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.

  • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    53·
    4 days ago

    when they literally draw the conclusion cannabis does nothing for these conditions

    No, they don’t do that.

    They say that based on the available data, cannabis is not shown to be effective as an only form of treatment, and recommend more studies be done because the vast majority of the studies that exist are very poor.

    The reporting on the paper is not the paper.

    • ryannathans@aussie.zoneEnglish
      32·
      4 days ago

      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.

      They claim no significant effects for anxiety and PTSD when they could have said there was insufficient data. It’s misleading. They DO do that.

      • Caveman@lemmy.worldEnglish
        42·
        4 days ago

        No significant effect means no statistically significant effect here. The authors never claim an effect doesn’t exist.