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Mental Health research

Explore published research on mental health, including study methods and limitations.

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2009 / Cross Sectional / Preliminary evidence

Different Drugs Attract People With Different Attachment Styles

Heroin users showed fearful-avoidant attachment, ecstasy users showed mixed insecure patterns, and cannabis users were mainly dismissing or secure, suggesting different drugs serve different emotional regulation needs.

2015 / Observational / Moderate evidence

The Largest Study of Cannabis Addiction in America

U.S. adult cannabis use more than doubled by 2012-2013. Use disorders nearly doubled in the population, while the share of users with a disorder fell from 36% to 31%.

2015 / Cross Sectional / Preliminary evidence

What Motivates Indigenous Australian Men to Quit Cannabis

Study of 101 incarcerated Indigenous Australian men found family responsibilities and incarceration were the strongest motivators for quitting cannabis, suggesting culturally tailored cessation programs are needed.

2016 / Review / Moderate evidence

Cannabis Benefits and Risks: What a Meta-Analysis Found

A clinical review found cannabinoids offer modest benefits for nausea and inconsistent benefits for pain, while risks include cognitive impairment, driving accidents, dependence, and psychosis.

2019 / Review / Moderate evidence

Can CBD work as a new kind of antipsychotic?

Review of evidence suggesting CBD has antipsychotic properties through a unique non-dopamine mechanism, potentially offering a new treatment class for psychotic disorders with fewer side effects.

2020 / Randomized Controlled Trial / Preliminary evidence

First human lab study tested cannabinoids for OCD symptoms

Small RCT with 14 OCD patients found no significant symptom reduction from acute smoked cannabis (THC or CBD) versus placebo, though CBD showed a trend toward reduced anxiety.

2021 / Cross Sectional / Preliminary evidence

Cannabis and Stimulant Use Affect ADHD Patients Differently

Study found adults with ADHD show different clinical profiles based on substance type: cannabis users had worse general psychopathology, while stimulant/alcohol users showed more hyperactivity and legal problems.

2022 / Narrative Review / Preliminary evidence

Workplace Cannabis Policies: A Moving Target

Employers face conflicting laws and unreliable drug tests — a practical framework for cannabis workplace policies addresses safety, legal protections, and impairment measurement.

2022 / Cross Sectional / Preliminary evidence

What Cannabis-Using Pregnant Women Discuss in Online Forums

Analysis of an online pregnancy forum found cannabis-using mothers primarily seek information about drug testing, CPS involvement, and state-specific legal consequences rather than health effects.

2025 / Narrative Review / Moderate evidence

Cannabis Affects the Brain Differently Depending on Your Age

A narrative review of cannabis effects across the lifespan found that prenatal and adolescent exposure carries the highest neurological risk, while cannabis use among older adults is rising fastest with the least risk awareness.

2026 / Cohort / Strong evidence

1 in 6 Pregnancies in Michigan Involved Cannabis Use

Statewide Michigan study using both self-report and urine testing finds 1 in 6 pregnancies involved cannabis use, strongly linked to depression, adverse childhood experiences, and socioeconomic factors.

2026 / Longitudinal / Moderate evidence

Attachment Anxiety Amplifies Cannabis-Related Depression Risk

A longitudinal study of 1,745 adults found that attachment anxiety amplifies the link between cannabis use and depression, with the combination of high anxiety and avoidance predicting the greatest depressive increases.