The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise.

The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise.

Study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(26)00015-5/fulltext

Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044656.htm

Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.

  • Zacryon@feddit.orgEnglish
    52·
    4 days ago

    This is how meta analyses work:
    you look at available research, aggregate over it, draw conclusions. It is not unusual that such meta studies even point out that more research is needed.

    In fact, it is often helpful to get this ‘more research’ funded.

    • Randomgal@lemmy.caEnglish
      41·
      4 days ago

      The issue is this is bit a HUGE meta study. The results are being presented disingenuously.

    • ryannathans@aussie.zoneEnglish
      21·
      4 days ago

      Then it needs to say more research needed instead of making the misleading claim there’s no effect

      There were no significant effects on outcomes associated with anxiety, anorexia nervosa, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and opioid use disorder. There were insufficient data to meta-analyse studies of ADHD, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and tobacco use disorder.

      • Caveman@lemmy.worldEnglish
        21·
        4 days ago

        No significant effect does not mean no effect, very crucial difference. It means that the effect wasn’t statistically significant, i.e. <5% chance of being random.