Medical cannabis is often used to treat chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions, but recent research suggests that it may not be as effective as thought. A comprehensive review of over 2,500 studies published between 2010 and 2025 found that most medical cannabis uses lack scientific backing.
The review, led by UCLA Health, prioritized studies with large samples and recency to determine the effectiveness of medical cannabis for various conditions. However, the findings show that pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids have only demonstrated effectiveness in a narrow range of conditions, such as HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and severe pediatric seizure disorders.
For most other conditions, including chronic pain, the evidence remains inconclusive or lacking. Current clinical guidelines recommend against cannabis-based medicines as first-line treatment for chronic pain, despite over half of people using medical cannabis reporting its use for this purpose.
The review also highlights potential health risks associated with cannabis use, including increased rates of psychotic symptoms and cardiovascular risks in adolescents who use high-potency products. Daily use of cannabis may be linked to higher rates of coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke compared to non-daily use.
To ensure safe treatment options for patients, clinicians should carefully evaluate potential drug interactions and assess whether the benefits outweigh the risks before considering medical cannabis. The review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis.
Source: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/evidence-lacking-medical-cannabis-most-conditions