#85 Research Authority
Peer-reviewed research curated for clinical relevance and evidence quality.
Recent research digest. 30 of 30 most recent studies from our monitored feeds.
Towards treatments targeting the gut to improve behavioural outcomes in autism spectrum disorder.
Munira Mst Shirajum et al.
Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)
• 2026
Autism spectrum disorder frequently occurs alongside gastrointestinal symptoms that are associated with increased irritability and behavioral problems. Treating gut-related issues may be a promising approach to improve behavioral outcomes and quality of life in autistic individuals, particularly those who require significant support.
Medical Cannabis Use in Autism: Insights from an Israeli HMO on Patient Characteristics and Alignment with National Guidelines.
Sadeh Hadar et al.
Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study examined Israeli patients with autism who were prescribed medical cannabis under national guidelines requiring prior trials of FDA-approved antipsychotics, aiming to characterize who received this treatment and whether prescribing practices followed regulatory requirements. The research used real-world data from a large health organization to evaluate how closely medical cannabis prescribing for autism aligned with the Ministry of Health’s strict clinical criteria.
UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A two-year case series of clinical outcomes in depression.
Lillywhite Elizabeth et al.
Journal of affective disorders
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Patients with depression treated with cannabis-based medicinal products showed improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms measured over 24 months according to the UK Medical Cannabis Registry data. The study tracked patient-reported outcomes and safety information to evaluate whether this treatment approach was effective and tolerable in real-world clinical practice.
Substance and Behavioural Addictions Among Evacuees: Findings From Israeli Swords of Iron War.
Rubin Gabriella et al.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Israeli young adults evacuated during the Swords of Iron war showed increased rates of anxiety and depression compared to non-evacuated peers. Evacuees also reported higher levels of problematic substance use (alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs) and behavioral addictions (gambling, gaming, pornography), with mental health symptoms appearing to mediate this relationship.
Neural reward sensitivity and longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use in college-aged youth.
Byrd Kathryn J et al.
Drug and alcohol dependence
• 2026
I don’t have access to the complete abstract or results section of this paper, so I cannot provide the specific key findings. The abstract excerpt provided only describes the background and research question. To generate an accurate 2-sentence clinical summary, I would need to see the results and conclusions sections where the study’s actual findings are reported. Could you provide the complete abstract including the results and conclusions?
The role of cumulative adverse childhood experiences in the interrelationships among addictive behaviors: A network analysis study.
Veneziani Giorgio et al.
Addictive behaviors
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study of 802 Italian adults found that people who experienced multiple adverse childhood events showed stronger connections and overlapping patterns across different types of addiction, including substance use, gaming, and overeating. The cumulative number of childhood traumas was more important than specific individual traumas in determining how different addictive behaviors were interconnected in adults.
Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Cannabis in the United States: A Brief Report on Current Trends.
Bonar Erin E et al.
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
• 2026
Currently, half of the 38 US states permitting medical cannabis recognize Alzheimer’s Disease as a qualifying condition, though it accounts for less than 1% of all medical cannabis certifications. Notably, the acceptance of Alzheimer’s Disease as a qualifying condition appears to be decreasing in states that have legalized recreational cannabis.
Cannabis stigma and symptom management considerations in cancer survivors: a mixed-methods exploration of patient perspectives.
Levy Sera et al.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This mixed-methods study of 23 cancer survivors found that stigma surrounding cannabis use significantly influenced attitudes and decision-making about using cannabis for symptom management, with users and non-users expressing different perspectives on its acceptability. The research identified that cancer survivors face barriers related to social stigma when considering cannabis as a therapeutic option, despite potential benefits for managing cancer-related symptoms.
Oregon Adults’ Cannabis and Alcohol Use: Associations With Local Cannabis Retail Access, 2014-2022.
Kerr David C R et al.
American journal of preventive medicine
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study of Oregon adults from 2014-2022 found that greater local access to cannabis retailers was associated with increased cannabis use, with stronger effects among younger adults. The research did not find consistent evidence that cannabis retail access significantly affected alcohol use patterns among adults in the state.
Age differences in endocannabinoid tone are ameliorated after recent cannabis use.
Morris Alan W J et al.
Scientific reports
• 2026
Older adults had lower baseline levels of naturally occurring endocannabinoids compared to younger adults, suggesting an age-related decline in the body’s own cannabinoid system. Cannabis use temporarily increased endocannabinoid levels in older adults, partially restoring their levels to those seen in younger individuals.
Joint Association of Methamphetamine and Cannabis Use as Risk Factors for Asthma Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization: A Retrospective Analysis.
Musa Amal M et al.
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study found that methamphetamine use, particularly when combined with cannabis, significantly increased the risk of severe asthma exacerbations requiring hospitalization in adults. Patients who used both drugs together had worse outcomes compared to those using either substance alone or neither, suggesting a synergistic effect on asthma severity.
Management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with an erector spinae plane block in the emergency department.
Gawel Richard J et al.
The American journal of emergency medicine
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causes severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in chronic cannabis users that typically doesn’t respond well to standard medications. A thoracic erector spinae plane block, which numbs nerves in the upper back to reduce abdominal pain signals, provided complete symptom relief in one patient and allowed discharge from the emergency department without hospital admission.
L-Malic acid from Cissus gongylodes induces cannabinoid-mediated antinociception in mice.
Calazans Marla Oliveira et al.
Journal of ethnopharmacology
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Researchers found that L-malic acid extracted from Cissus gongylodes, a South American plant traditionally used by indigenous tribes to treat pain and inflammation, produces pain-relieving effects in mice through cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This discovery suggests that L-malic acid may have potential as a new pain medication for treating acute pain conditions.
Endocannabinoids, perioperative pain, and acetaminophen in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study.
Clendenen Nathan et al.
Pain reports
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study examined how knee replacement surgery and acetaminophen affect the endocannabinoid system (the body’s natural pain and inflammation control mechanism) and whether changes in endocannabinoid levels predict pain improvement after surgery. The research aimed to understand whether acetaminophen influences these natural pain-relieving chemicals and whether monitoring them could help predict which patients will have better pain relief after knee replacement.
Immunomodulatory effect of Cannabis root extract on inflammatory cascades via endocannabinoid system regulation.
Jin Hye-Lin et al.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies
• 2026
Regular cannabinoid use and inflammatory biomarkers: Systematic review and hierarchical meta-analysis.
Belvederi Murri Martino et al.
Brain, behavior, and immunity
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This systematic review examined whether regular cannabis use affects inflammation markers in the blood and found inconsistent results across studies, making it unclear whether cannabinoids increase, decrease, or have no effect on inflammation in healthy people or those with psychiatric disorders. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to analyze data from multiple studies, but the evidence was too varied to reach firm conclusions about cannabis and inflammation.
Gray Matter Volume Loss in Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis and Cannabinoid Receptor Gene Expression in the Brain.
Pisani Sara et al.
Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Researchers found that gray matter volume loss in Parkinson’s disease patients with psychosis is associated with reduced expression of cannabinoid receptor genes (CB1 and CB2) in brain tissue, suggesting the endocannabinoid system may play a role in psychotic symptoms. This finding indicates that cannabinoid system dysfunction could contribute to psychosis in Parkinson’s disease alongside the previously known dopamine and serotonin pathway abnormalities.
Unmasking hazardous compounds in cannabidiol-containing oils using planar bioassays and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Haase Annika et al.
Talanta
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Researchers analyzed 13 cannabidiol (CBD) oils and discovered they contained multiple potentially harmful compounds beyond just CBD, including substances with antimicrobial, estrogenic, androgenic, and cytotoxic effects. This study highlights that commercially available CBD products may pose unknown health risks due to unidentified active compounds that warrant further investigation and product regulation.
Corrigendum to “A systematic review of highly purified cannabidiol in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and complex treatment-resistant epilepsies: Changes in seizure frequency and adverse events” [Epilepsy Res. 220 (2026) 1-1/107731].
Coppola Antonietta et al.
Epilepsy research
• 2026
CARE – A Retrospective, Dual-Cohort, 24-Week Real-World Study from the German Pain e-Registry on the Effectiveness and Safety of CBD-Dominant Oral Cannabis Extracts versus THC/Dronabinol in Older Patients with Chronic Pain.
Überall Michael A et al.
Journal of pain research
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This 24-week real-world study compared CBD-dominant cannabis extracts to THC/dronabinol in adults aged 65 and older with chronic pain, evaluating their safety and effectiveness as alternatives to conventional pain medications. The research used data from a German pain registry to assess whether CBD-rich cannabis products could offer a better risk-benefit profile than THC-based treatments in older patients who often take multiple medications.
Morphological, Physiological, and biochemical responses of two industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars to different levels of topping.
Chavalina Spyridoula et al.
Journal of cannabis research
• 2026
Not what it seems: analytical validation and label accuracy of commercial CBD oils using HPTLC.
Morales Alfaro Keilor et al.
Journal of cannabis research
• 2026
Elucidating the role of ABC transporters in the placental efflux of (-)- Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) using a cocktail of ABC transport inhibitors.
Balhara Ankit et al.
Placenta
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study found that THC is actively pumped out of the fetus back toward the mother across the placenta through the action of two drug-transport proteins, P-gp and BCRP, which work through multiple binding sites to prevent fetal THC exposure. When multiple inhibitors were used together to block these transport proteins, more THC passed from mother to fetus, confirming that these pumps are the primary mechanism protecting the developing fetus from
Vaping Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) in liquid forms: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and regulatory implications.
Block Ashleigh C et al.
Expert review of clinical pharmacology
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This review identifies a critical knowledge gap, as no human studies have yet characterized how the body absorbs, distributes, and responds to THC when vaped in liquid formulations despite their growing popularity. The authors propose using existing research on smoked cannabis and nicotine e-cigarettes to understand THC vaping’s pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, which is essential for establishing effective cannabis regulations and guiding future research.
Cannabidiol in Neurology: Current Insights and Translational Perspectives.
Białoń Magdalena et al.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating compound from cannabis that has demonstrated therapeutic potential for neurological disorders through its antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties in multiple preclinical and clinical studies. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce psychoactive effects, making it a promising candidate for clinical development in treating various neurological conditions without the risk of intoxication.
Cannabinoids and drug-drug pharmacokinetic interactions: Deciphering the risks.
Papakyriakopoulou Paraskevi et al.
British journal of clinical pharmacology
• 2026
# Clinical Summary Cannabinoids, which are compounds derived from cannabis used for conditions like chronic pain, depression, epilepsy, and anxiety, can interact with other medications through shared metabolic pathways and enzyme systems. These drug-drug interactions pose potential risks that need careful consideration, particularly as cannabis legislation changes and recreational and medical use becomes more widespread.
Unveiling Neurological Benefits: A Review of Hemp Leaf, Flower, Seed Oil Extract, and Their Phytochemical Properties in Neurological Disorders.
Purushothaman Atchuthan et al.
Cannabis and cannabinoid research
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This review examines how compounds derived from hemp plants, including cannabinoids and other plant chemicals, may help protect nerve cells and reduce symptoms in neurological diseases like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Hemp-derived treatments show promise as potential alternatives to conventional medications, which often have significant side effects, though further clinical research is needed to establish their safety and effectiveness.
Motivations for Cannabis Use During Pregnancy: An Analysis of 2017-2021 Pregnancy Assessment Monitoring System Data.
Skelton Kara R et al.
Journal of women’s health (2002)
• 2026
# Clinical Summary This study analyzed national data from 2017-2021 to describe why pregnant women used cannabis and whether their reasons varied by demographic factors and frequency of use. The research identified patterns in cannabis use motivations among pregnant women to better understand this increasingly common behavior and inform clinical counseling and public health interventions.
Pharmacogenetic association study of cannabis use in chronic pain.
Beauchesne William et al.
Journal of cannabis research
• 2026
Digest generated March 16, 2026 at 06:50 PM
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