue damage after open-heart surgery.
Research library — page 89
Browse more cannabis research, findings, methods, and limitations.
Daily Cannabis Use in Young Adults Linked to a Novel Marker of Chronic Inflammation ↗
Daily cannabis use at age 24 was linked to elevated suPAR, a novel chronic inflammation marker, while less frequent use and traditional inflammatory markers showed no association.
Cannabis Legalization Increased Cannabis Use But Did Not Affect Tobacco Use or Co-Use ↗
National US cohort study found legalization increased cannabis use but had no effect on tobacco use or cannabis-tobacco co-use from 2017-2021.
DUI Blood Draws Are Delayed by Nearly 2 Hours on Average — And THC Levels Drop Fast ↗
Nearly 9,000 Wisconsin DUI cases show average blood draw delay of 1.8 hours — long enough for THC levels to drop below legal limits, especially after severe crashes.
Arthritis Patients Who Used Cannabinoids Reported Less Pain, Stiffness, and Fatigue ↗
Survey of 290 arthritis patients found about 15% used cannabinoids, reporting significant pain reduction with minimal side effects, though placebo effects cannot be ruled out.
Cannabis Was the Most Common Psychedelic to Cause Skin Reactions ↗
Review found cannabis caused the most skin reactions among psychedelics/hallucinogens, primarily allergic reactions from topical exposure, with MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin also documented.
Most Peruvian Medical Cannabis Patients Knew About Consumption Methods But Had Knowledge Gaps ↗
Survey of 86 Peruvian medical cannabis patients found reasonable knowledge about consumption but gaps in understanding risks, regulations, and safety.
THC Activates Brain Support Cells (Astrocytes) Differently Depending on Age and Sex ↗
Systematic review found THC increases key astrocyte (brain support cell) markers, with effects varying by developmental stage and sex across 12 studies.
Cannabis Shows Promise for Inflammatory Bowel Disease But Needs Larger Clinical Trials ↗
Review finds cannabis interacts with receptors throughout the gut to reduce inflammation and symptoms in IBD, but larger controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy.
Cannabis Edible Packaging Borrows Marketing Tricks from the Food Industry ↗
Content analysis of 1,229 cannabis edible packages found widespread use of health-oriented descriptors, food imagery, and experience-based marketing borrowing from mainstream food industry practices.
45% of People Who Use Both Cannabis and Stimulants Report Using Cannabis to Manage Stimulant Cravings ↗
Among 297 people using both cannabis and stimulants in Vancouver, 45% reported using cannabis to manage stimulant cravings, with 78% of those reporting decreased stimulant use.
CBD Promotes Heart Cell Regeneration and Reduces Heart Attack Damage in Mice ↗
CBD promoted heart cell regeneration and reduced heart attack damage in mice by downregulating miR-143-3p through the CB2 receptor, restimulating cardiomyocyte proliferation.
Cannabis Use Disorder Linked to Longer ICU Stays but Not Higher Death Rates in Australian Hospitals ↗
Among 34,680 Australian ICU admissions, cannabis-associated patients were younger with fewer comorbidities but stayed longer (2 vs 1 days), with no mortality difference after adjustment.
Substance-Related ER Visits by Youth Increased From 2018 to 2023, With Cannabis Visits Nearly Doubling ↗
Cannabis-related ER visits by youth nearly doubled from 2018 to 2023 across six urban hospitals, with notable increases among younger teens and female patients.
68% of Infants With Treatment-Resistant Epileptic Spasms Responded to CBD Add-On Therapy ↗
Purified CBD as add-on therapy achieved >50% spasm reduction in 68% of 28 infants with treatment-resistant epileptic spasms, with particularly strong responses in Down syndrome patients.
Case Series Documents Psychotic Episodes Triggered by Abrupt Cannabis Withdrawal ↗
Four patients developed psychotic symptoms after abruptly stopping chronic cannabis use, suggesting withdrawal itself may trigger psychosis in vulnerable individuals.
Systematic Review Finds Very Limited Evidence for Cannabinoids in Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Disorders ↗
Systematic review found only 18 studies (just 1 RCT) on cannabinoids for child/adolescent neuropsychiatric disorders across 4,466 screened.
CBD Reduced Seizures in 5 of 6 Patients With a Rare Genetic Epilepsy ↗
Five of 6 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy from rare GPI-anchored protein deficiencies achieved >=50% seizure reduction with add-on CBD over a median 27-month treatment period.
First NHS-Reimbursed Cannabis Prescription for Cancer Chemotherapy Nausea ↗
A cancer patient who failed 5 standard antiemetics became the first known NHS-reimbursed recipient of cannabis flowers for chemotherapy nausea.
Periodontitis Combined With Stress Disrupts the Brain Endocannabinoid System in Rats ↗
In rats with both gum disease and chronic stress, the brain endocannabinoid system was disrupted with reduced CB1 receptors and metabolic enzymes, alongside increased neuroinflammation.
Systematic Review Finds Mixed Results for Cannabis in PTSD, With Possible Benefits for Specific Symptom Clusters ↗
Systematic review of 14 studies found mixed evidence for cannabis in PTSD overall, but possible benefits for re-experiencing and arousal symptoms. CUD patients consistently showed worse outcomes.
Cannabis Users With Psychosis Show Fewer Cognitive Biases Than Non-Users ↗
In the large EU-GEI study, cannabis users showed fewer cognitive biases than non-users, while low-potency cannabis was paradoxically linked to more biases than high-potency use.
Endocannabinoid Receptors Show Strikingly Different Patterns Across Mice, Rats, and Primates ↗
Comparison of 14 endocannabinoid receptors across mice, rats, and macaques found zero receptors with matching expression patterns.
Marijuana Use Linked to Lower College Completion Rates, Especially at Four-Year Schools ↗
Nationally representative longitudinal study found past-year marijuana use associated with 30% lower college completion at four-year schools, with dose-response effects.
Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract Outperformed CBD Alone in Reducing Brain Cell Inflammation ↗
A full-spectrum cannabis extract significantly reduced brain cell inflammation and protected neurons from damage in lab models, outperforming CBD alone.
Delta-8 THC Products Sold at 11% of Fort Worth Retail Outlets, Concentrated in Poorer Neighborhoods ↗
Survey of 1,223 Fort Worth retail outlets found 11% sold delta-8 THC products, with outlets in more socioeconomically deprived areas significantly more likely to carry them.
74% of US Vape Shops Sell Intoxicating Cannabis Products, Even in States With Bans ↗
National survey found 74% of US vape shops sell intoxicating cannabis products, including 43% in states with bans, meaning these products are available in retail stores in all 50 states.
Prenatal Alcohol and Cannabinoid Co-Exposure Reduced Fetal Brain Blood Flow More Than Either Drug Alone in Mice ↗
In pregnant mice, combined alcohol and cannabinoid exposure reduced fetal brain blood flow more than either drug alone, and reduced cerebroplacental ratios predicted perinatal death with 81% sensitivity.
Current and Former Cannabis Users Report Worse Cognitive Function Than Never-Users in National Survey ↗
National survey of 36,309 adults found current cannabis users reported worst cognitive function, former users were intermediate, and never-users best, suggesting partial recovery after quitting.
AGA Clinical Practice Update Provides Expert Guidance on Diagnosing and Managing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome ↗
The AGA issued its first clinical practice update on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, providing peer-reviewed expert guidance on diagnosis and management.
Cannabis Use Disorder Worsens PTSD — And 'Psychological Inflexibility' Is the Bridge Between Them ↗
Cannabis use disorder worsens PTSD through psychological inflexibility — rigid, avoidant thinking that prevents trauma processing — a mechanism that's treatable with targeted therapy.
Five Genetic Mutations Identified That May Explain Why Some Heavy Cannabis Users Develop Hyperemesis Syndrome ↗
Five genetic mutations have been identified that distinguish CHS patients from asymptomatic heavy cannabis users, affecting THC metabolism, dopamine signaling, and the TRPV1 receptor.
Scoping Review Finds Growing Evidence Linking the Endocannabinoid System to ADHD Pathophysiology ↗
Scoping review found growing evidence linking endocannabinoid system dysfunction to ADHD, potentially explaining both high cannabis use rates and popular perception of cannabis as therapeutic for ADHD.
Prenatal THC Exposure Altered Fetal Brain Development in Rhesus Monkeys ↗
Daily THC edible exposure throughout pregnancy in rhesus macaques altered fetal brain growth, histology, and molecular pathways involved in axonal guidance.
Systematic Review Finds Cannabis Exposure in Youth Linked to Mood Changes Through Permanent Cognitive Alterations ↗
Systematic review of 19 studies found youth cannabis exposure linked to effects from transient mood changes to permanent cognitive alterations, though most evidence comes from animal studies.
Systematic Review Finds Limited Evidence for CHS Treatments, With Dopamine Antagonists Showing More Promise Than Capsaicin ↗
Systematic review found mixed evidence for capsaicin and potentially beneficial evidence for dopamine antagonists (haloperidol, droperidol) in treating CHS in the emergency department.
Brain Stimulation (rTMS) Reduced Cannabis Use Frequency in Preliminary Trial ↗
In a double-blind RCT of 72 people with CUD, active brain stimulation reduced cannabis use by about 1 fewer day per week compared to sham, though craving was not significantly affected.
CBD Improved Theory of Mind While THC Reduced Cognitive Empathy in Chronic Cannabis Users ↗
In a crossover trial, CBD improved Theory of Mind vs placebo while THC reduced cognitive empathy vs CBD in 18 chronic cannabis users, the first evidence that CBD enhances social cognition.
Florida Medical Cannabis Patients Use It Primarily for Anxiety, Pain, and Depression, With Most Reporting Improvement ↗
Survey of 632 Florida medical cannabis patients found top uses were anxiety (61%), pain (44%), and depression (40%), with 95-98% reporting improvement, but many used it beyond qualifying conditions.
California Teens Exposed to Marijuana Secondhand Smoke at Rates Similar to Tobacco ↗
California survey of ~159,000 students found secondhand marijuana smoke exposure nearly as common as tobacco secondhand smoke, with higher rates among students with asthma.
Most Roadside THC Saliva Tests Vary Wildly in Accuracy ↗
Testing of four roadside oral fluid THC devices in nearly 9,000 samples found massive performance differences. Only one device (Drager DrugTest) achieved over 96% accuracy.
Why People With Cannabis Problems Avoid Treatment in Sweden ↗
Swedish mixed-methods study found that cannabis, alcohol, and gambling users largely share the same barriers to treatment: privacy concerns, stigma, and poor availability.
Canadian Doctors Feel Unprepared to Authorize Medical Cannabis ↗
Interviews with 12 Canadian primary care providers found significant knowledge gaps and low confidence in medical cannabis authorization, with lack of guidelines as the key barrier.
CDC Report: Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana Rose From 2016 to 2019 ↗
CDC analysis of national survey data found marijuana-impaired driving increased from 4.5% to 5.3% of US drivers between 2016 and 2019, while alcohol-impaired driving declined.
Cannabis Education Campaigns in Northern Canada Had Modest Effects on Risk Perception ↗
Survey of 2,452 people in Canada's northern territories found that noticing cannabis education campaigns was associated with a modest 9% increase in perceiving daily cannabis use as risky.
CBD Reduced Gut Symptoms of Opioid Withdrawal in Mice ↗
Mouse study found CBD dose-dependently reduced gastrointestinal symptoms of opioid withdrawal, with consistent effects across both sexes during precipitated withdrawal.
Medical Cannabis May Work Less Well for People With Nociplastic Pain ↗
Study of 1,213 medical cannabis patients found those with higher nociplastic pain scores reported less pain relief and more side effects from cannabis, despite substituting it for more other medications.
Dangerous Synthetic Cannabinoids Found Hidden in "Blue Lotus" Vape Products ↗
US military crime lab found synthetic cannabinoids in 90% of seized "blue lotus" and "valerian root" vaping products, with 65 related toxicology cases.
Cannabis Use Explains Little of the Higher Psychosis Risk in European Ethnic Minorities ↗
EU-GEI study across five European countries found cannabis use explained very little of the elevated psychosis risk among ethnic minorities, except in two specific subgroups.
Cannabis-Based Medicine Reduced Tic Severity in Tourette Syndrome ↗
Meta-analysis of 9 studies (401 patients) found cannabis-based medicine significantly reduced tic severity and premonitory urges in Tourette syndrome, though evidence remains limited.