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Top items from the CED news pipeline.
- (82) Scientists are raising new concerns about marijuana use in teens – KPBS
Research continues to build a concerning picture around adolescent cannabis use and its association with elevated risk for psychiatric conditions, including psychosis, depression, and anxiety disorders. The developing brain, particularly during the teenage years, appears to be especially vulnerable to the neurochemical disruptions that cannabinoids can produce, with THC’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system potentially altering normal neurodevelopmental trajectories. Clinicians and public health researchers are increasingly calling for clearer communication about these risks, particularly as cannabis potency has risen substantially and cultural perception of harm has declined among younger populations. - (81) Can the placenta predict schizophrenia risk? Lessons from prenatal cannabis exposure
Emerging research is exploring whether placental biomarkers can serve as early indicators of schizophrenia risk, particularly in the context of prenatal cannabis exposure. THC crosses the placenta and can disrupt fetal neurodevelopment by interacting with the endocannabinoid system during critical windows of brain formation. This line of inquiry raises important questions about how prenatal THC exposure may prime neurobiological pathways associated with psychosis susceptibility later in life. - (81) Scientists are raising new concerns about marijuana use in teens – YouTube
Adolescent cannabis use remains one of the most clinically significant concerns in cannabis medicine, as the developing brain is uniquely vulnerable to the effects of THC through at least the mid-twenties. Research consistently points to associations between early, frequent cannabis use and disruptions in neurodevelopmental trajectories, including effects on memory, attention, and emotional regulation. The concentration of THC in today’s products is substantially higher than in previous decades, which raises the stakes for any conversation about youth exposure and risk. - (78) When Legalization Meets Reality: High-THC Cannabis and Psychosis Risk
A Psychology Today analysis argues that high-THC cannabis is linked to increased psychosis risk, particularly for young, heavy users, as potency has risen dramatically since the 1990s. The article calls for legalization paired with stricter potency controls and honest public education rather than framing cannabis as completely harmless. - (78) The Munchies’ Are Real and Could Benefit Those with No Appetite
WSU’s official PNAS study found cannabis vapor universally increased food consumption in 82 volunteers regardless of BMI, sex, or dose, with beef jerky as the surprising top food choice. The research team aims to develop appetite therapies for HIV/AIDS and chemotherapy patients based on the brain-mediated mechanism. - (78) New Study in Pullman Shows ‘Munchies’ Might Help Those with Loss of Appetite
A Pullman-based PNAS study used a whole-plant vapor approach with 82 community volunteers and parallel rat studies to prove the munchies are centrally brain-mediated. This translational design provides the strongest evidence yet for developing cannabis-based appetite therapies for clinical wasting syndromes. - (78) Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Use Cannabis
- (78) Adolescent Cannabis Use Linked to Doubling Risk of Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders
- (78) Cannabis Use by Teenagers Doubles Their Risk of Developing Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders
- (78) Kaiser Study Finds Higher Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Teens Who Reported Cannabis Use
Research from Kaiser Permanente examining teen cannabis use and psychiatric disorder risk adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to cannabinoid exposure during critical developmental windows. While association studies like these cannot establish causation, clinicians who work with cannabis medicine recognize that age of onset matters significantly, and the developing endocannabinoid system in teenagers responds very differently than in adults. This reinforces the importance of distinguishing between adult medical cannabis use under clinical supervision and unsupervised adolescent use, which carries a meaningfully different risk profile. - (78) A huge study finds a link between cannabis use in teens and psychosis later – NPR
A large study has found an association between cannabis use during adolescence and increased risk of developing psychosis later in life. These findings underscore the importance of protecting the developing brain, as adolescents appear to be more vulnerable to cannabis-related neuropsychiatric outcomes than adults. - (78) Teen Cannabis Use Tied to Increase in Serious Mental Illness – Medscape
Emerging research continues to reinforce what clinicians have observed for years: adolescent cannabis use, particularly during critical neurodevelopmental windows, is associated with a meaningful increase in risk for serious psychiatric conditions including psychotic and bipolar disorders. The developing brain remains uniquely vulnerable to exogenous cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system plays a central role in synaptic pruning and neural circuit maturation during the teenage years. This does not mean cannabis causes these conditions in every user, but it does underscore the importance of age-appropriate clinical guardrails and honest conversations about risk. - (78) Brain Researchers Finally Know Why Cannabis Use Increases Appetite – The Debrief
The appetite-stimulating effects of cannabis, commonly known as “the munchies,” have long been observed clinically but the precise neurological mechanisms were not well characterized until recently. Research has now identified how cannabinoids interact with specific brain circuits to drive increased appetite, independent of the type or palatability of food available. This distinction is clinically meaningful because it suggests the effect is centrally driven rather than a response to sensory reward or food preference. - (78) Teen Marijuana Use Doubles Chances of Future Psychotic Disorders, Study Finds
Research examining adolescent cannabis use has consistently identified a meaningful association between early initiation and elevated risk for psychotic spectrum disorders in adulthood, with the biological vulnerability of the developing adolescent brain playing a central role in this relationship. The endocannabinoid system undergoes significant maturation throughout adolescence, and exogenous cannabinoids introduced during this window appear to disrupt neurodevelopmental trajectories in ways that can have lasting psychiatric consequences. Potency of the cannabis product matters considerably here, as contemporary high-THC formulations represent a substantially different exposure profile than products studied in earlier decades. - (78) The association between cannabis use and brain reward anticipation: a 12-month … – Nature
Research examining cannabis use and brain reward circuitry has produced inconsistent results, with some studies suggesting blunted responses to non-drug rewards and others showing minimal or no effect. The complexity likely stems from variables including frequency of use, age of initiation, cannabinoid content, and individual neurobiological differences that are difficult to control across study populations. Longitudinal designs tracking participants over time offer a more rigorous framework for understanding whether reward processing changes precede cannabis use, follow from it, or reflect a bidirectional relationship. - (78) THC levels in blood and urine are “unreliable” indicators of driving impairment – leafie
The relationship between THC concentration in biological fluids and actual driving impairment is far more complex than a simple number can capture. THC is highly lipophilic, meaning it distributes rapidly into tissues and does not remain in blood proportionally to psychoactive effect, which makes blood levels a poor proxy for functional intoxication. Unlike alcohol, where blood concentration correlates reasonably well with impairment, cannabis pharmacokinetics vary dramatically based on frequency of use, individual metabolism, tolerance, and the presence of other cannabinoids. - (78) Study Links Prenatal Cannabis Exposure To Schizophrenia – New Telegraph
Emerging research suggests that prenatal cannabis exposure may leave measurable biological signatures in placental tissue that are associated with increased schizophrenia risk in offspring. The placenta acts as a dynamic interface between maternal and fetal environments, and cannabinoids can cross this barrier and influence fetal neurodevelopment during critical windows of brain formation. These findings add biological plausibility to epidemiological signals that have long suggested a connection between gestational cannabis use and downstream psychiatric vulnerability in children. - (78) The Endocannabinoid System’s Contribution to Placebo Analgesia – bioRxiv
The endocannabinoid system appears to play a meaningful role in mediating placebo analgesia, suggesting that the brain’s expectation of pain relief may partially operate through the same cannabinoid signaling pathways activated by cannabis-based medicines. This finding adds biological plausibility to the long-debated question of how much overlap exists between expectation-driven pain relief and pharmacologically induced analgesia. Understanding this mechanism has implications for how clinical trials are designed, how placebo responses are interpreted in cannabis pain studies, and how clinicians counsel patients about the neuroscience behind their treatment responses. - (78) Modulating the endocannabinoid system in alcohol use disorder: A translational systematic …
The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in regulating reward circuitry, stress response, and impulse control, all of which are disrupted in alcohol use disorder. Cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 and CB2, along with endogenous ligands like anandamide and 2-AG, modulate dopaminergic and GABAergic pathways that drive craving, withdrawal, and relapse behavior. Research into ECS-targeted therapies, including FAAH inhibitors and neutral CB1 antagonists, represents a meaningful shift toward biologically informed treatment of addiction rather than purely behavioral approaches. - (78) Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is on the rise: What symptoms to watch for – The Hill
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a paradoxical condition in which chronic, heavy cannabis users develop cyclic episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, often relieved temporarily by hot showers or baths. The syndrome is frequently misdiagnosed for months or years because patients and clinicians alike associate cannabis with antiemetic properties, creating a counterintuitive diagnostic barrier. As high-potency THC products have become more widely available and socially normalized, the frequency of CHS presentations in emergency departments has increased, making clinician and patient awareness more urgent than ever. - (78) Association of Cannabis Use Disorder Versus Other Substance Use Disorders … – Psychiatry Online
Research comparing cannabis use disorder to other substance use disorders is an important area of inquiry because it helps clinicians understand the relative psychiatric burden associated with problematic cannabis use in the context of a rapidly changing legal and cultural landscape. Propensity-score-matched study designs are valuable here because they attempt to control for the many confounding variables that make substance use populations inherently difficult to compare fairly. Understanding how cannabis use disorder stacks up against alcohol, opioid, or stimulant use disorders in terms of psychiatric outcomes can meaningfully inform screening, treatment prioritization, and public health messaging. - (78) Study Shows Lifetime Cannabis Use Not Associated with Cognitive Decline or Dementia …
Emerging research from major academic institutions is challenging longstanding assumptions that cannabis use accelerates cognitive aging or increases dementia risk in older populations. The data suggest that lifetime exposure to cannabis, when examined in older adult cohorts, does not appear to correlate with measurable declines in cognitive function or elevated dementia incidence. This adds important nuance to how clinicians should counsel aging patients who use or are considering cannabis for symptom management. - (76) Observational study on medical marijuana use seeks Arizona participants – KJZZ
Observational research on medical cannabis is essential for building the real-world evidence base that controlled trials alone cannot provide, particularly given the diversity of conditions, products, and consumption patterns patients bring to clinical settings. Recruiting participants at the point of initiation allows researchers to capture baseline data and track outcomes longitudinally, which strengthens the quality of findings compared to studies that enroll patients already well into their cannabis use. Arizona’s participation in a national study expands geographic and demographic representation, which helps address longstanding concerns about whether cannabis research reflects the broader patient population. - (75) Teenage Cannabis Users Twice as Likely as Non-Users to Develop Psychosis
A JAMA Health Forum study of 463,396 adolescents found that cannabis use between ages 13–17 doubled the risk of developing psychotic and bipolar disorders by age 26. Cannabis use preceded psychiatric diagnoses by an average of 1.7–2.3 years, underscoring the vulnerability of the developing adolescent brain. - (75) Study: Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Double Psychosis Risk
- (75) Full-Spectrum Cannabis Extract Shows Significant Pain Reduction in Chronic Neuropathic Pain
- (75) Do anything, become nothing – The Morning News
A new longitudinal study has found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders later in life. These findings underscore the particular vulnerability of the developing brain to cannabis exposure, with age of onset identified as a clinically significant factor in downstream psychiatric outcomes. - (75) A huge study finds a link between cannabis use in teens and psychosis later – KUOW
Large-scale longitudinal research continues to reinforce the clinical concern that adolescent cannabis exposure is associated with elevated risk of psychotic disorders and other serious mental health conditions in adulthood. From a neurobiological standpoint, the adolescent brain is undergoing critical endocannabinoid system maturation, and exogenous cannabinoid exposure during this window may disrupt neurodevelopmental trajectories in ways that increase vulnerability to psychosis, particularly in genetically predisposed individuals. This finding aligns with what we have observed clinically for years and underscores why age-appropriate guidance and delayed initiation remain cornerstones of responsible cannabis medicine. - (75) Prescribed cannabis and driving behaviours among two samples of people who regularly … – UNSW
Research examining driving behaviors among medical cannabis patients raises important questions about how THC affects psychomotor function, reaction time, and judgment at various doses and time points after consumption. The relationship between measured THC levels and actual impairment is complex, as tolerance, route of administration, and individual pharmacokinetics all influence functional capacity behind the wheel. Clinicians prescribing cannabis have a responsibility to counsel patients clearly about timing of use relative to driving, particularly when THC-dominant formulations are involved. - (75) Cannabis research: India to start human trials for medicinal marijuana – NewsBytes
India’s launch of human clinical trials for medicinal cannabis represents a significant regulatory and scientific shift for a country with historically strict drug policies. These trials will generate controlled safety and efficacy data across specific medical conditions, helping to establish evidence-based frameworks for potential therapeutic use. Structured human trials are essential for understanding dosing, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic windows in diverse patient populations, and data from a large and genetically diverse country like India could meaningfully contribute to global cannabis medicine research. - (75) Cannabis Munchies Driven by Brain Reward Signals | Technology Networks
Cannabis-induced hyperphagia, colloquially known as “the munchies,” has long been observed clinically but its precise neurological underpinnings in humans have remained incompletely characterized. Emerging research points to cannabis activating reward-related brain circuitry, particularly pathways involving endocannabinoid signaling that amplify the hedonic and motivational aspects of eating. Understanding these mechanisms has meaningful implications not only for recreational use patterns but also for therapeutic applications in conditions involving appetite dysregulation, such as cancer cachexia, HIV-associated wasting, and anorexia nervosa. - (75) The association between cannabis use and brain reward anticipation: a 12-month … – Nature
The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in shaping brain reward circuitry, and THC directly engages this system during periods when neural architecture is still actively developing. Research examining cannabis use and reward anticipation over a 12-month period reflects growing scientific interest in how repeated THC exposure may alter dopaminergic signaling and motivational processing. Understanding these neurobiological mechanisms is clinically relevant for evaluating both therapeutic applications and potential risks across different age groups and patterns of use. - (75) Screaming, vomiting, and daily weed: The rise of ‘scromiting’ among chronic cannabis users
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is a paradoxical condition in which heavy, long-term cannabis use causes cyclical episodes of severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, often relieved temporarily by hot showers or baths. The syndrome is thought to involve dysregulation of cannabinoid receptors in the gut and hypothalamus, particularly with chronic high-potency THC exposure, though the precise mechanism remains under active investigation. Definitive resolution typically requires complete cessation of cannabis use, and patients frequently cycle through emergency departments multiple times before receiving an accurate diagnosis. - (75) Study finds no links between cannabis use and cognitive decline or dementia in older people
Concerns about cannabis use accelerating cognitive decline or contributing to dementia risk in older adults have long influenced clinical conversations, but emerging research is beginning to challenge those assumptions. The biological reality is complex, given that the endocannabinoid system plays a regulatory role in neuroinflammation and neuroprotection, and that older adults are using cannabis for legitimate symptom management at increasing rates. Understanding whether cannabis poses a cognitive threat or potentially a neutral or even protective profile in aging populations has significant implications for how clinicians counsel patients over 60. - (75) Cannabis Use and Brain Aging: What a Major Study Reveals – Born2Invest
Research drawing on large biobank datasets has examined whether cannabis use is associated with measurable changes in brain aging trajectories. The findings suggest a nuanced picture in which cannabis users may show some initial differences in brain age metrics, but the relationship between cannabis exposure and long-term neurological aging is not straightforwardly harmful or protective. Interpreting these results requires careful attention to confounders such as frequency of use, age of initiation, and whether acute versus chronic effects are being captured. - (74) Placental Changes From Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Could Flag Higher Schizophrenia …
Emerging research suggests that prenatal cannabis exposure may produce measurable epigenetic and gene expression changes in placental tissue, particularly in pathways associated with neurodevelopmental risk including schizophrenia. The placenta, long underappreciated as a window into fetal programming, appears to reflect cannabis-related disruptions that could correlate with altered brain development trajectories in offspring. This line of investigation raises important questions about the biological mechanisms linking gestational cannabis use to psychiatric vulnerability later in life. - (72) Patients Who Rely on Hemp-Derived CBD Face ‘Abrupt Disruptions in Care’
Americans for Safe Access warns that patients who rely on hemp-derived CBD due to cost and access barriers face sudden loss of access when the Nov ban hits. The new law creates no clinical pathways, insurance coverage, or patient safeguards for displaced users. - (72) Study: Cannabis Beverages Help People Cut Alcohol Consumption Nearly in Half
A University at Buffalo study found that people who switched to cannabis beverages cut their weekly alcohol intake nearly in half, from 7 to 3.35 drinks. Nearly two-thirds of users reduced or stopped alcohol entirely, suggesting cannabis drinks may be an effective harm-reduction tool. - (72) First Human Clinical Trial: CBG Reduces Anxiety and Stress Without Intoxication
The first double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial of CBG found that a 20mg oral dose significantly reduced anxiety and stress while improving verbal memory—with zero intoxication or impairment. CBG also shows antimicrobial and potential metabolic disorder applications. - (72) Study: Minor Cannabinoids CBDV and CBG Show Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Effects When Combined
A Journal of Ethnopharmacology study found that 10 non-psychotropic cannabinoids—particularly CBDV and CBG—showed meaningful anti-inflammatory effects, especially when combined with natural plant compounds. The synergistic findings support the entourage effect hypothesis and highlight the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids. - (72) Cannabis-Related ‘Munchies’ Are Real, and Could Help People with AIDS, Cancer
A WSU/University of Calgary PNAS study confirms ‘the munchies’ are a real, brain-mediated cognitive response that occurs universally regardless of sex, age, weight, or recent food consumption. The finding could inform targeted appetite therapies for patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other wasting conditions. - (72) Medical Cannabis Improves Sleep for Insomnia Patients
UK Medical Cannabis Registry data shows insomnia patients report sustained sleep improvements over 18 months with cannabis-based products, with fewer than 10% experiencing adverse events. Nearly 40% of patients reduced or eliminated prescription sleep medications after starting medical cannabis. - (72) Cannabis: What Is the Profile of Adults at Low Risk of Dependence?
A University of Montreal study found that 63% of cannabis-using Quebec adults are at low risk for cannabis use disorder, with occasional social use and female sex associated with lower risk. Researchers call for a paradigm shift toward acknowledging non-problematic cannabis use in public health policy. - (72) Satiety Bypass: How Cannabis Overrides the Brain’s ‘I’m Full’ Signal
A PNAS study reveals that THC activates CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus to override natural satiety signals, creating starvation-like hunger even in recently fed subjects. The brain-mediated mechanism—confirmed in both human and rat trials—provides a roadmap for developing appetite therapies without psychoactive side effects. - (72) Cannabis-Infused Drinks May Help People Cut Their Alcohol Intake in Half
A University at Buffalo study found cannabis beverage users cut weekly alcohol intake from 7 to 3.35 drinks, with 62.6% reducing or stopping drinking entirely. The $1B+ cannabis beverage market faces elimination under the Nov 2026 federal ban’s 0.4mg THC per-container cap. - (72) Four More States Advance Bills to Allow Medical Marijuana Access in Hospitals
Four additional states are advancing bills to allow medical marijuana use in hospitals, addressing the gap where patients must choose between their cannabis medication and hospital care. The legislation establishes protocols for patient-initiated use under medical supervision in settings like hospice and palliative care. - (72) Munchies Phenomenon: WSU Study Looks into Benefits of Cannabis Use and Appetite
- (72) Study: Teen Cannabis Use Linked to Double Psychosis Risk – Ground News
New research highlights a correlation between adolescent cannabis use and an approximately doubled risk of developing psychotic disorders, reinforcing what clinicians in cannabis medicine have long recognized about the vulnerability of the developing brain. This finding is consistent with prior longitudinal studies showing that early-onset, high-frequency cannabis use during critical neurodevelopmental windows can increase susceptibility to psychosis, particularly in individuals with genetic predisposition. While the study underscores real risk, it is important to contextualize that correlation does not establish direct causation and that most adolescents who use cannabis do not develop psychosis. - (72) Cannabis Use Associated with Worse Working Memory – EMJ
New research links heavy cannabis use to reduced brain activation during working memory tasks, suggesting potential cognitive effects that warrant clinical attention. While this aligns with what we’ve observed in practice with high-dose, high-frequency users, it is critical to distinguish between heavy recreational use patterns and structured medical dosing, as the clinical implications differ substantially. Dose, frequency, cannabinoid ratios, and patient-specific factors all influence cognitive outcomes, and blanket conclusions about cannabis and memory fail to capture the nuance required for informed patient care. - (72) Teens Using Weed Have Doubled Risk For Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder
New research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that adolescent cannabis use is associated with a significantly elevated risk of developing psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder by young adulthood. From a clinical standpoint, this aligns with what we have long observed regarding the vulnerability of the developing brain to regular cannabinoid exposure, particularly with high-THC products during critical neurodevelopmental windows. While cannabis medicine has legitimate therapeutic applications for adult patients, these findings reinforce that age of onset and brain maturity are essential variables in any risk-benefit conversation.