bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
August 4, 2026
Conor H. Murray, Michael Angyus, Sam Suchin et al.
preprint
Abstract Altered states of consciousness (ASC) refer to states that differ markedly from normal waking consciousness. ASC may occur spontaneously, such as in dreaming, or through consciousness modifying techniques, from meditation, to cannabis and psychedelics. The etymology behind the term psychedelic, meaning mind-manifesting, is based on the hypothesis that certain substances, including...
Brain Research Bulletin
August 1, 2026
Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala, Laith E. Sawaqed, Caitlin J. Huguely Wilkinson et al.
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...
Psychiatry Research
August 1, 2026
C. Bharat, Xin-Tong Huang, G. Campbell et al.
BACKGROUND Interest in cannabinoids for mental and substance use disorders is increasing. We examined experimental and observational evidence for treating these disorders and their symptoms. METHODS Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42023467536). We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO to May 2025 for studies of cannabinoids in adults (≥18 years) with ADHD, anxiety,...
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
August 1, 2026
Anna Willert, Laura Von Hardenberg, Laura Holzner et al.
ABSTRACT Background Despite the high prevalence of comorbid cannabis use at first onset of psychotic symptoms, high transition rates from cannabis‐induced psychosis to schizophreniform psychoses and bipolar disorder, and evidence of cannabis use as a risk factor in developing primary psychosis, only a few studies have addressed the difficulties in differential diagnosis focusing on the early...
Healthcare
August 1, 2026
Nicole Ennis, Katie Kloss, Alyssa Flores
Introduction: Epidemiological data indicate that over half of people who consume cannabis report anxiety reduction as a reason for use. Anxiety is frequently cited as a primary motivation for cannabis use among both medical and recreational consumers. The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders in the United States is approximately 34% with more recent data suggesting that the figure may be as...
Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
August 2026
Sophia H. Blyth, Lauren D Hill, Anna Huang et al.
Adolescent substance use is associated with increased risk of suicide, overdose, and executive dysfunction. Alcohol and marijuana are the two most-used substances among young people. Substance use is associated with dysfunctional resting-state network connectivity between the default mode network (DMN), executive control network (ECN), and salience network (SN) and executive dysfunction. There...
Biological Psychiatry
August 1, 2026
Carl M. Stevens, Hannah Pincham, M. Large
BACKGROUND Increases in cannabis use, potency, and legal liberalization have raised concerns about psychiatric consequences. Previous studies suggest an association between cannabis use and earlier age at onset (AAO) of psychosis, but an updated meta-analysis is needed. METHODS MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo were searched from inception to April 2025. Peer-reviewed cohort and case-control...
International Journal of Drug Policy
August 1, 2026
Myfanwy Graham, Yimin Ge, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula et al.
1 citation
We know little about the extent psychedelic substances are consumed therapeutically and/or discussed with medical professionals despite renewed global interest in these substances. We examined self-reported responses from the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) in repeated cross-sectional surveys in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. The survey included questions...
Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry
July 31, 2026
A. S. S. Ariyaratne, H Jayasinghe J. A. P., Prasangika Seneviratne Alles
Catatonia is a syndrome of psychomotor disturbance occurring in association with various psychiatric, medical, or substance-related conditions. In this report we describe a 31-year-old male with no past psychiatric history who presented with features of catatonia in the context of heavy cannabis use with recent escalation. This case highlights cannabis as a potential precipitant of catatonia...
Archives of Psychiatry and Mental Health
July 29, 2026
Diamond Onyekachi Okoroezi
Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the neuropsychiatric effects of cannabis, focusing on the contrasting roles of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It evaluated their associations with psychiatric outcomes, assessed the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based products (CBPs), and identified evidence gaps relevant to clinical practice and mental health...