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Below is a breakdown of over 300 cannabis-related studies published in 2026. The title of each entry links to a full article covering the study, with each article also including a link to the study itself.
Cannabis Flower Extracts Inhibited Multiple Alzheimer’s-Related Enzymes and Protected Cells From Damage
Cannabis flower extracts inhibited three enzymes involved in biological processes linked to Alzheimer’s disease while protecting neuron-like cells from amyloid-related and oxidative damage. All four extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase and beta-secretase 1, with some fractions showing stronger activity than the whole extracts, although the research was conducted entirely in laboratory models.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Reduced Pain From Burning Mouth Syndrome in Placebo-Controlled Trial
A placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 26 adults with burning mouth syndrome found that full-spectrum CBD oil significantly reduced pain and improved quality of life. By the final assessment, median pain scores among CBD recipients had fallen to zero on a 10-point scale, compared with more than six among those receiving placebo.
Activating Cannabinoid Receptor Reduces Iron Overload-Induced Liver Damage
Activating the cannabinoid CB2 receptor significantly reduced liver damage, inflammation and iron accumulation in mice with iron overload. Treatment with a CB2 agonist reduced liver iron accumulation by 49% and serum ferritin by 20%, while mice lacking CB2 experienced substantially greater liver damage and iron buildup.
Medical Cannabis Associated With Sustained Endometriosis Pain Relief and Lower Opioid Use Over Two Years
A two-year study of 101 women with endometriosis found that prescribed medical marijuana was associated with sustained reductions in pain and improvements in quality of life, anxiety and sleep. Average daily opioid use also declined from 19.9 to 14.8 milligrams of oral morphine equivalents, although the observational study lacked a control group and cannot establish causation.
Cannabis Extracts Inhibit MRSA
Extracts from two high-CBD cannabis varieties inhibited methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in laboratory testing, with methanol extracts generally producing the strongest effects. The extracts did not show detectable antimicrobial activity against four other microorganisms tested, and researchers said the findings could provide a starting point for developing cannabis-based topical treatments for MRSA infections.
Freezing Helps Preserve THC Potency, While CBD Remains Stable at Room Temperature
A study examining marijuana flower, extracts, oils and isolated cannabinoids found that THC-rich products degraded significantly faster at room temperature, with THC converting into CBN over time. Freezing at −20°C provided the strongest protection against THC degradation, while CBD-only products remained highly stable even at room temperature.
CBD Enema Linked to Significant Symptom Improvements in Patients With Ulcerative Proctitis
A pilot study involving 14 patients with treatment-resistant ulcerative proctitis found that a daily enema containing CBD and sodium propionate was associated with significant reductions in disease activity, pain, rectal bleeding and stool frequency. Among the nine participants who completed 12 weeks of treatment, 55.6% achieved clinical remission, although the small open-label study lacked a placebo group.
THC May Promote Brain Cell Proliferation and Reduce Inflammation
THC increased a marker associated with cell proliferation and reduced inflammatory markers in the hippocampus of female rats, with some effects influenced by estrogen levels. Researchers also observed a trend toward increased expression of a neurogenesis-related marker, although the findings did not establish that THC increased production of mature new neurons.
Men and Women Experience Similar Effects From Smoked Marijuana Regardless of THC Potency
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 35 adults found minimal evidence of consistent differences between men and women in the acute effects of smoked marijuana containing up to 22% THC. Blood THC levels, subjective effects, mood and cognitive responses were largely similar, although women took longer to smoke and had lower THC concentrations in oral fluid.
THC Medication Significantly Reduces PTSD-Related Nightmares
A randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 171 adults with PTSD found that dronabinol, a prescription medication containing THC, significantly reduced the frequency and intensity of recurring nightmares compared with placebo. After 10 weeks, more than one-third of patients receiving dronabinol reported no nightmares, although overall PTSD severity and depression did not conclusively improve compared with placebo.
Patients Using THC- and CBD-Rich Cannabis Oil Report Favorable Quality of Life and Sleep Outcomes
A study of 71 medical marijuana patients using full-spectrum oil containing THC and CBD found generally favorable self-reported quality of life and sleep satisfaction. Better psychological wellbeing was associated with greater sleep satisfaction, although the study lacked baseline measurements and a control group and therefore could not establish that cannabis caused the reported outcomes.
Cannabis Extracts Show Antiviral Activity and Alter Immune Responses in Cells
Cannabis extracts containing different combinations of THC, CBD and CBG produced distinct effects on immune activity in laboratory testing, while THC-CBD, CBD-dominant and CBG-dominant extracts significantly reduced levels of bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 in infected cells. The findings remain preclinical and were produced using bovine immune and kidney-derived cell models.
CBD Protects Neuron-Like Cells From Damage in Parkinson’s Disease Model
CBD protected human neuron-like cells from oxidative and mitochondrial damage caused by several toxins used to model Parkinson’s disease. In one experiment, CBD pretreatment increased cell viability from 67.82% to 83.79%, with researchers finding that the Nrf2 antioxidant-defense pathway played an important role in the protective effect.
Cannabinoids Significantly Improve Insomnia Symptoms, Sleep Quality and Sleep Duration
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 2,134 participants found that cannabinoids significantly improved insomnia severity and sleep quality. Cannabinoid treatment was also associated with about 34 additional minutes of sleep per night, a 4.31% improvement in sleep efficiency and falling asleep approximately 12 minutes faster.
CBD Triggered Cell Death and Disrupted Growth in Fibrosarcoma Cells
CBD triggered programmed cell death and disrupted normal cell-cycle progression in human fibrosarcoma cells, with apoptosis increasing from 3.55% in untreated cells to 13.2% following treatment. Researchers also found reductions in proteins associated with cancer-cell survival and proliferation, although the laboratory study used CBD concentrations generally higher than those achieved through standard clinical dosing.
California Adult Marijuana Use Remained Largely Stable After Retail Sales Began, While Edible Use Rose
An analysis of 178,836 California adults found that overall marijuana use remained largely stable during the seven years following the launch of recreational sales. Past-year use was 22.1% in 2017 and 23.5% in 2024, a difference researchers say was not statistically significant, while edible use among current consumers rose from 40.3% in 2019 to 53.6% in 2024.
Cannabis Extract Reduced UVB-Induced Oxidative Stress in Melanoma Cell Model
A cannabis extract rich in neutral cannabinoids significantly reduced oxidative stress caused by ultraviolet B radiation and partially restored MITF, a protein important to pigment-producing cells, in a mouse-derived melanoma cell model. Researchers said the results support further investigation into cannabis-derived ingredients for protecting skin cells from sunlight-related oxidative damage.
Sound-Based Cultivation Protocol Nearly Doubled Marijuana Flower Yield
Marijuana plants exposed to a proprietary bioacoustic protocol produced an average of 59 grams of usable dry flower compared with 30.7 grams among controls, a 92.4% increase. Trimmed bud production increased 120.9% without an increase in THC potency, although researchers cautioned that the preliminary study involved only 36 plants, one cultivar and one cultivation facility.
Inhaled Marijuana Associated With Fewer Irregular Heartbeats in Randomized Clinical Trial
A randomized clinical trial involving 108 regular marijuana consumers found that inhaled marijuana was associated with 9% fewer ectopic, or irregular, heartbeats compared with days of abstinence. The difference was driven primarily by a 10% reduction in premature atrial contractions, while premature ventricular contractions did not change significantly.
Hemp May Alter Gut Microbiota and Reduce Harmful Bacteria in Livestock
A review of 16 studies found that hemp-derived feeds and cannabinoids may beneficially alter gut bacteria, fermentation and intestinal health in livestock. Among poultry studies, hemp products were associated with increases in beneficial bacteria and reductions in E. coli or coliform bacteria, while some research also suggested potential effects on intestinal-barrier function and methane production.
CBN and CBG With Melatonin Enhance Chemotherapy Against Glioblastoma Cells
CBN and CBG combined with melatonin produced synergistic reductions in human glioblastoma cell viability and significantly enhanced the effects of the chemotherapy drug temozolomide. The combinations worked across three genetically distinct glioblastoma cell lines, including those with p53 mutations, although the findings remain limited to cell-culture experiments.
Systematic Review Finds CBD Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects
A systematic review of seven experimental studies found that CBD produced antidepressant-like effects through multiple mechanisms involving neuroplasticity, inflammation and serotonin and norepinephrine signaling. CBD was associated with reduced depression-related behaviors and changes in inflammatory and neurogenesis-related pathways, although the evidence reviewed was preclinical and does not establish CBD as an effective treatment for depression in humans.
CBD-Dominant Cannabis Extract Reduced Symptoms and Restored Skin Barrier Proteins in Atopic Dermatitis Model
A CBD-dominant cannabis extract reduced redness, swelling, skin damage and inflammation in mice with atopic dermatitis while restoring proteins important for maintaining the skin barrier. The higher dose produced improvements comparable to the corticosteroid dexamethasone in several measurements, although the findings have not been tested in humans.
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Access Linked to Reduction in Poor Mental Health Among Older Adults
Access to a medical marijuana dispensary within a 30-minute drive was associated with a 3.77 percentage point reduction in the likelihood that New Yorkers ages 65 and older reported experiencing poor mental health days, representing a nearly 15% decline from baseline. The study examined geographic dispensary access rather than whether individual participants personally used marijuana.
Medical Marijuana Reimbursement Improved Pain and Reduced Opioid Use in Workers’ Compensation Case
A Colorado workers’ compensation case study found that reimbursed medical marijuana use was associated with reduced pain, improved physical functioning and quality of life, and a 17% voluntary reduction in monthly opioid use over 12 months. Researchers cautioned that the evaluation involved only one carefully selected patient and was primarily designed to assess the feasibility of marijuana reimbursement under coordinated care.
CBD Nanoparticles Suppressed Liver Tumor Growth
CBD delivered through tumor-targeting nanoparticles significantly inhibited liver tumor growth in mice, with effects comparable to the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide. The nanoparticles increased CBD’s apparent water solubility 367-fold and accumulated more strongly in tumors, but the findings remain preclinical.
CBD Oil Was Well Tolerated in Dogs With Osteoarthritis
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial involving 10 dogs with osteoarthritis found that oral CBD oil was generally well tolerated over four weeks, with only one case of mild diarrhea reported. The small study did not establish that CBD reliably reduced osteoarthritis pain but provided data to help design larger trials.
