research digest 20 recent studies march 18 202

Research Digest: 20 Recent Studies – March 18, 2026

CED Clinical Relevance
#85 Research Authority
Peer-reviewed research curated for clinical relevance and evidence quality.

Recent research digest. 20 of 20 most recent studies from our monitored feeds.

CED Clinical Relevance #81 Research Authority

Short-Term Low Dose Cannabidiol Does Not Influence Glucose Tolerance or the Gut Microbiome in Sedentary Adults with Overweight and Obesity: Pilot Study.

Ewell Taylor R et al.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This pilot study found that short-term low-dose cannabidiol did not improve glucose tolerance or alter the composition of the gut microbiome in sedentary overweight and obese adults. The results do not support the hypothesis that cannabidiol’s potential protective effects against type 2 diabetes are mediated through improvements in glucose tolerance or changes to gut bacteria.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #82 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary Retired professional athletes from high-contact team sports show elevated rates of mental health symptoms, with key contributing factors including the psychological impact of career transition, history of repetitive head injuries, and loss of athletic identity. Protective factors such as strong social support networks, successful career planning, and access to mental health resources significantly improve well-being outcomes in this vulnerable population.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #83 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This randomized controlled trial tested whether cannabidiol (CBD) could reduce pain in fibromyalgia patients compared to placebo. The study was conducted as a double-blind trial at a specialized clinic in Denmark, with participants stratified by biological sex and age to ensure balanced comparison groups.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #84 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary Among adults using cannabis for anxiety relief, CBD-dominant flower products were associated with greater daily anxiety reductions compared to edibles, while THC-dominant products showed minimal anxiety benefits and potential for increased anxiety symptoms. Over the 30-day study period, the specific cannabis product type and delivery method (flower versus edible) significantly influenced whether participants experienced sustained anxiety improvements or worsening symptoms.

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #85 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

In this pilot study of 20 insomnia patients, a single dose of 10 mg THC combined with 200 mg CBD reduced total sleep time by approximately 24.5 minutes, suggesting that this cannabinoid combination did not improve sleep duration despite its popularity as a sleep aid. The study used high-density EEG to objectively measure sleep architecture and next-day alertness, providing detailed neurophysiological data that may help clarify how these cannab

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #86 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This study found that cannabidiol did not directly reduce cortical excitability in healthy adults at doses of 30 mg or 700 mg compared to placebo. The results suggest that cannabidiol’s seizure-reducing effects in patients likely come from interactions with other anti-seizure medications like clobazam rather than from direct effects on brain electrical activity.

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #87 Research Authority

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

Young-Wolff Kelly C et al.

JAMA health forum โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This study found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with increased risk of developing psychotic, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders during the teenage years and into young adulthood. The research used a large population-based group followed over time to examine whether cannabis exposure during adolescence leads to clinically diagnosed psychiatric conditions rather than just symptoms.

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #88 Research Authority

Drug Interactions in People on Cannabidiol: Is There Cause for Concern?

Downs Georgia et al.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This study examined whether cannabidiol (CBD) oil causes dangerous interactions with other medications in advanced cancer patients taking multiple drugs. The research used patient-selected dosing patterns and medication use to identify potential drug interactions between CBD and common cancer medications.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #89 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This feasibility study tested whether topical cannabis balms could help relieve joint pain and stiffness that commonly occurs in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitor medications. The trial was designed to evaluate whether the treatment was practical to use and safe, with potential benefits for reducing inflammation-related musculoskeletal symptoms.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #80 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary A single dose of cannabidiol appears to normalize the relationship between glutamate levels in the hippocampus (a brain region involved in memory) and prefrontal brain activity during learning tasks in people at high risk for developing psychosis. This finding suggests that cannabidiol may work by regulating glutamate, a key brain chemical involved in memory and learning processes that can become imbalanced in early psychosis.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #81 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary Athletes taking a daily broad-spectrum CBD supplement at 150 mg per day for 10 weeks developed detectable levels of prohibited cannabinoids in their urine and plasma, despite CBD itself not being banned by WADA. This accumulation of prohibited substances was further increased by exercise, potentially putting athletes at risk of failing anti-doping tests even though they were using a legal supplement.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #82 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This pilot study evaluated a digital smoking cessation program specifically designed for people living with HIV (Learn to Quit-HIV) and found it to be feasible and acceptable for reaching this high-risk population. Digital therapeutics show promise as a scalable approach to help people living with HIV quit smoking and reduce their excess disease burden.

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #83 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This systematic review and meta-analysis found that patients initially presenting with cannabis-induced psychosis have a significant risk of later being diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders or bipolar disorder, suggesting that some cases may represent the first manifestation of an underlying primary psychiatric condition rather than a purely substance-induced episode. The findings highlight the clinical importance of careful long-term follow-up and standardized assessment approaches for individuals with cannabis-induced psychosis, as current treatment guidelines

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #84 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This study of over 1,400 pregnant individuals found that alcohol use during pregnancy frequently occurs alongside other substance use, including cannabis, tobacco, and opioids, highlighting the complexity of substance use patterns in this population. The research identified specific factors associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, providing important data to help clinicians understand and address polysubstance use during pregnancy.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #85 Research Authority

Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Is Associated with the Suppression of Circulating Maternal Cytokines.

Alshaarawy Omayma et al.

Cannabis and cannabinoid research โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary Pregnant women who used cannabis had lower levels of immune signaling molecules called T helper cytokines in their blood compared to non-users. This finding suggests that cannabis use during pregnancy may suppress the maternal immune system, which could have implications for the health of both mother and fetus during pregnancy.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #86 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This study tested whether CBD oil could improve symptoms in autistic children aged 5 to 12 years using a rigorous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design where participants received either active CBD or placebo for 12-week periods. The trial evaluated whether CBD at a dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight daily could help with social skills, anxiety, and parental stress in this population.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #87 Research Authority

GPR3 in neuro-metabolic-immune-reproductive nexus – a potential therapeutic target for Multi-System diseases.

Feng Bi-Dan et al.

Annals of medicine โ€ข 2026

GPR3 is a receptor found throughout the body that regulates multiple systems including the brain, reproduction, immunity, and metabolism by controlling cell growth, death, and differentiation. Targeting GPR3 may offer therapeutic potential for treating diseases that involve dysfunction across multiple organ systems simultaneously.

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #88 Research Authority

Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol oil in psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Roongpisuthipong Wanjarus et al.

The Journal of dermatological treatment โ€ข 2026

I don’t have access to the complete abstract or results section of this study, as the text appears to be cut off. To provide an accurate clinical summary of the key findings, I would need the actual results showing whether CBD oil was effective compared to placebo and what safety outcomes were observed. If you can provide the complete abstract including the results and conclusion sections, I’d be happy to generate the 2-sentence clinical summary you requested.

PubMed | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #89 Research Authority

CBD attenuates amygdala response to negative emotional stimuli in individuals with alcohol use disorder – a randomized controlled trial.

Pfisterer Marlen et al.

Psychopharmacology โ€ข 2026

# Clinical Summary This randomized controlled trial found that cannabidiol (CBD) reduced activity in the amygdala (the brain’s emotion processing center) when people with alcohol use disorder viewed negative emotional images, suggesting it may help decrease the negative feelings that trigger alcohol cravings. These findings indicate that CBD could potentially address the emotional drivers of alcohol addiction, which current approved medications do not adequately treat.

PubMed | PMC PDF | DOI

CED Clinical Relevance #80 Research Authority

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 โ€ข 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 measures that predict patient outcomes. This double-blind placebo-controlled trial randomized 109 patients diagnosed within 10 days of myocarditis to receive treatment for 12 weeks while monitoring cardiac function by magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed | DOI


Digest generated March 18, 2026 at 11:17 PM