It is not uncommon to find cannabis products that may advertise their ability to manage ailments such as insomnia, anxiety, pain and depression. Historically, the cannabis industry has thrived on anecdotal evidence, an approach that has become muddled between emerging legal guidelines and faltering scientific research. According to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, there is a lack of evidence that supports claims about cannabis’ potential mental health benefits.
Authors of the study noted that as it currently stands, there is “poor research” that supports claims of cannabis and its health benefits. “There is low-certainty evidence that Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)–predominant cannabis may not improve symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and there is largely insufficient evidence to characterize the effects of long-term THC-predominant cannabis use on anxiety, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,” the authors wrote. Findings of the study included a risk of cannabis use and mania symptoms for those with bipolar disorder, and “an increase in psychotic symptoms among people with psychotic spectrum disorders.” Three in 10 people who used cannabis within a year experienced cannabis use disorder (CUD), which is defined by the inability to stop using cannabis despite the problems it may cause socially or financially.
The study also examined the use of products with high amounts of THC among teenagers and young adults, finding a higher risk of developing psychosis, CUD and self-harm for individuals with mood disorders.
“The current evidence base is not sufficient to support the use of cannabis for the treatment of mental health conditions and demonstrates substantial risks of adverse effects. Clinicians should engage patients with mental health conditions in discussions about cannabis use because use is common, has an influence on mental health symptoms, and is likely an important modifiable risk factor for mental health conditions in some populations,” the authors of the study concluded. The study did note, however, that there is emerging but limited evidence that supports using cannabis to reduce anxiety.
Gaps in research surrounding the medical and scientific impacts of cannabis have remained an issue alongside cannabis legalization in the United States. Proponents of cannabis legalization have suggested that reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I substance, or removing the substance altogether, would expand opportunities to research cannabis. As it stands, a Schedule I drug has no medical value, making government-supported research difficult for scientists. A reclassification of cannabis would allow for less roadblocks from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), increased federal funding, along with giving scientists access to studying products currently sold at dispensaries.
Considering that medical cannabis was reclassified in states with existing medical programs, conducting research across the 41 states, plus the District of Columbia, where cannabis is medically legal, the expansion of cannabis research could be feasible in the near future. Until then, the authors of the study suggest consulting with a medical professional when gauging if cannabis is an adequate tool for managing certain symptoms
