AM Study Update: March 17, 2026

Evidence Watch  |  Nature medicine (2025)

Full-spectrum extract from Cannabis sativa DKJ127 for chronic low back pain: a phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trial.

# Study Summary This phase 3 trial evaluated full-spectrum Cannabis sativa extract (DKJ127) for chronic low back pain, a condition where current pharmacologic treatments have limited efficacy and safety concerns.

Evidence Watch  |  Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) (2025)

Cannabinoids for Medical Purposes in Children: A Living Systematic Review.

# Study Finding Summary This living systematic review continuously evaluates safety and efficacy data of cannabinoids for pediatric medical use, providing clinicians with an evolving evidence base for informed treatment decisions in child patients.

Evidence Watch  |  British journal of sports medicine (2026)

Influences on the mental health and well-being of retired professional athletes from high contact team sports: a mixed methods systematic review.

# Study Summary for Cannabis Clinicians This systematic review examines mental health prevalence and influencing factors in retired professional high-contact team sport athletes, potentially identifying populations with increased vulnerability to substance use disorders requiring clinical assessment.

Evidence Watch  |  Journal of medical Internet research (2024)

Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.

# Study Summary for Cannabis Clinicians The Minder Mobile intervention showed effectiveness in addressing mental health and substance use issues during university attendance, a critical period for cannabis use emergence and escalation among young adults.

Evidence Watch  |  Journal of anxiety disorders (2024)

Cannabis use and trauma-focused treatment for co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders: A meta-analysis of individual patient data.

# Study Finding Summary This meta-analysis examines whether evidence-based trauma treatments remain effective for PTSD patients with co-occurring cannabis and other substance use disorders, directly informing clinical outcomes and treatment planning for cannabis-using populations.

Evidence Watch  |  Annals of the rheumatic diseases (2026)

Cannabidiol versus placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.

# Study Summary **Finding & Clinical Relevance:** This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated cannabidiol’s efficacy and safety against placebo for fibromyalgia pain, providing evidence to inform cannabis clinicians’ treatment decisions for this condition.

Evidence Watch  |  International journal of environmental research and public health (2026)

Therapeutically Motivated Cannabis Use for Anxiety: Daily and Longitudinal Reductions Vary Between Flower and Edible Products.

# Study Summary for Cannabis Clinicians Cannabis flower and edible products showed differential effects on anxiety reduction, with daily use patterns varying by product type—informing clinical product recommendations for anxiety management.

Evidence Watch  |  Journal of sleep research (2026)

Acute Effects of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

# Study Summary This pilot trial examined how a single oral dose of cannabinoids (THC and CBD) affects sleep architecture and daytime function in insomnia patients using high-density EEG monitoring.

Evidence Watch  |  Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (2026)

Cannabidiol Lacks Direct Effect on Cortical Excitability: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, 3-Way Crossover Trial.

CBD showed no direct effect on cortical excitability in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, suggesting its anti-seizure mechanism may operate independently of direct cortical effects.

Evidence Watch  |  Journal of psychiatric research (2025)

Pre-trauma insomnia and posttraumatic alcohol and cannabis use in the AURORA observational cohort study of trauma survivors.

# Study Finding Summary Pre-trauma insomnia predicted increased cannabis use following traumatic events, suggesting cannabis clinicians should screen trauma survivors for pre-existing sleep disturbance as a risk factor for problematic use.

Evidence Watch  |  JAMA health forum (2026)

Adolescent Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depressive, and Anxiety Disorders.

# Study Finding Summary Adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders, informing clinical assessment and early intervention strategies for at-risk youth.

Evidence Watch  |  Drug and alcohol dependence (2016)

Anxiety, depression and risk of cannabis use: Examining the internalising pathway to use among Chilean adolescents.

# Study Finding Summary Adolescents with internalising symptoms (depression, anxiety) show increased cannabis use vulnerability, suggesting clinicians should screen for and address mental health comorbidities during cannabis use assessment and treatment.

Evidence Watch  |  Journal of clinical pharmacology (2025)

Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Derivatives and Their Analogs for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

# Study Finding Summary Cannabis derivatives showed promising therapeutic potential for autism spectrum disorder symptoms, including social interaction difficulties, communication challenges, and behavioral patterns, based on systematic review evidence.

Evidence Watch  |  The Journal of clinical psychiatry (2024)

Maternal Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Offspring.

# Study Finding Summary Maternal cannabis use during pregnancy may increase offspring risk for autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, requiring clinicians to counsel pregnant patients about potential neurodevelopmental effects.

Evidence Watch  |  Cannabis and cannabinoid research (2026)

A Randomized, Open-Label Trial to Assess Feasibility and Tolerability of Topical Cannabis Balms for the Treatment of Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Musculoskeletal Syndrome (AIMSS).

# Study Summary This feasibility trial evaluates whether topical cannabis balms are tolerable for treating AIMSS in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, addressing a condition affecting approximately 67% of aromatase inhibitor users.

Evidence Watch  |  Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging (2026)

A single dose of cannabidiol modulates the relationship between hippocampal glutamate and learning-related prefrontal activation in individuals at Clinical High Risk of Psychosis.

# Study Finding Summary A single CBD dose normalized hippocampal glutamate levels and prefrontal brain activation during memory tasks in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis, suggesting a potential mechanism for CBD’s therapeutic effects in psychosis prevention.

Evidence Watch  |  Medicine and science in sports and exercise (2026)

Daily Use of a Broad-Spectrum Cannabidiol Supplement Produces Detectable Concentrations of Cannabinoids in Urine Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency: An Effect Amplified by Exercise.

# Study Finding Summary Broad-spectrum CBD supplements contain prohibited cannabinoids that accumulate in urine detectably with daily use, with exercise amplifying this effect—relevant for clinicians advising athletes on WADA-compliant cannabis product selection.

Evidence Watch  |  Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders (2025)

Long-term safety and tolerability of transdermal cannabidiol gel in children and adolescents with Fragile X syndrome (ZYN2-CL-017): an interim analysis of an ongoing open-label extension study.

# Study Summary ZYN002 transdermal cannabidiol gel demonstrates ongoing safety and tolerability in pediatric Fragile X syndrome patients, providing clinicians evidence for cannabinoid use in neurodevelopmental disorders requiring non-invasive delivery methods.

Evidence Watch  |  Complementary therapies in clinical practice (2025)

Challenges in conducting a feasibility randomized controlled trial of medicinal cannabis for endometriosis pain in Australia.

# Study Finding Summary The study assessed feasibility and safety of medicinal cannabis for endometriosis pain management in Australia, addressing a gap between patient use and lack of clinical evidence.

Evidence Watch  |  Drug and alcohol dependence (2026)

Population reach, feasibility and acceptability of digital therapeutics for smoking cessation among people living with HIV: Results of the Quitting Matters pilot trial.

# Study Finding Summary This pilot trial evaluated digital smoking cessation tools among people living with HIV, demonstrating feasibility of reaching this high-risk population through technology—a model potentially applicable to cannabis use interventions in immunocompromised patients.