Cannabis is not an effective treatment for common mental health conditions, says review

"Researchers concluded there was very little evidence for its efficacy in treating anxiety, anorexia nervosa, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder or opioid use disorder. Experts from universities in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia and Bath in England undertook the largest and most comprehensive analysis to date of the evidence for using cannabinoids cannabis-based therapies to treat substance misuse and mental health disorders."

"The medical products can reduce dependence on cannabis, relieve the symptoms of Tourette syndrome and help insomniacs sleep better, according to some evidence analysed by the researchers. They also seem to help reduce autistic traits displayed by those with autism spectrum disorder, although those findings were based on low quality evidence."

"There were no significant effects on outcomes associated with anxiety, anorexia nervosa, psychotic disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid use disorders, they wrote in The Lancet Psychiatry after reviewing 54 randomised controlled trials involving 2,477 participants."

A comprehensive review of 54 randomized controlled trials involving 2,477 participants found minimal evidence supporting cannabis as a treatment for common mental health conditions. Researchers from Australian and English universities analyzed cannabinoid therapies for substance misuse and mental health disorders, prompted by legalization in multiple countries. While some evidence supports cannabis for reducing cannabis dependence, relieving Tourette syndrome symptoms, and improving sleep, no significant effects were found for anxiety, anorexia nervosa, psychotic disorders, PTSD, or opioid use disorders. Insufficient evidence exists for ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, and tobacco use disorder. Despite patients citing mental illness as primary reasons for medical cannabis use, the research contradicts this therapeutic application.

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