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.

  • GnomeGodsGnomeMasters [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    8·
    13 days ago

    I’m just talking out my neck here, but as I recall from previous research I read like 10-20 years ago, it seemed that cannabis, for some, helped relieve acute symptoms in the moments after symptom onset, but I don’t think cannabis had any effect on overall anxiety long term.

    Also cannabis — like literally ANY DRUG — literally fucks with your brain chemistry so uhhhhh an abundance of caution is necessary and one should really try to avoid using any mind-altering substances until their brain is done cookin’ sometime between 25-30.

    Also, the causal relationship to psychotic disorders is fairly well documented at this point. Again, exercise caution if possible.

    This should in no way be taken as reason to continue with cannabis prohibition, because prohibition is the devil.

    Editing to say that there are millions of biopsychosocioeconomic reasons for a person to use cannabis and I’m not trying to pass judgement on anyone who has used, currently uses, or will use any substance. I do wish it was as simple as “just say no” but alas :(