A comparative network analysis to explore cancer patient experiences with cannabis

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This study examined how people with cancer described the benefits and barriers they encountered when using CBD-only products compared with products containing both CBD and THC.

The findings point to a meaningful difference in patient experience: pain relief was especially prominent among those using CBD+THC products, while participants across the study also reported benefits including improved sleep, physical relaxation, emotional regulation, and reduced use of other medications.

“Introduction: Approximately 20% of cancer patients report cannabis use, yet only 30% of oncologists feel sufficiently informed to make recommendations on its use. This study aimed to visualize the network of themes that arise within cancer patients’ reported experiences with cannabis.

Materials and methods: Data was collected via an online survey of 65 patients who self-reported the use of cannabis in their treatment for cancer, details about the cannabis product(s) being used, their perceived benefits and problems associated with cannabis use, their reasons for starting cannabis use, and any reasons for stopping cannabis use. Epistemic Network Analysis (ENA) was used to compare two groups of cancer patients: 1) those who only used CBD-dominant products (CBD-only group) versus 2) those who used cannabidiol (CBD)- and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products (either CBD-dominant and THC-dominant cannabis products or cannabis products containing a balanced ratio of both CBD and THC; CBD+THC group).

Results: Cannabis use conferred therapeutic benefits for several health issues commonly encountered by cancer patients. Common benefits reported across the cohort of patients included pain relief, improved sleep, physical relaxation, emotional regulation, and reduction of concomitant medication. The most frequently reported barriers to cannabis use were the stigma associated with THC use and the high cost of CBD-dominant and THC-dominant products. Pain relief emerged as the most prominent, interconnected theme reported by the CBD+THC group, whereas emotional regulation was the most prominent theme for the CBD-only group.

Conclusion: Symptom relief differed based on the cannabinoid composition of the cannabis products. The following trends emerged, which must be confirmed with larger samples: pain relief was more prominent in responses from users of CBD+THC, whereas emotional regulation was more prominent in only the users of CBD-only products. These findings are a step toward assisting cancer patients and providers with clinical decision-making on cannabis use. This study highlights the continued perception of stigma associated with THC use and the need for insurance coverage of medicinal cannabis to reduce the financial burden for this patient population. Finally, this study exemplifies the value of ENA in studying the therapeutic utility of cannabis with qualitative data.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42666469

“Pain relief is more frequently reported among users of CBD+THC products.”

“Emotional regulation is more frequently reported among users of only CBD.”

“Overall, pain relief was the most frequently discussed benefit and was associated with other benefits: emotional regulation, sleep or physical relaxation, and medication reduction. Primary patient concerns were stigma and cost.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1737119/full

Cannabidiol Suppresses Glioma Growth and Limits Invasion Partly Through an LOXL2-Associated EMT-Like Program

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A new study found that cannabidiol (CBD) suppressed glioma growth and reduced tumor-cell migration and invasion in laboratory and animal models. The researchers linked part of this effect to reduced LOXL2 activity, suggesting CBD may interfere with molecular programs that help glioma cells spread into surrounding brain tissue.

The study adds new mechanistic evidence to the growing body of research examining CBD as a potential therapeutic compound in glioma and glioblastoma.

“Background: Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, remain difficult to control because diffuse infiltration into surrounding brain tissue limits complete resection and contributes to recurrence. Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid capable of entering the central nervous system, has shown antitumor activity in glioma models, but the mechanisms underlying its anti-invasive effects remain unclear. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) regulates extracellular-matrix remodeling and mesenchymal phenotypes in several cancers. We therefore tested the hypothesis that CBD limits glioma growth and invasion partly by suppressing an LOXL2-associated extracellular-matrix and EMT-like program.

Methods: Human U87 and murine GL261 glioma cells were used to examine CBD effects on tetrazolium-based cell viability, clonogenic growth, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The two cell lines provided complementary human and murine models, and the immunocompetent intracranial GL261 model enabled syngeneic in vivo validation. RNA sequencing and public glioma datasets were used to identify and contextualize CBD-responsive molecules. Mechanistic involvement was tested by determining whether LOXL2 knockdown phenocopied and LOXL2 overexpression attenuated the anti-invasive effects of CBD.

Results: CBD reduced glioma-cell viability and clonogenicity, induced G1-phase arrest and apoptosis, and suppressed migration and invasion. C CCK-8-derived IC50 values (mean ± SD, n = 3) at 24, 48, and 72 h were 36.5 ± 0.3, 26.7 ± 0.3, and 21.4 ± 0.3 μM in U87 cells and 33.3 ± 0.2, 29.3 ± 0.2, and 25.5 ± 0.4 μM in GL261 cells, respectively. CBD treatment was accompanied by reduced MMP2 and MMP9 expression and increased TIMP3 expression. Transcriptomic profiling identified LOXL2 as a prominent CBD-downregulated molecule, and public datasets associated higher LOXL2 expression with aggressive molecular features and shorter overall survival. LOXL2 silencing reproduced the antimigratory and anti-invasive phenotype, whereas LOXL2 overexpression enhanced cell motility and partially attenuated the effects of CBD. The partial rescue involved vimentin, MMP9/TIMP3, EMT-related transcription factors, and F-actin-rich protrusions. In vivo, CBD reduced intracranial tumor burden and produced tissue changes consistent with lower proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and suppression of the LOXL2-associated mesenchymal program.

Conclusions: CBD suppresses glioma growth and limits invasion, at least in part, by attenuating an LOXL2-associated EMT-like and extracellular-matrix-remodeling program. Because LOXL2 overexpression produced only a partial rescue and direct target engagement was not tested, LOXL2 should be interpreted as a functional mediator rather than the sole or direct molecular target of CBD. These findings support further validation in patient-derived and pharmacokinetically informed glioma models.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42661582

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/bmri/6385332

Chronic THC exposure modulates behavioral outcomes and endocannabinoid signaling in HIV-1 Tg26 mice in a sex-dependent manner

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Researchers examined how chronic THC exposure affects behavior and endocannabinoid signaling in an HIV-1 mouse model.

Chronic THC helped attenuate the decline in motor coordination and was associated with increased CB1 receptor expression in the cerebellum. The study also found major sex-dependent differences, with female and male mice showing different patterns of motor impairment and endocannabinoid signaling.

THC did not produce detectable pain-relieving effects in this model, but the findings suggest that chronic THC can influence HIV-related neurological changes through the endocannabinoid system.

Overall, the study highlights the complex relationship between THC, HIV-associated neurological dysfunction, and biological sex.

“While combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transitioned HIV-1 into a manageable chronic condition, it fails to eradicate latent viral reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS) that drive persistent neuroinflammation and synaptodendritic injury. Consequently, people living with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) often utilize cannabis to manage neurological symptoms, yet the long-term impact of exogenous cannabinoids on the HIV-1-burdened brain remains poorly understood.

In this study, we utilized the HIV-1 Tg26 mouse model to evaluate how chronic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, 3mg/kg) exposure influences motor coordination, thermal nociception, and endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling in the context of constitutive viral protein expression.

Our results demonstrate that HIV-1 viral protein expression was associated with impaired acquisition of cerebellum-dependent motor learning in a sex-dependent manner. This deficit was primarily driven by females and coincided with altered markers of eCB plasticity, characterized by elevated monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) expression and a depletion of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Conversely, males exhibit increased cerebellar CB1R and CB2R expression, which paralleled preserved rotarod performance. In the spinal cord, viral protein expression was associated with thermal hyposensitivity and a reduction in 2-AG and cannabinoid receptor levels, a pattern consistent with HIV-1-associated alterations in sensory processing circuits.

While chronic THC failed to produce detectable antinociceptive effects, consistent with spinal CB1R downregulation, it successfully attenuated the temporal decline of motor coordination with upregulating cerebellar CB1R. Data from a separate acute THC cohort demonstrated detectable THC and metabolite concentrations in plasma and cortex, while also revealing sex- and genotype-dependent differences in these measures.

Together, these findings identify sex-specific eCB signaling as a critical factor associated with the neurobiological response to HIV-1 proteins and provide a biological framework for understanding sex-dependent variability in cannabinoid efficacy.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42660238

“Collectively, these results provide a biological framework for understanding sex-dependent variability in cannabinoid responses and support the inclusion of sex as a key factor in the development of cannabinoid-based adjunct therapies for chronic neuroinflammatory conditions.”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923026003862?via%3Dihub

Cannabis laws and health-related workplace absenteeism in the United States

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A new U.S. study examining more than three decades of employment data found that medical cannabis decriminalization was associated with fewer health-related work absences, with some of the strongest effects appearing in physically demanding occupations and industries where chronic pain is common.

The findings suggest that access to medical cannabis may have implications not only for individual patients, but also for workforce participation and productivity.

“This study evaluated the impact of medical and recreational cannabis laws in the United States on health-related workplace absenteeism across different demographics, occupations, and industries.

Using state-level variation in the timing of cannabis decriminalization and the onset of regulated sales, we applied a flexible difference-in-differences approach to monthly data from the Current Population Survey, covering the period from January 1990 to March 2025.

The findings indicate that medical cannabis decriminalization reduced the likelihood of health-related work absences by about 6.9%, with decriminalization having a larger quantitative effect and greater statistical significance than the commencement of regulated sales.

We found no significant effect of recreational cannabis legalization on health-related workplace absenteeism. The absenteeism-reducing effects of medical cannabis decriminalization were notable in occupations (e.g., manual laborers, machine operators) and industries (e.g., manufacturing, agriculture, construction) where conditions more predisposed to cannabis treatment (e.g., chronic pain associated with physical work) are prevalent.”

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15555240.2026.2680016#abstract

“University of Georgia study links legal marijuana use to fewer sick days”

https://www.livenowfox.com/news/university-georgia-study-links-legal-marijuana-use-fewer-sick-days

Lower Rates of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Observed Among Cannabis Users: A Population-Based Study

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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer and remains a major cause of cancer death worldwide.

In a population-based study involving more than 101 million U.S. hospital patients, researchers found a striking association between cannabis use and HCC: after adjusting for multiple potential confounding factors, patients with documented cannabis use were 55% less likely to have hepatocellular carcinoma than patients without documented cannabis use.

The study adds large-scale human observational evidence to earlier preclinical research examining cannabinoids and liver cancer.

“Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. The association between HCC and cannabis has been identified in mice; however, to our knowledge has not been identified in humans. Therefore, we aim to investigate the relation between HCC and cannabis use in humans.

Methods: Using data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2002 and 2014, we identified the patients with HCC and cannabis use diagnosis using the International Classification of Disease 9th version codes (ICD-9). Then, we identified patients without cannabis use as the control group. We adjusted for multiple potential confounders and performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine the association between cannabis abuse and HCC.

Results: A total of 101,231,036 patients were included in the study. Out of the total, 996,290 patients (1%) had the diagnosis of cannabis abuse versus 100,234,746 patients (99%) in the control group without cannabis abuse. We noticed that patients with cannabis abuse were younger (34 vs 48 years), had more males (61.7% vs 41.4%) and more African Americans (29.9% vs 14.2%) compared with the control group (P<0.001 for all). Besides, patients with cannabis use had more hepatitis B, hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, and smoking, but had less obesity and gallstones, (P<0.001 for all). Using multivariable logistic regression, and after adjusting for potential confounders, patients with cannabis abuse were 55% less likely to have HCC (adjusted Odds Ratio {aOR}, 0.45, 95% Confidence Interval {CI}, 0.42-0.49, P<0.001) compared with patients without cannabis abuse.

Conclusion: Based on our large database analysis, we found that cannabis use patients were 55% less likely to have HCC compared to patients without cannabis use. Further prospective studies are needed to assess the role of cannabis use on HCC.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35651376

“Our analysis revealed that cannabis users were 55% less likely to have HCC compared to non-cannabis users.” 

https://www.cureus.com/articles/90568-lower-rates-of-hepatocellular-carcinoma-observed-among-cannabis-users-a-population-based-study#!

Essential Oils from Seed-Depleted Infructescences of Industrial Hemp: Chemical Diversity and Biological Potential

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Industrial hemp is increasingly being studied not only for cannabinoids, fiber and seed products, but also for valuable compounds that can be recovered from plant material often treated as agricultural waste.

In this study, researchers examined essential oils obtained from seed-depleted hemp infructescences and found substantial chemical diversity along with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The results suggest that this underused post-harvest material may have potential value in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and oral healthcare applications.

The findings also highlight another way hemp biomass could be more fully utilized rather than discarded.

“Industrial hemp is a chemically rich plant increasingly explored within sustainable production systems aimed at the full utilization of all plant fractions. While hemp inflorescences have been extensively investigated, the biological potential of seed-depleted infructescences remains largely underexplored.

This study compared essential oils (EOs) distilled from inflorescences and seed-depleted infructescences of hemp (Cannabis sativa L. cv. Futura 75).

Their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, effects on blood coagulation, and antibacterial activity against a panel of 11 Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and microaerophilic bacterial strains were evaluated.

The major EO constituents included α-Pinene, (E)-Caryophyllene, Myrcene, α-Humulene, Caryophyllene oxide, and Cannabidiol.

EOs obtained from seed-depleted infructescences exhibited distinct chemical profiles, low cytotoxicity toward BJ human skin fibroblasts, minimal haemolytic activity, no significant effects on blood coagulation, and, in most cases, stronger antibacterial activity than inflorescence-derived EOs. Particularly high activity was observed against skin- and oral-associated bacteria, including Cutibacterium acnes and Streptococcus species.

These findings demonstrate that seed-depleted infructescences represent underutilized post-harvest biomass and a valuable and sustainable source of biologically active EOs, supporting their further investigation for potential pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and oral healthcare applications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42653967

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13365-026-01338-2


Impact of cannabis use on white matter hyperintensities in adults with and without chronic HIV disease

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People living with HIV can develop changes in the brain’s white matter even when the virus is well controlled with antiretroviral therapy, raising questions about whether cannabis use adds to that neurological burden.

In this study of 296 adults with and without HIV and cannabis use, researchers used MRI imaging to examine white matter hyperintensities and their relationship to neurocognitive function.

The findings help clarify whether cannabis use independently contributes to these brain changes or meaningfully alters their impact in people living with chronic HIV.

“White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH), even with sustained viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy. This study investigated whether cannabis use contributes to additional WMH load among PLWH and its association to neurocognitive function.

A total of 296 adult participants, stratified by HIV and cannabis status (74 control, 73 cannabis-only, 76 HIV-only and 73 HIV+cannabis) were enrolled. High resolution anatomical MRI and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were collected, along with a battery of neuropsychological tests. Periventricular (pvWMH) and deep (dWMH) WMH loads were quantified using an automated pipeline. Statistical tests were employed to examine the main and interaction effects of HIV and cannabis use on WMH, and to explore the association of WMH loads with neuropsychological performance. The cohort had a mean age of 39.84 years, and all PLWH had sustained viral suppression.

pvWMH loads were higher in the cannabis-only and HIV-only groups compared to controls. A significant interaction effect of HIV by cannabis was found for pvWMH load, such that participants with co-occurring HIV and cannabis use had similar pvWMH load compared to controls. In addition, increased pvWMH load significantly correlated with lower cognitive performance.

Our findings suggest that cannabis use does not contribute additively to WMH burden in PLWH and may potentially be associated with a reduced WMH burden. However, future work is warranted to substantiate this finding, particularly with respect to type and levels of circulating cannabinoid metabolites.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42658415

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13365-026-01338-2


Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol in Dysbiosis-Related Oral Biofilm Diseases: Antibiofilm, Antivirulence and Host Response Evidence

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Dental caries and periodontal disease are driven in part by harmful shifts in the microbial communities that form oral biofilms, making new approaches to controlling those biofilms an important area of research.

In this review, researchers examined the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) and found evidence that it may inhibit biofilm formation, reduce microbial virulence, modulate periodontal inflammation and support tissue-protective responses.

The findings highlight CBD as a potential future adjunct for oral health, particularly in conditions linked to microbial dysbiosis such as tooth decay and periodontal disease.

“Dysbiosis-related oral biofilm diseases, particularly dental caries and periodontal diseases, pose major global health challenges because ecological shifts within oral microbial communities enhance biofilm virulence, resilience, and host inflammatory responses.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with antimicrobial, antibiofilm, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties, has attracted increasing interest as an investigational, ecology-oriented adjunct for oral health applications.

This narrative review evaluates current antibiofilm, antivirulence, and host response evidence for CBD in dysbiosis-related oral biofilm diseases, with emphasis on dental caries and periodontal diseases and selected supportive evidence from other oral biofilm-associated conditions.

Current evidence suggests that CBD can inhibit biofilm formation, attenuate cariogenic and fungal virulence traits, modulate periodontal inflammation and immunity, and support tissue-protective responses. However, most evidence remains preclinical and model-dependent, particularly in caries research, and CBD’s hydrophobicity, limited stability, uncertain dose windows, and incomplete microbiome-level evidence remain major barriers to translation.

Future studies should clarify CBD’s ecological effects on oral microbial communities, define clinically relevant dosing and exposure timing, and develop oral-retentive delivery systems.”

“Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with multi-target pharmacological properties, including rebalancing gut microbial homeostasis, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, and antioxidant effects, has garnered attention in dentistry, particularly regarding dysbiosis-related oral biofilm diseases.”

“Accumulating evidence supports further investigation of CBD in dysbiosis-related oral biofilm diseases, particularly dental caries and periodontal diseases.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/19/8/1221

The Potential of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Psychosis: Endocannabinoid Regulation of Serotonergic Neurotransmission via Serotonin 5-HT1A/2A Receptors

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Psychosis involves complex changes in brain signaling, including systems regulated by serotonin and the endocannabinoid system. Cannabidiol (CBD) has drawn growing interest because it may influence both.

This review examines how CBD may affect serotonergic neurotransmission through 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, while also interacting with the endocannabinoid system in ways relevant to psychotic disorders.

The evidence supports continued investigation of CBD as a potential therapeutic approach for psychosis and related symptoms.

“Cannabis, widely used for both medical and non-medical purposes, primarily contains Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

This review aims to clarify how the molecular and receptor-level mechanisms of CBD, compared with Δ9-THC, shape its distinct therapeutic profile and low liability for addiction, thereby informing the safer clinical application of CBD-containing interventions to schizophrenia.

CBD exerts sedative and therapeutic effects, including in treatment-resistant epilepsy, and acts in part via CB1 and CB2 receptors that also mediate Δ9-THC actions. While Δ9-THC activates these receptors as an agonist, triggering Gi-coupled signaling cascades such as MAPK pathways and suppressing presynaptic monoamine release, CBD functions as a non-competitive negative allosteric CB1 modulator and non-competitive antagonist of Δ9-THC. These distinct intracellular signaling mechanisms are considered to underlie the markedly different pharmacological profiles and abuse liabilities of Δ9-THC and CBD.

CBD also engages multiple CNS targets beyond CB1 and CB2, including GPR55, TRPV1 and ENT1, which are implicated in anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and neuroprotective actions. Although GPR55 pharmacology remains controversial and Δ9-THC shows inconsistent activity at this receptor, converging evidence indicates that CBD can antagonize CB1/CB2 and modulate atypical cannabinoid-sensitive proteins. Excessive activation of certain serotonin receptors, including 5-HT1A/2A, are thought to underlie some symptoms of psychosis.

These diverse molecular actions are thought to underlie CBD’s broad therapeutic potential across seizures and other CNS disorders, providing a mechanistic rationale for exploring CBD as a treatment option for psychosis in schizophrenia and stimulant-induced psychotic states.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42658346/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11064-026-04860-1

Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Medical Potential of Cannabidiol in Mental and Neurological Disorders

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Cannabidiol (CBD) has become one of the most widely studied cannabis compounds for its potential effects on the brain and nervous system.

This review examines evidence across a range of mental and neurological disorders, including anxiety, depression, psychosis, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases and other conditions involving altered brain signaling or inflammation.

The research highlights CBD’s broad therapeutic potential while helping clarify the biological mechanisms that may underlie its effects.

“Background/Objectives: Mental and neurological disorders contribute substantially to the global burden of disease, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. As their prevalence increases with age, their overall impact is expected to grow in the coming decades. Although psychological and pharmacological treatments are available, many patients fail to achieve satisfactory outcomes, underscoring the need for improved therapeutic strategies. Cannabis sativa L. has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and cannabidiol (CBD) has attracted increasing attention because of its broad therapeutic potential. Scientific studies indicate that CBD may be beneficial in several mental and neurological disorders. 

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify articles investigating the therapeutic potential of CBD and cannabis in selected disorders. 

Results: Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies, together with findings from the broader cannabis literature, indicates that CBD may offer therapeutic benefits in a range of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorders, and epilepsy. Emerging data also support its potential use as an adjunctive therapy for COVID-19. Current research has improved understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these disorders and the molecular pathways through which CBD may exert its effects. CBD has demonstrated good tolerability, with predominantly mild adverse effects and a favorable safety profile. 

Conclusions: Despite promising findings, many available studies are preclinical or involve small patient cohorts, and the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of CBD remain incompletely understood. Further well-designed, randomized, controlled, multicenter trials are needed to establish the efficacy and safety of CBD and support its integration into clinical practice.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42653735

“The Cannabis plant has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, with therapeutic indications mentioned in the medical texts of ancient civilizations.”

“These findings support the safety and clinical applicability of CBD and further suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent.”

“CBD is a promising therapeutic candidate for several mental and neurological disorders.”,

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/19/8/1238