Review: The Endocannabinoid System as a Treatment Target for Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Disorders | Research

The takeaway

A narrative review found the endocannabinoid system shows promise as a treatment target for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents, but compounds that target it without cannabis's unwanted effects need further development.

child psychiatrists, developmental neuroscientists, pediatric pharmacologists

What the researchers found

The endocannabinoid system plays key roles in stress, emotion, and social behavior regulation throughout development. Dysregulation is evident in various pediatric psychiatric disorders. While cannabis itself has too many limitations for pediatric use (legal, stigma, side effects), pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions targeting the ECS may offer viable alternatives.

Why it matters

Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents are increasing, and many current treatments have limited efficacy. The endocannabinoid system represents a novel therapeutic target that could lead to new treatment approaches, but safety in developing brains must be carefully established.

The numbers in context

Reviewed ECS development from prenatal to adolescent periods. Examined dysregulation across multiple psychiatric disorders. Summarized current pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions targeting ECS.

How the study worked

Narrative review summarizing ECS function during development, its contribution to psychopathology in children and adolescents, behavioral evidence, and current pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic investigations.

What this study cannot tell us

Narrative review without systematic search criteria. Most evidence is from preclinical studies. Limited clinical trial data for ECS-targeting compounds in pediatric populations. Developmental trajectory of the ECS is not fully characterized.

How to read the evidence

Narrative review synthesizing heterogeneous evidence. Concept is promising but clinical evidence for pediatric ECS-targeting therapies is minimal.

When this study was published

2025 publication.

The bigger picture

This review bridges two active research fields — developmental psychopathology and endocannabinoid science — highlighting opportunities for novel treatments while acknowledging that the developing brain's vulnerability to cannabinoids demands extreme caution.

Questions still open

Which ECS-targeting compounds are safe for developing brains?
Could non-pharmacological ECS interventions (exercise, diet) be effective for pediatric psychiatric disorders?

Common questions

Could the endocannabinoid system be targeted to treat childhood mental health disorders?

This review suggests yes — the endocannabinoid system is involved in stress, emotion, and social behavior regulation in children. However, cannabis itself is too risky for developing brains, so researchers are exploring targeted compounds and non-drug approaches.

Is medical cannabis safe for children with mental health conditions?

This review notes that cannabis has too many limitations for pediatric psychiatric use, including side effects on the developing brain, legal barriers, and stigma. Instead, researchers are investigating compounds that target specific parts of the endocannabinoid system without cannabis's broader effects.

Read the original research

Research Review: What we have learned about the endocannabinoid system in developmental psychopathology.

Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 66(12), 1904-1915

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Tansey, Ryann C; Ferger, Marc D; Marusak, Hilary A; Mayo, Leah M. (2025). Research Review: What we have learned about the endocannabinoid system in developmental psychopathology.. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 66(12), 1904-1915. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.70006