Cannabis and Mental Health: Why Results Seem Contradictory and What Actually Matters

This review highlights that seemingly contradictory findings in cannabis-mental health research are largely explained by unmeasured variables. THC exposure drives most negative outcomes while CBD shows therapeutic promise. Youth and those with family history of psychiatric disorders face the highest risk. Product choice, route of administration, and use frequency all significantly modify outcomes but are rarely reported in studies.

Narrative review summarizing findings from studies and reviews on cannabis and mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, and PTSD, with focus on critical moderating variables.

As cannabis use increases, both patients and providers need nuanced guidance beyond 'cannabis is good' or 'cannabis is bad.' This review identifies the specific factors that determine whether cannabis use is more likely to help or harm mental health.

The field is moving beyond asking 'is cannabis good or bad for mental health?' toward asking 'for whom, at what dose, with what product, and under what circumstances?' This review maps the variables that need to be considered for a complete picture.

Narrative review, not systematic. Relies on existing literature with the same gaps it critiques. Cannot quantify the relative importance of each moderating variable.