# Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Comprehensive Review > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-cannabinoid-applications-review/ > **Published:** 2026-03-26T02:15:09-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:38:47-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore therapeutic cannabinoid applications with evidence-based insights on FDA-approved uses and clinical benefits in this comprehensive review. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #100High Clinical Relevance  Strong evidence or policy relevance with direct clinical implications. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic NauseaAppetite[Evidence-Based Medicine](https://cedclinic.com/digital-health-expertise-modern-challenge/)Fda ApprovalMeta-Analysis Journal JAMA Study Type Randomized Trial Population Human participants Why This Matters This JAMA review synthesizes the current evidence base for therapeutic cannabis use, providing clinicians with a comprehensive assessment of where we have robust data versus areas requiring more research. With over a quarter of North American adults reporting [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) use, understanding the actual evidence quality becomes essential for informed clinical guidance. Clinical Summary This comprehensive review examines therapeutic cannabinoid applications, highlighting FDA-approved indications including HIV/AIDS-related anorexia, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and specific pediatric seizure disorders. Meta-analyses demonstrated modest but statistically significant benefits for cannabinoids in reducing nausea and vomiting across various causes (SMD -0.29), with moderate effects on [appetite stimulation](https://cedclinic.com/dronabinol-hiv-wasting-syndrome-appetite-weight-gain/) in HIV/AIDS patients. The review contextualizes these findings against the backdrop of widespread off-label use, with 27% of US/Canadian adults reporting [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) experience and 10.5% using CBD therapeutically. Dr. Caplan’s Take “This review reinforces what I see clinically—we have solid evidence for a narrow set of conditions, but patients are using cannabis far more broadly than our evidence supports. The modest effect sizes remind me that cannabinoids are therapeutic tools, not miracle cures, requiring the same evidence-based approach as any other medication.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should focus counseling on FDA-approved indications where evidence is strongest, while acknowledging the limited but growing research base for other conditions. For patients already using cannabis therapeutically, this review supports structured conversations about realistic expectations, proper dosing, and monitoring for both benefits and adverse effects. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Therapeutic%20Use%20of%20Cannabis%20and%20Cannabinoids%3A%20A%20Review.%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296368/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296368/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Therapeutic%20Use%20of%20Cannabis%20and%20Cannabinoids%3A%20A%20Review.%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296368/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296368/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296368/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[What medical conditions have FDA approval for cannabinoid treatment?](#What_medical_conditions_have_FDA_approval_for_cannabinoid_treatment) - [How effective are cannabinoids for treating nausea and vomiting?](#How_effective_are_cannabinoids_for_treating_nausea_and_vomiting) - [What’s the difference between CBD and other cannabinoids in terms of psychoactive effects?](#What8217s_the_difference_between_CBD_and_other_cannabinoids_in_terms_of_psychoactive_effects) - [How commonly do people use cannabis for medical purposes?](#How_commonly_do_people_use_cannabis_for_medical_purposes) - [Do cannabinoids help with appetite and weight gain in HIV/AIDS patients?](#Do_cannabinoids_help_with_appetite_and_weight_gain_in_HIVAIDS_patients) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### What medical conditions have FDA approval for cannabinoid treatment? The FDA has approved cannabinoids for three specific conditions: HIV/AIDS-related anorexia, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and certain pediatric seizure disorders. These represent the most well-established therapeutic uses with rigorous clinical evidence supporting their safety and efficacy. #### How effective are cannabinoids for treating nausea and vomiting? Meta-analysis of randomized [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) shows that prescribed cannabinoids like dronabinol and nabilone provide a small but statistically significant reduction in nausea and vomiting compared to placebo or other medications. The standardized mean difference was -0.29, indicating modest but clinically meaningful benefit for patients with chemotherapy-induced or cancer-related nausea. #### What’s the difference between CBD and other cannabinoids in terms of psychoactive effects? CBD (cannabidiol) does not have psychoactive effects, unlike THC-containing cannabinoids. An estimated 10.5% of the US population uses CBD specifically for therapeutic purposes, making it an attractive option for patients seeking medical benefits without the “high” associated with other [cannabis compounds](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-terpene-synergy-entourage-effect/). #### How commonly do people use cannabis for medical purposes? Approximately 27% of adults in the US and Canada report having ever used cannabis for medical purposes. Additionally, about 10.5% of the US population specifically uses CBD for therapeutic reasons, indicating widespread interest in cannabinoid-based treatments. #### Do cannabinoids help with appetite and weight gain in HIV/AIDS patients? Meta-analysis of randomized [clinical trials](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-emotional-memory-ptsd-treatment/) in HIV/AIDS patients demonstrates that cannabinoids have a moderate effect on increasing body weight. This finding supports the FDA approval of cannabinoids for HIV/AIDS-related anorexia and provides evidence-based treatment options for this challenging clinical condition. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “Therapeutic Use of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: A Review.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296368/”, “about”: “jama randomized trial therapeutic use cannabis”, “isPartOf”: “JAMA”} [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: Evidence-Based Pediatric Care](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-use-pediatric-epilepsy-clinical-trials/) Explore clinical trials focusing on cannabinoid use in pediatric care, highlighting evidence-based approaches and outcomes. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-use-pediatric-epilepsy-clinical-trials/) [Cannabinoids in Mental Health Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-mental-health-substance-use-disorders-review/) A comprehensive review of cannabinoids' role in mental health treatment, summarizing current research and clinical implications. [Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-mental-health-substance-use-disorders-review/) [Cannabinoids for Anxiety & Tourette's: Evidence from Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-formulations-anxiety-disorders-evidence-reviews/) Review evidence on cannabinoids for anxiety and Tourette's syndrome, providing insights from systematic reviews and meta-analyses. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-formulations-anxiety-disorders-evidence-reviews/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).