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New research finds no evidence that cannabinoids help with anxiety or depression.

In fact, it makes mental health conditions worse.

A massive systematic review led by the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre has sent shockwaves through the medical community by challenging the efficacy of cannabis for mental health.

Analyzing 54 randomized controlled trials spanning four decades, researchers found that cannabinoids failed to outperform placebos in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD—the primary reasons many patients seek prescriptions. While sales of medicinal cannabis have tripled in recent years, this landmark study suggests that the public image of the drug as a mental health "cure-all" is largely unsupported by rigorous clinical data, highlighting a significant gap between patient perception and scientific reality.

Despite the findings regarding psychiatric conditions, the study reaffirmed the drug's value for specific physical ailments. High-quality evidence remains strong for reducing seizures in epilepsy, managing muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and alleviating chronic pain or chemotherapy-induced nausea. However, for conditions like ADHD and bipolar disorder, the researchers noted a severe lack of data, rendering current prescribing habits more anecdotal than scientific. This comprehensive review serves as a critical reality check for regulators and healthcare providers, emphasizing that clinical proof must catch up to the rapidly growing global demand for medicinal cannabis products.

source: University of Sydney Matilda Centre. (2026). Safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry.

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