Intl. Academy on the Science & Impact of Cannabis

Cannabis-induced psychosis represents a significant and growing public health concern that requires urgent attention from clinicians, researchers, and policymakers. media.sciltp.com/articles/25080…

🧬 IASIC Blog Spotlight: Marijuana & Your DNA Did you know long-term marijuana use may actually influence how your genes function? New research shows that persistent cannabis use is linked to epigenetic changes—meaning it can alter gene activity without changing your DNA itself. These changes have been associated with pathways involved in immune response, brain development, and even disease risk. Even more concerning, many of these patterns closely resemble those seen in long-term tobacco users, raising important questions about shared health impacts. While some effects may be reversible, the long-term implications are still not fully understood—and deserve more attention. 👉 Read the full blog to learn more: conta.cc/3NnCRsX #ISAIC #CannabisResearch #PublicHealth #MentalHealth

What role does cannabis use play in mass violence? Join us for an important IASIC Speaker Series presentation featuring Dr. Ragy R. Girgis of Columbia University, who will share findings from the Columbia Mass Murder Database examining the role of cannabis use and policy in mass shootings. Dr. Girgis is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers on severe mental illness. 🗓 March 25, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 PM EST 💻 Free Online Webinar This important discussion will explore emerging research at the intersection of mental health, public safety, and cannabis policy. 🔗 Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… Please share with colleagues, educators, clinicians, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the science and public health implications. #PublicHealth #CannabisResearch #MentalHealth #IASIC

🥼New research from Lancet Psychiatry is challenging a widely held belief about medical cannabis and mental health. A large-scale review found little to no evidence that medical cannabis effectively treats anxiety, depression, or PTSD—despite its growing popularity for these conditions. Even more concerning, some findings suggest potential risks, including worsening symptoms or delaying access to proven treatments. 👉 What this means: • Popular doesn’t always mean evidence-based • Mental health treatment still requires clinically validated approaches • More high-quality research is urgently needed As conversations around cannabis continue to evolve, this is a reminder for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients alike: evidence must lead the narrative—not trends. #MentalHealth #Healthcare #Research #EvidenceBased #Cannabis 🔗thelancet.com/journals/lanps…

There was some evidence that cannabinoids can reduce symptoms of cannabis use disorder, insomnia, tic or Tourette's syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder, but the quality of this evidence was generally low. Cannabinoids were associated with a greater risk of any adverse events but not of serious adverse events. Overall, there is a crucial need for more high-quality research. Given the scarcity of evidence, the routine use of cannabinoids for the treatment of mental disorders and SUDs is currently rarely justified. 🔗 Read the full study: thelancet.com/journals/lanps… #MentalHealth #Science #Cannabis #PublicHealth

🧠 New Research: Cannabis Abstinence and PTSD Symptoms A recent study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry explored the effects of extended cannabis abstinence in individuals living with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cannabis use disorder (CUD). Researchers found that participants who maintained 12 weeks of verified cannabis abstinence experienced significantly greater reductions in PTSD symptom severity and overall symptom count compared with those who continued using cannabis.  The findings challenge the common belief that cannabis helps manage PTSD symptoms. Instead, the study suggests that continued cannabis use may hinder recovery, while abstinence may support improvements in symptoms such as avoidance, negative mood, cognition, and hyperarousal.  These results highlight the importance of screening for cannabis use and integrating substance-use treatment into PTSD care to support better mental health outcomes. 🔗 Learn more about the research:
psychiatrist.com/jcp/effects-ex… #MentalHealthResearch #PTSD #CannabisUseDisorder #PublicHealth

🧠 New Research Highlights Potential Risks of Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Emerging research from Western University suggests that prenatal exposure to cannabis may influence biological markers linked to schizophrenia risk in children. Scientists found that THC—the psychoactive component of cannabis—can alter gene activity in the placenta, which plays a critical role in fetal brain development. The placenta acts as a “record” of conditions during pregnancy. When researchers examined placental tissue exposed to THC, they observed changes in genes previously associated with schizophrenia risk and neurodevelopmental outcomes.  While more research is needed, these findings add to growing evidence that cannabis use during pregnancy may affect long-term brain development and highlight the importance of prevention and education for expectant parents.  🔗 Learn more about the study:
news.westernu.ca/2026/03/prenat… #PublicHealth #CannabisResearch #BrainDevelopment #Prevention

We regularly hear from families struggling to understand sudden mental health changes in their children. A new qualitative study by Gerhardt et al. (2025) highlights the experiences of parents whose children developed serious mental health problems following cannabis use. Researchers interviewed parents who reported observing: • Significant behavioral and psychological changes after cannabis use • Severe mental health crises affecting their children • Emotional and financial strain on the entire family • Difficulty getting clinicians to recognize cannabis as a contributing factor These parents are asking for something very important: greater awareness of cannabis-related mental health risks, better clinician education, and stronger prevention efforts for youth. As cannabis potency increases and perceptions of risk decline, it is critical that healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities listen carefully to these family experiences. Prevention, early recognition, and honest conversations about risk are essential to protecting developing brains. #YouthMentalHealth #CannabisResearch #PublicHealth #BrainHealth pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39934567/

Many people use medical marijuana for chronic pain, sleep, and depression. But new research in JAMA says it may not really work. Instead, it may cause new health problems. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addict…

What role does cannabis use play in mass violence? Join us for an important IASIC Speaker Series presentation featuring Dr. Ragy R. Girgis of Columbia University, who will share findings from the Columbia Mass Murder Database examining the role of cannabis use and policy in mass shootings. Dr. Girgis is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers on severe mental illness. 🗓 March 25, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 PM EST 💻 Free Online Webinar This important discussion will explore emerging research at the intersection of mental health, public safety, and cannabis policy. 🔗 Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… Please share with colleagues, educators, clinicians, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the science and public health implications. #PublicHealth #CannabisResearch #MentalHealth #IASIC

Study Alert 🧠🌿 A large genetic study of 131,000+ people published in Nature’s Molecular Psychiatry found that cannabis use is partly influenced by genetics. Researchers identified genes linked to: • Risk-taking and impulsivity • Brain signaling pathways • Other substance use and mood traits Why it matters: Understanding who may be genetically more vulnerable to cannabis use and addiction could help guide prevention and early intervention. As cannabis becomes more widely available, research like this is critical for protecting mental health and helping people make informed decisions. #CannabisResearch #MentalHealth #BrainHealth #PublicHealth nature.com/articles/s4138…

New data raises concerns about youth marijuana use. A recent report found that Oklahoma youth marijuana use has increased 73% since medical marijuana legalization in 2018, with the state now ranking 3rd in the nation for past-month youth use. Medical experts emphasize that the adolescent brain continues developing into the mid-20s, making prevention and education essential. Read the full report: 🔗 ktul.com/news/local/rep… #PublicHealth #BrainHealth #YouthPrevention #MedicalEducation

A study published in JAMA Network Open examined how cannabis use affects brain function in young adults. Researchers analyzed brain scans and cognitive testing data from over 1,000 adults aged 22–36 to understand how both recent and lifetime cannabis use may impact thinking and memory. Key Findings Heavy lifetime cannabis use was linked to reduced brain activity during working-memory tasks, which are critical for learning, decision-making, and attention. About 63% of heavy lifetime users showed reduced brain activity while performing memory tasks. Recent cannabis users also showed decreased brain activity and poorer performance in working-memory tasks. The brain regions affected included areas responsible for memory, decision-making, attention, and emotional processing. What This Means Working memory helps people retain and use information to complete tasks—like following instructions, solving problems, or learning new information. The study found that heavy cannabis use is associated with reduced brain activity in areas responsible for these functions, suggesting potential impacts on cognitive performance. Researchers note that more long-term studies are needed to determine whether cannabis directly causes these changes and how long the effects may last. jamanetwork.com/journals/jaman…

Recreational drugs can more than double risk of stroke, study suggests Medical data from 100m people shows risk 122% higher for amphetamine users, 96% higher for cocaine and 37% higher for cannabis theguardian.com/society/2026/m…

What role does cannabis use play in mass violence? Join us for an important IASIC Speaker Series presentation featuring Dr. Ragy R. Girgis of Columbia University, who will share findings from the Columbia Mass Murder Database examining the role of cannabis use and policy in mass shootings. Dr. Girgis is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers on severe mental illness. 🗓 March 25, 2026 ⏰ 1:00 PM EST 💻 Free Online Webinar This important discussion will explore emerging research at the intersection of mental health, public safety, and cannabis policy. 🔗 Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… Please share with colleagues, educators, clinicians, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the science and public health implications. #PublicHealth #CannabisResearch #MentalHealth #IASIC

Sustained cannabis abstinence was associated with significant reductions in PTSD symptom severity and frequency over 12 weeks. While not definitive, the results raise questions about the assumption that long-term cannabis use improves symptoms or functioning in PTSD. The data instead suggest that continued cannabis use could limit recovery in some domains. This underscores the need to routinely assess cannabis use during PTSD treatment and to educate patients on the potential consequences of continued use. Larger randomized trials are warranted to replicate and extend these findings and to investigate mechanisms through which abstinence may relate to symptom changes in PTSD with CUD. psychiatrist.com/jcp/effects-ex…

🩺 🫀New Review: Cannabis & Heart Health — What We Know A recent narrative review finds that evidence on cannabis use and cardiovascular outcomes (like heart attack, stroke, and blood clots) is inconsistent, but some patterns suggest possible risks, especially for irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) and acute heart events. Differences in study design, product potency, and how cannabis is used (smoking vs. vaping vs. edibles) mean more research is urgently needed to clarify these heart health signals. #CannabisResearch #HeartHealth #CardiovascularRisk #PublicHealth #THC #EvidenceBased #ResearchUpdate 🔗sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

📢 🥼🧪New Sleep Research: Cannabis & Sleep Disorders A study in SLEEP finds that regular cannabis use is linked with poorer sleep quality and increased daytime sleepiness, even when people use it to help sleep. Heavy cannabis users reported more insomnia symptoms and disrupted sleep patterns compared with non-users. The results highlight that while many use cannabis for sleep, it may not improve—and could worsen—sleep health. #CannabisResearch #SleepHealth #Insomnia #PublicHealth #EvidenceBased #DaytimeSleepiness 🔗 academic.oup.com/sleep/advance-…

📢 New Emergency Medicine Clinical Policy on Cannabis The American College of Emergency Physicians released a clinical policy addressing critical harms of cannabis exposure in adults presenting to the ED, with a focus on cardiovascular effects. The policy reviews current evidence linking cannabis use to increased risk of heart problems—including potential effects on blood pressure, heart rhythm, and events like heart attack and stroke—and provides guidance for emergency clinicians evaluating and managing patients with cannabis-related symptoms. #CannabisResearch #EmergencyMedicine #CardiovascularRisk #PublicHealth #ClinicalPolicy #PatientCare #ACEP 🔗annemergmed.com/article/S0196-…

🥼🧪 New Study: Cannabis Use May Change Breast Milk Composition 🤱 A new study finds that cannabis use while breastfeeding may temporarily alter the nutrient makeup of human milk. After cannabis use, breast milk showed lower levels of fats and certain fatty acids, and lactose levels did not rise as they did in non-users. THC levels in milk were linked to these changes. While protein levels were unchanged, researchers say these findings raise important questions about infant nutrition and health and underscore the need for more research on cannabis use during lactation. #Breastfeeding #CannabisResearch #MaternalHealth #InfantNutrition #PublicHealth #THC #LactationScience 🔗journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11…

🔊🥼 The IASIC Speaker Series continues! Join us for a timely webinar with Dr. Khokhar, a leading researcher in translational neuropsychopharmacology: “Cannabis Vaping, Edibles, and Genetics: What Can We Learn from Animal Models” 🧬🧠 Using innovative animal-model research, Dr. Khokhar explores how emerging routes of cannabis use—like vaping and edibles—interact with genetics and brain development to shape substance-use risk. This work offers critical insight into the behavioral, neural, and pharmacokinetic mechanisms behind today’s rapidly evolving cannabis landscape. 🔗 Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… #Neuropsychopharmacology #AddictionScience #TranslationalScience #ResearchWebinar #IASIC