Can Cannabis Treat Depression and Anxiety? Here’s What Researchers Found
Money Talks News • • health
Key Points:
- A comprehensive review published in The Lancet analyzed 54 randomized controlled trials over 45 years and found no evidence supporting the effectiveness of medicinal cannabis for treating anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
- Approximately 27% of people aged 16 to 65 in the U.S. and Canada use cannabis medically, with about half using it to manage mental health symptoms, despite potential risks such as increased psychotic symptoms and cannabis use disorder.
- The study found limited and low-quality evidence suggesting medicinal cannabis might help with conditions like autism, insomnia, and cannabis dependency, but cautioned against its routine use without robust medical support.
- Positive effects of medicinal cannabis were noted for reducing seizures in certain epilepsies, easing muscle stiffness in multiple sclerosis, and managing specific types of pain, while its role in substance-use disorders showed mixed results.
- The findings may strengthen calls from organizations like the American Medical Association for stricter regulation and oversight of cannabis products due to concerns about safety and efficacy.
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