#85 Research Authority
Peer-reviewed research curated for clinical relevance and evidence quality.
Recent research digest. 40 of 40 most recent studies from our monitored feeds.
[1] Influences on the mental health and well-being of retired professional athletes from high contact team sports: a mixed methods systematic review.
Vella Jordan D et al. | British journal of sports medicine (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Retired professional athletes from high-contact team sports experience significant mental health challenges, with prevalence rates and contributing factors varying based on factors like career transitions, injury history, and social support systems. Key influences on their mental well-being include difficulty adjusting to life after sport, cumulative effects of repeated head injuries or concussions, loss of athletic identity, financial stress, and the availability of social connections and professional mental health resources during retirement.
[2] Research on Eating and Adolescent Lifestyle (REAL) 2.0: 15-year follow-up study of eating disorders and weight-related trajectories, mental health and substance use health from early adolescence to early adulthood-a Canadian cohort profile.
Obeid Nicole et al. | BMJ open (2026)
# Clinical Summary
The REAL 2.0 study followed Canadian adolescents over 15 years to examine how body image concerns and disordered eating in teenage years predict eating disorders, weight problems, mental health issues, and substance use in early adulthood. This long-term research helps identify which adolescent risk factors most strongly contribute to multiple health problems later in life, potentially informing prevention and treatment strategies.
[3] Cannabidiol versus placebo in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.
Rasmussen Marianne Uggen et al. | Annals of the rheumatic diseases (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This randomized controlled trial tested whether cannabidiol (CBD) could reduce fibromyalgia pain better than placebo in patients at a Danish clinic. The study aimed to determine if CBD is an effective and safe treatment option for fibromyalgia, a chronic condition causing widespread pain.
[4] Therapeutically Motivated Cannabis Use for Anxiety: Daily and Longitudinal Reductions Vary Between Flower and Edible Products.
Rosa Luiza et al. | International journal of environmental research and public health (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study found that cannabis products containing CBD showed greater reductions in daily anxiety symptoms compared to THC-only products, with edibles and flower forms demonstrating different effectiveness patterns over the 30-day period. The results suggest that the ratio of CBD to THC in cannabis products matters for anxiety relief, with higher CBD content potentially providing more consistent anxiolytic benefits than THC-dominant formulations.
[5] Acute Effects of Oral Cannabinoids on Sleep and High-Density EEG in Insomnia: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.
Suraev Anastasia et al. | Journal of sleep research (2026)
A single dose of THC/CBD reduced total sleep time by approximately 24 minutes in insomnia patients, suggesting the combination may not improve sleep quantity. The study used advanced EEG monitoring to evaluate how these cannabinoids affect sleep architecture and next-day alertness in patients with diagnosed insomnia disorder.
[6] Cannabidiol Lacks Direct Effect on Cortical Excitability: A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled, 3-Way Crossover Trial.
Gorbenko Andriy A et al. | Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study found that cannabidiol (CBD) does not directly reduce brain electrical excitability in healthy individuals at doses of 30 mg or 700 mg when tested in isolation. The results suggest that CBD’s seizure-reducing effects in approved uses likely come from interactions with other anti-seizure medications rather than from direct effects on brain activity.
[7] Adolescent Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depressive, and Anxiety Disorders.
Young-Wolff Kelly C et al. | JAMA health forum (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This large population-based study found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of developing psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders during adolescence and young adulthood. The findings suggest that cannabis use during teenage years may have significant long-term consequences for mental health outcomes across multiple psychiatric conditions.
[8] A Randomized, Open-Label Trial to Assess Feasibility and Tolerability of Topical Cannabis Balms for the Treatment of Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Musculoskeletal Syndrome (AIMSS).
Zylla Dylan et al. | Cannabis and cannabinoid research (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This feasibility study tested whether topical cannabis balms could help relieve joint pain and stiffness that occurs in about two-thirds of women taking aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer treatment. The trial evaluated whether the treatment was practical to use and well-tolerated, with early evidence suggesting topical cannabinoids might reduce inflammation-related muscle and joint symptoms in this patient population.
[9] A single dose of cannabidiol modulates the relationship between hippocampal glutamate and learning-related prefrontal activation in individuals at Clinical High Risk of Psychosis.
Shi Yiling et al. | Psychiatry research. Neuroimaging (2026)
# Clinical Summary
A single dose of cannabidiol (CBD) altered the connection between glutamate levels in the hippocampus and brain activity in learning-related regions of the prefrontal cortex during memory tasks in people at high risk for developing psychosis. These findings suggest that CBD may work by modulating glutamate signaling in the brain, potentially offering a mechanism for how it could help prevent or delay psychotic symptoms in at-risk individuals.
[10] 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.
Gillham Scott H et al. | Medicine and science in sports and exercise (2026)
# Clinical Summary
A 10-week daily dose of a broad-spectrum CBD supplement (150 mg) resulted in detectable levels of prohibited cannabinoids like cannabigerol in athletes’ urine and blood, with exercise further increasing these concentrations. Athletes using these products risk failing anti-doping tests despite CBD itself not being prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
[11] Population reach, feasibility and acceptability of digital therapeutics for smoking cessation among people living with HIV: Results of the Quitting Matters pilot trial.
Vilardaga R et al. | Drug and alcohol dependence (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This pilot study tested a digital smoking cessation program designed specifically for people living with HIV (Learn to Quit-HIV) and compared it to a standard digital smoking cessation tool, evaluating whether the tailored program was feasible, acceptable, and effective for this population. The research aimed to determine if a personalized digital approach could help address the high rates of tobacco use among people with HIV, which significantly contributes to health problems and premature death in this group.
[12] Prevalence of schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorder among patients with cannabis induced psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Javed Mohammad Saad et al. | BMC psychiatry (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This systematic review found that a significant proportion of patients initially diagnosed with cannabis-induced psychosis later develop schizophrenia spectrum or bipolar disorder, indicating these conditions may represent early manifestations of primary psychiatric illness rather than purely substance-induced episodes. The findings suggest that standardized clinical guidelines are needed to better identify which patients with cannabis-induced psychosis are at highest risk for progressing to persistent mental illness and to guide appropriate long-term treatment strategies.
[13] Substance use patterns among individuals who consume alcohol during pregnancy: Results from a US multi-site study.
Bakhireva Ludmila N et al. | Drug and alcohol dependence (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study found that pregnant individuals who consume alcohol often use multiple substances concurrently, with patterns varying based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. Understanding these concurrent substance use patterns is important for identifying pregnant patients at highest risk for adverse fetal outcomes and tailoring prevention and treatment interventions.
[14] Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Is Associated with the Suppression of Circulating Maternal Cytokines.
Alshaarawy Omayma et al. | Cannabis and cannabinoid research (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with lower levels of immune signaling molecules called cytokines in the mother’s blood, suggesting that THC suppresses the maternal immune system during pregnancy. This immune suppression could potentially affect the mother’s ability to fight infections and may have implications for fetal development, though further research is needed to determine clinical outcomes.
[15] Effects of Cannabidiol on Social Relating, Anxiety, and Parental Stress in Autistic Children: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.
Parrella Nina-Francesca et al. | Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study tested whether CBD oil could help autistic children with social interaction, anxiety, and parental stress compared to placebo in a 12-week treatment period. The research involved 29 autistic children aged 5 to 12 years who received either CBD oil at 10 mg per kilogram of body weight daily or a matching placebo in a crossover design where participants tried both treatments.
[16] GPR3 in neuro-metabolic-immune-reproductive nexus – a potential therapeutic target for Multi-System diseases.
Feng Bi-Dan et al. | Annals of medicine (2026)
GPR3 is a receptor found across multiple body systems including the brain, liver, and ovaries that regulates important cellular processes like growth, maturation, and cell death through a signaling pathway called Gs activity. Targeting GPR3 may offer a new therapeutic approach for treating diseases that affect multiple systems simultaneously, such as metabolic, immune, reproductive, and neurological disorders.
[17] Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol oil in psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Roongpisuthipong Wanjarus et al. | The Journal of dermatological treatment (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This randomized controlled trial tested whether daily CBD oil (60 mg) could improve psoriasis symptoms compared to placebo in 28 patients. The study was designed to measure psoriasis severity and safety, though the abstract appears incomplete and does not present the actual results.
[18] CBD attenuates amygdala response to negative emotional stimuli in individuals with alcohol use disorder – a randomized controlled trial.
Pfisterer Marlen et al. | Psychopharmacology (2026)
This study found that cannabidiol (CBD) reduced activity in the amygdala, a brain region involved in processing negative emotions, when individuals with alcohol use disorder viewed distressing images. These findings suggest CBD may help reduce negative emotional responses that typically trigger alcohol cravings and relapse in people with alcohol use disorder.
[19] Impact of cannabidiol on myocardial recovery in patients with acute myocarditis: primary results of the ARCHER study.
McNamara Dennis M et al. | ESC heart failure (2026)
# Clinical Summary
The ARCHER Study investigated whether cannabidiol, a pharmaceutical compound with anti-inflammatory properties, could improve heart recovery in patients with acute myocarditis using cardiac imaging as a measure of effectiveness. This randomized controlled trial enrolled 109 patients diagnosed with myocarditis and tracked their cardiac outcomes over 12 weeks of treatment with either cannabidiol or placebo.
[20] Vaporized cannabis versus placebo for acute migraine: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Schuster Nathaniel M et al. | Headache (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This randomized controlled trial tested vaporized cannabis products with varying THC and CBD concentrations against placebo for treating acute migraine attacks. The study was designed to determine whether cannabinoids could effectively reduce migraine symptoms compared to placebo in adult patients.
[21] Cannabidiol blood metabolite levels after cannabidiol treatment are associated with broadband EEG changes and improvements in visuomotor and non-verbal cognitive abilities in boys with autism requiring higher levels of support.
Cazares Christian et al. | Translational psychiatry (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Boys with autism requiring higher support levels who received cannabidiol treatment showed improvements in visuomotor and non-verbal cognitive abilities when blood CBD metabolite levels were elevated. These cognitive improvements were associated with measurable changes in brain electrical activity patterns detected on EEG recordings.
[22] Effects of cannabidiol in alcohol use disorder patients with and without co-occurring post-traumatic stress disorder: Tolerability but no evidence for efficacy in two randomized proof-of-concept trials.
Bogenschutz Michael P et al. | Alcohol, clinical & experimental research (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Two randomized trials found that cannabidiol was well-tolerated in patients with alcohol use disorder, with or without post-traumatic stress disorder, but did not demonstrate effectiveness in reducing alcohol consumption or related symptoms. While cannabidiol showed acceptable safety, the studies provided no evidence that it offers therapeutic benefit beyond placebo for treating these conditions.
[23] Cannabis use measurement: Identifying the optimal metric for broad research applications.
Skrzynski Carillon J et al. | Addiction (Abingdon, England) (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Researchers compared different ways of measuring cannabis use (such as frequency of use, amount consumed, or THC content) to determine which method best reflects actual cannabis exposure in the body as measured by blood cannabinoid levels. The study examined whether sex and age affected these relationships to identify the most practical measurement approach for use in future cannabis research.
[24] Sleep apnea and substance use: a meta-analysis.
Mauries Sibylle et al. | Sleep medicine reviews (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This meta-analysis of 28 studies found that substance use, particularly alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioids, and cocaine, is associated with significantly higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores, indicating more severe sleep apnea in users compared to non-users. The findings suggest that substance use and obstructive sleep apnea have a bidirectional negative relationship, where each condition can worsen the other.
[25] Driving after cannabis consumption among US adults ages 50 years and older: A short communication.
Bonar Erin E et al. | Drug and alcohol dependence (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Among U.S. adults aged 50 and older who use cannabis, a significant proportion report driving after cannabis consumption, representing a potential safety concern in this aging population. The study examined the prevalence and risk factors associated with this behavior to inform age-appropriate prevention and education strategies.
[26] The Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Anxiety or Related Disorders: A Systematic Review.
Coles Ashlee R L et al. | Journal of dual diagnosis (2026)
Among people with anxiety disorders, the rate of co-occurring cannabis use disorder ranges from about 3% to 20% depending on the population studied. This review of 11 studies suggests that cannabis use disorder is a meaningful concern for individuals with anxiety disorders and warrants clinical attention during assessment and treatment planning.
[27] Neurodevelopmental, Pharmacological and Substance Use Factors in the Association Between ADHD and First-Episode Non-Affective Psychosis: A Systematic Review.
Ricci Valerio et al. | Early intervention in psychiatry (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This systematic review examined how childhood ADHD relates to the development of psychosis in adolescents and adults, looking specifically at how brain development differences, medications, and substance use may explain this connection. The researchers searched medical literature from 2001 to 2024 to understand whether ADHD increases psychosis risk and what factors might drive this association.
[28] Latent profiles of maternal psychopathology and risk for lifetime/perinatal substance use: Findings from the HBCD study.
Valdes Viviane et al. | Journal of affective disorders (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study identified distinct profiles of maternal mental health conditions and substance use patterns in pregnant women, rather than looking at individual disorders separately, and found that socioeconomic factors significantly influence which mental health problems and substance use patterns mothers experience during pregnancy. The research shows that many pregnant women have multiple co-occurring mental health and substance use issues that need to be addressed together as interconnected patterns rather than as isolated problems.
[29] Fear of recurrence, secondary cancers, and health problems in long-term survivors of childhood cancer: Findings from a Canadian cohort.
Tutelman Perri R et al. | Cancer (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Childhood cancer survivors in Canada experience significant fears about recurrence, secondary cancers, and health problems years after completing treatment. The study examined how these fears relate to survivors’ physical functioning, mental health symptoms, and substance use patterns to better understand the long-term psychological impact of cancer survivorship.
[30] Global burden of amphetamine, cannabis, cocaine and opioid use in 204 countries, 1990-2023: a Global Burden of Disease Study.
Kang Jiseung et al. | Nature medicine (2026)
Drug use disorders from amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, and opioids have increased globally from 1990 to 2023, with disability-adjusted life-years rising from 169.3 to 212.0 per 100,000 people. This study tracked disease burden across 204 countries, confirming that drug use disorders represent a growing public health challenge worldwide.
[31] Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Review.
Hsu Michael et al. | JAMA (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Cannabis and cannabinoids have FDA approval for treating HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and certain pediatric seizure disorders, with growing medical use among North American adults. Meta-analyses indicate modest but meaningful therapeutic benefits, though the evidence base remains limited for most other proposed medical applications.
[32] Short-term effects of cannabis legalisation in Germany on driving under the influence of cannabis: a difference-in-differences analysis using Austria as a control.
Schranz Anna et al. | The Lancet regional health. Europe (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study found that Germany’s April 2024 cannabis legalization and August 2024 driving limits had limited short-term effects on cannabis use rates and driving under the influence of cannabis among adults compared to Austria as a control group. The research also examined whether cannabis use while driving was combined with alcohol or other drugs to assess risks of impaired driving with multiple substances.
[33] Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and risk of substance use disorders among US veterans with type 2 diabetes: cohort study.
Cai Miao et al. | BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2026)
# Clinical Summary
A study of US veterans with type 2 diabetes found that starting GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with lower risks of developing new substance use disorders compared to other diabetes medications. Additionally, among veterans with pre-existing substance use disorders, GLP-1 receptor agonists were linked to fewer serious complications related to their substance use.
[34] Modulating the endocannabinoid system in alcohol use disorder: A translational systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical and human studies.
Costa Gabriel P A et al. | Molecular psychiatry (2026)
# Clinical Summary
Researchers reviewed 63 studies examining whether drugs that modify the endocannabinoid system could help treat alcohol use disorder, focusing on compounds that block or activate cannabinoid receptors in the brain. The findings suggest that endocannabinoid system modulators, particularly CB-1 receptor antagonists, show promise as a potential new treatment approach for alcohol use disorder, which currently has very limited medication options available.
[35] Reasons for cannabis use among adults with disabilities: Findings from the 2023-2024 National Survey on Health and Disabilities.
Schulz Jonathan A et al. | Disability and health journal (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study found that adults with disabilities use cannabis at higher rates than the general population, with common reasons for use including symptom management and pain relief related to their conditions. The research provides important information about why people with disabilities turn to cannabis, which can help inform discussions between patients and healthcare providers about treatment options and risks.
[36] Identifying vulnerable groups in academic burnout among higher education students: lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristic.
Holm Marja Eliisa et al. | BMC public health (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study identified that Finnish higher education students fall into distinct lifestyle groups based on physical activity, substance use, diet, and sleep patterns, with certain groups showing significantly higher rates of academic burnout. Students with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, particularly those with insufficient sleep, problematic substance use, and poor diet, were at substantially increased risk for experiencing academic burnout compared to their healthier peers.
[37] First-episode psychosis and substance use involvement across birth cohorts in Canada: a retrospective longitudinal population-based study.
Myran Daniel T et al. | The lancet. Psychiatry (2026)
I don’t have access to the complete abstract or the study’s results section, so I cannot provide an accurate summary of the key findings. To generate a proper clinical summary, I would need to see the results and conclusions sections where the actual findings are reported (such as incidence rates, trends across birth cohorts, or substance use patterns in first-episode psychosis). Could you provide the complete abstract or results section?
[38] Psychotic or Not, Mania Hurts: A 5-Year Cohort Study With a Spotlight on the Non-Psychotic Subtype and Mixed Features.
Andreu Helena et al. | Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This 5-year study found that non-psychotic mania causes significant harm and poor outcomes similar to psychotic mania, challenging the traditional view that psychotic symptoms are the main marker of severity in bipolar disorder. Both subtypes of mania resulted in comparable clinical impairment, treatment needs, and long-term outcomes, suggesting that the presence or absence of psychotic features alone does not determine disease severity or prognosis.
[39] Cannabis Use Among Individuals With Psychosis After State-Level Commercial Cannabis Legalization.
Hyatt Andrew S et al. | JAMA psychiatry (2026)
I don’t have access to the complete abstract or findings section of this paper, as the text appears to be cut off mid-sentence. To provide an accurate 2-sentence clinical summary of the key findings, I would need the full results and conclusions from the study.
If you can provide the complete abstract including the results and conclusions, I’d be happy to create the clinical summary you’re requesting.
[40] Association of Cannabis Use Disorder Versus Other Substance Use Disorders With Psychiatric Conditions: A Propensity-Matched Retrospective Cohort Analysis.
Nicholson Ryan C et al. | The American journal of psychiatry (2026)
# Clinical Summary
This study found that adults with cannabis use disorder alone had lower risks of developing depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders compared to those with other substance use disorders, suggesting cannabis may carry less psychiatric risk than alcohol, opioids, or stimulants. However, pediatric patients with cannabis use disorder showed higher risks for psychiatric conditions than those with other substance use disorders, indicating age-related differences in how cannabis affects mental health outcomes.
Digest generated March 16, 2026 at 05:48 PM
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