Huge Study Finds No Evidence Cannabis Helps Anxiety, Depression, or PTSD

Science Daily ^

[nickcarraway]

Date: March 20, 2026

Source: University of Sydney

Summary:

The largest review of medicinal cannabis to date found it doesn’t effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite millions using it for those reasons. Researchers warn it could even make mental health worse, raising risks like psychosis and addiction while delaying proven treatments. Some limited benefits were seen for conditions like insomnia and autism, but the evidence is weak. The findings are fueling calls for stricter oversight as cannabis use continues to rise.

Cannabis Fails for Mental Health

A sweeping new analysis finds medicinal cannabis doesn’t work for anxiety, depression, or PTSD—and may even make mental health worse. Credit: Shutterstock

A major paper published in The Lancet reports that medicinal cannabis does not effectively treat anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The analysis is the largest to date examining both the safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids across a wide range of mental health conditions.

These findings arrive at a time when cannabis use for medical purposes is widespread. About 27 percent of people aged 16-65 in the United States and Canada report using cannabis medically, and roughly half of them say they use it to manage mental health symptoms.

Lead author Dr. Jack Wilson from the University of Sydney's Matilda Centre said the results raise serious questions about approving medicinal cannabis for conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

"Though our paper didn't specifically look at this, the routine use of medicinal cannabis could be doing more harm than good by worsening mental health outcomes, for example a greater risk of psychotic symptoms and developing cannabis use disorder, and delaying the use of more effective treatments," he said.

Limited Evidence for Other Conditions

The researchers did find some indications that medicinal cannabis might help in certain cases.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: cannabis; marijuana; money; pot; reefermadness

[nickcarraway]

The marijuana wahabbists won't like this.

[ransomnote]

Well said!

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Heavy users of the more powerful dope develop paranoia and schizophrenia.

[albie]

It actually intensifies these issues.

[OKSooner]

Yes. Only amplifies PTSD, etc.

[j.havenfarm]

Well of course it does. Sedating the patient does nothing to address their problem. The “medical marijuana” hoax was just the first step to legalization

[albie]

Dying and in extreme pain? Sure. Why not. Otherwise, it’s just an excuse to be buzzed 24/7. Medical marijuana is BS

[escapefromboston]

Not really too surprising

[know.your.why]

“Huge Study”. Why did that make me chuckle?

[nickcarraway]

And the main purpose of legalization was to get single payer healthcare.

[PTBAA]

But it does help with junkfood sales.

[Organic Panic]

As a non frequent user nothing has worked for my light induced migraines like marijuana. It also helped with alcohol withdrawals when I quit. I don’t much care for the high but it works and is cheap. One puff stops a migraine in minutes. But indeed extended use does make people pretty numb and dumb. I’ve watched it with people with whom I grew up.

[Responsibility2nd]

 

This happy couple seems to have no problems with Anxiety, Depression or PTSD.

[Skywise]

Could’ve told you this years ago…

[Organic Panic]

Reminds me when I use to manufacture extraction equipment. My friend’s wife had crippling spinal pain and I gave her some 100% THC distillate to help with the nerve pain until she could get scheduled for surgery. Worked amazing. The first night, she put a little bit in some ice cream and was bouncing off the walls happy as could be and the nerve pain was drastically reduced. She never had it before and was wondering why she was craving junk food. We had to explain “you’ve got the munchies” so we went and got some Doritos for her.

[Republican Wildcat]

How could it “help” when it can literally cause similar things?

[crusty old prospector]

Far out, man.

[PROCON]

“Dave’s not here, man.”

[Republican Wildcat]

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4070560/posts Cases of Cannabis-Induced Psychosis Rise. Lawmakers Want to Add Mental Health Warnings to Pot Products

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3739774/posts Marijuana and psychosis: Real data, real bad

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4359926/posts
Deadly Oklahoma weed shootings expose network tied to New York money and China: report

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4368992/posts
Link Between Cannabis and Anxiety, Depression Has ‘Strengthened Over Time’: New Study

[Uncle Miltie]

BUT MY FRONT YARD STILL SMELLS LIKE SKUNKS ALL DAY!!!

I wish I could fart in their bedroom every night before bed.