Insights
Long-form research explainers, clinical guides, and policy analysis — written for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
CBD vs. THC: Key Clinical Differences Every Patient Should Know
CBD and THC are the two most studied cannabinoids, but they have fundamentally different pharmacological profiles, evidence bases, and safety considerations. This article provides a clear clinical comparison to help patients and providers make informed decisions.
April 22, 2026
How to Read Cannabis Research: A Critical Appraisal Guide
Cannabis research is growing rapidly, but quality varies enormously. This guide teaches you to distinguish strong evidence from weak, identify common methodological problems, and understand why "a study showed" headlines often tell only part of the story.
May 1, 2026
Schedule I and the Research Gap: How Federal Law Shapes Cannabis Science
Cannabis remains Schedule I under US federal law — the most restrictive drug classification. This creates enormous barriers to research, limiting the quality and quantity of clinical evidence. This article explains what Schedule I means in practice, how it affects research, and what the proposed rescheduling to Schedule III would change.
May 8, 2026
Terpenes: Beyond the Entourage Effect Hype
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its distinctive smell and flavor. They are widely marketed as key contributors to cannabis's therapeutic effects via the "entourage effect." But what does the science actually say? This article separates evidence from marketing.
May 14, 2026
CBD Drug Interactions: A Clinical Reference Guide
CBD is a potent inhibitor of multiple CYP enzymes, creating clinically significant drug interactions with dozens of commonly prescribed medications. This guide covers the mechanisms, affected drug classes, and monitoring recommendations for clinicians and patients.
May 20, 2026
Cannabis and the Adolescent Brain: What the Research Shows
The adolescent brain is uniquely vulnerable to cannabis. The endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in brain development, and disrupting it during adolescence with exogenous cannabinoids may have lasting consequences. This article reviews the evidence on cannabis and adolescent neurodevelopment.
May 26, 2026
Medical Cannabis Dosing: A Practical Guide for Patients
Dosing medical cannabis is more complex than most medications because of the wide variability in products, routes of administration, and individual responses. This practical guide explains the "start low, go slow" principle, how to titrate, and what to expect.
May 30, 2026
Cannabis and the Opioid Crisis: Evidence, Promise, and Caution
The opioid crisis has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. Cannabis has been proposed as an opioid substitute or adjunct that could reduce opioid use and overdose deaths. This article examines the evidence — which is more complex and less definitive than headlines suggest.
June 2, 2026
CBG: The "Mother Cannabinoid" and Its Emerging Research Profile
Cannabigerol (CBG) is the biosynthetic precursor to THC, CBD, and CBC — earning it the nickname "mother cannabinoid." It is present in low concentrations in most cannabis strains but is attracting growing research interest for its unique pharmacological profile. This article reviews the current evidence.
June 3, 2026
Cannabis for PTSD: What the Evidence Actually Shows
PTSD is one of the most biologically plausible indications for cannabis medicine — yet the clinical evidence is more nuanced than advocates or critics acknowledge. This review examines the neuroscience of trauma, the ECS's role in fear processing, and what the best available RCTs actually show.
May 2, 2026
Cannabis and the Heart: Cardiovascular Risks You Need to Know
Cannabis is widely perceived as a low-risk substance, but its cardiovascular effects are significant and underappreciated — particularly for older adults and those with pre-existing cardiac disease. This review covers the acute and chronic cardiovascular effects of cannabis, the mechanisms behind them, and who is most at risk.
May 10, 2026
Why Most CBD Products Don't Work: The Bioavailability Problem
Oral CBD has only 6% bioavailability — meaning 94% of a typical dose is lost before reaching the bloodstream. Yet most commercial CBD products are dosed at 10–50mg, far below the 300–600mg used in clinical trials. Understanding CBD pharmacokinetics is essential for anyone trying to evaluate whether a product is likely to work.
May 18, 2026
Cannabis and Sleep: What the Science Says About THC, CBD, and REM
Cannabis is the most commonly self-reported sleep aid in the US, yet the science of how cannabinoids affect sleep is more complicated — and more concerning — than most users realize. This review covers sleep architecture, REM suppression, insomnia evidence, and what happens when you stop.
May 25, 2026
Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis: The Strongest Evidence in Cannabinoid Medicine
Multiple sclerosis is the indication with the strongest clinical evidence for cannabis-based medicines. Nabiximols (Sativex) is approved in 30+ countries for MS spasticity. This review examines the RCT evidence, the mechanisms, and the practical clinical picture for MS patients considering cannabis.
April 28, 2026
Cannabis During Pregnancy: What the Evidence Shows About Fetal Risk
Cannabis use during pregnancy has increased dramatically as legalization has expanded, yet the evidence on fetal risk is deeply concerning. This review examines what we know about THC's effects on fetal development, the long-term neurodevelopmental data, and why every major medical organization recommends complete abstinence.
April 20, 2026
Synthetic Cannabinoids: Why "Spice" and "K2" Are Far More Dangerous Than Cannabis
Synthetic cannabinoids — sold as "Spice," "K2," and dozens of other brand names — are not cannabis. They are full CB1 agonists that can be 100x more potent than THC, with a toxicity profile that includes seizures, cardiac arrest, kidney failure, and death. This review explains why they are so dangerous.
May 5, 2026
Cannabinoids for Chemotherapy Nausea: The Evidence Behind FDA Approval
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is one of the best-supported indications for cannabinoids — dronabinol and nabilone have been FDA-approved for this use since the 1980s. This review examines the evidence base, the mechanisms, and where cannabinoids fit alongside modern antiemetics.
April 10, 2026
Cannabis Legalization and Public Health: What the Data Shows After a Decade
More than a decade after Colorado and Washington became the first US states to legalize recreational cannabis, researchers have accumulated substantial data on the public health effects of legalization. The findings are more nuanced — and more mixed — than either advocates or opponents predicted.
May 30, 2026
How Cannabis Relieves Pain: The Neuroscience of Cannabinoid Analgesia
Pain is the most common reason people use medical cannabis, and the neuroscience of cannabinoid analgesia is one of the most thoroughly studied areas in cannabinoid pharmacology. This review explains the molecular mechanisms, the types of pain that respond best, and what the clinical evidence shows.
May 14, 2026
Cannabis Use Disorder: Recognition, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
Cannabis use disorder (CUD) affects approximately 9% of people who ever use cannabis — rising to 17% for adolescent-onset users and 25–50% for daily users. This clinical review covers DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, risk factors, withdrawal management, and the evidence for behavioral and pharmacological treatments.
May 22, 2026