Trending Now - Research Finds Limited Support for Cannabis in Treating Mental Health
WHO:
Jack Wilson, postdoctoral research fellow at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney
Ryan Vandrey, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Dr. Devan Kansagara, professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University and the Portland VA
Ziva Cooper, professor of psychiatry who directs the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids
WHAT:
A review of cannabis studies over the past 45 years concluded there is little to no high-quality evidence showing cannabis is effective for treating mental health conditions.
The analysis included data from 54 randomized clinical trials involving 2,477 participants.
The review found no significant benefit for conditions such as anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, and opioid-use disorder.
Limited evidence suggested potential benefits for certain conditions, including reduced cannabis withdrawal symptoms and lower cannabis consumption among people with cannabis-use disorder.
Cannabinoids were linked to reductions in tic severity in people with Tourette's syndrome and increased sleep time in patients with insomnia.
The overall quality of evidence for autism and insomnia was deemed low.
WHERE:
The review was published in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Research conducted in Australia, with mentions of the United States and Canada regarding cannabis use.
WHEN:
The review analyzed studies conducted between 1980 and May 2025.
The findings were published in The Lancet Psychiatry on March 16th, 2026.
WHY:
The public's embrace of cannabis has outpaced scientific research, leading to a gap in evidence for its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions.
The authors emphasized the need for more high-quality trials with larger and more representative samples to clarify the therapeutic role of cannabinoids.
HOW:
The analysis systematically reviewed data from randomized-controlled trials on cannabis and mental health.
The review had strict criteria for which studies could be included, resulting in the final analysis only including data from close to 2,500 patients.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 23:17 UTC)
A new review published in The Lancet Psychiatry has found little to no high-quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabis in treating mental health conditions, despite the public's growing acceptance of its use. The analysis, which examined studies conducted over the past 45 years and included data from nearly 2,500 participants, revealed no significant benefits for conditions like anxiety, PTSD, and opioid-use disorder, although some limited evidence suggested potential advantages for cannabis withdrawal symptoms and tic severity in Tourette's syndrome. The authors stress the importance of conducting more rigorous trials to better understand the therapeutic role of cannabinoids in mental health treatment.