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.

  • bulwark@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    10 days ago

    And might I ask who is funding this study and how are they being paid for by big pharma?

    • BrikoX@lemmy.zipOPMEnglish
      101·
      10 days ago

      Declaration of interests

      WH and MG have received consultation fees from WHO. WH has received payment for expert testimony on the risks of cannabis use. MG is an appropriate member of the Medicinal Cannabis Expert Working Group, Australian Department of Health, Ageing and Disability. MG has received funding from the Therapeutic Goods Administration for independent evidence reviews on medicinal cannabis. All other authors declare no competing interests.

      Acknowledgments

      JW and ES are supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) investigator grant awarded to ES (GNT2017346). MG is supported by a NHMRC Postgraduate Scholarship (GNT2030765) and Monash Graduate Research Excellence Scholarship. JL, MT, and GC are supported by NHMRC investigator grants. TPF was funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (MR/Y017560/1).

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
      71·
      10 days ago

      Plenty of Big Pharma money in producing and distributing cannibas in various forms. We’ve seen thousands of patents filed since legalization began in earnest in 2015

    • GreenBeanMachine@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      9 days ago

      That trail will be well hidden.

      I have no doubt about them funding this, not that it will be traceable in any way. They’re not that dumb

    • Caveman@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      9 days ago

      The author of the study addresses it. He mentions that a lot of studies fail to disclose funding or have a risk of bias based on funding.