No, research does not show that cannabis treats depression, and regular use is linked to a small increase in the risk of developing it. A 2019 review of 42 studies in The Lancet Psychiatry found scarce evidence that cannabinoids improve […]
No, cannabis has not been shown to prevent, slow or treat Alzheimer’s disease itself. Small clinical trials suggest THC-based drugs such as nabilone and dronabinol may modestly reduce agitation in people with advanced Alzheimer’s, but they cause drowsiness, the evidence […]
Yes, one cannabis compound is a proven epilepsy treatment: purified cannabidiol (CBD), sold as the prescription drug Epidiolex, is FDA-approved for seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex in patients 1 year and older. For other […]
Does marijuana lower IQ? Research suggests frequent cannabis use that starts in adolescence is linked to a small IQ drop, about 2 points on average in a 2021 meta-analysis, while the evidence that occasional adult use lowers IQ is weak. […]
There is no reliable evidence that cannabis treats post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The only randomized trial of smoked cannabis, in 80 military veterans, found it worked no better than placebo, and the 2023 VA/Department of Defense treatment guideline recommends against […]
No, cannabis has not been shown to treat Huntington’s disease or slow its progression. Three small controlled trials of CBD, nabilone and nabiximols (a THC and CBD spray) found the drugs were reasonably safe but produced little or no consistent […]
THC affects the brain by imitating the body’s own cannabinoid chemicals and switching on CB1 receptors, which are spread through brain regions that handle memory, coordination, reward, emotion and time perception. That is why one dose can produce a high, […]
THC impairs motor function for several hours after use, slowing reaction time and weakening coordination and the ability to track a moving target, which is why cannabis raises crash risk. Its effect on pain is more subtle: in lab studies […]
Cannabis may reduce tics in some adults with Tourette syndrome, but the evidence is limited: a handful of small randomized trials of THC or THC-plus-CBD found modest improvement, while the largest trial, of the spray nabiximols, missed its main goal. […]
Marijuana acts on the central nervous system mainly through CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which is why THC changes memory, movement, mood, appetite, pain and body temperature. Research supports a few medical uses tied to the […]
