Is marijuana getting too high on its own promises?
New research published Monday adds to the evidence that medical cannabis benefits for chronic pain are often overstated.
The scientific review comes as Americans are increasingly turning to the plant to cope with chronic pain, sleep difficulties, anxiety and a wide range of other health concerns.
But while nearly 9 in 10 adults support the use of cannabis-based medicines, the latest research suggests they offer no more than a placebo effect.
A review of 21 clinical trials involving more than 2,100 adults compared the effects of medicinal weed products to placebos on chronic nerve pain.
Three types of products were analyzed: those with THC (the psychoactive compound of marijuana), those with CBD (a compound that doesn’t cause a high) and combo THC/CBD items.
Researchers found that none of the three options reduced pain any more than placebo medications.
Those who were using THC products reported increased side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness, resulting in many patients potentially withdrawing from the trials due to these symptoms.
The research follows a 2025 review of over 2,500 studies that found “insufficient evidence” of the all-healing benefits of marijuana for most conditions.
The proof that it benefits insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis was deemed weak, limited or insufficient.
However, it can provide real relief for chemotherapy-induced nausea, boost weight in patients with HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss and ease certain severe pediatric seizure disorders.
Still, more research needs to be done on cannabis for pain relief.
“At present, the quality of most of the trials is too poor to draw firm conclusions,” said clinician Winfried Häuser, lead author of the latest review.
“We need larger, well-designed studies with a treatment duration of at least 12 weeks that include people with comorbid physical illnesses and mental health conditions to fully understand the benefits and harms of cannabis-based medicines.”
Other research has highlighted the potential risks of cannabis consumption.
Adolescents using high-potency cannabis face higher rates of psychotic symptoms and are more likely to develop generalized anxiety disorder, to name a few.
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