New research papers exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis are being published at a rapid rate. Here we look at five recent studies, investigating the treatment in conditions including anxiety, ADHD and fibromyalgia. Elsewhere, findings suggest cannabis may have neuroprotective properties for athletes suffering from concussions and in the US, researchers explore the effects of medicinal cannabis in cancer patients, following the passing of Ryan’s Law last year.  Cannabis associated with improvements in anxiety in real-world study Data from the UK shows that the prescription of cannabis-based medicines was associated with ‘clinically significant’ improvements in patients with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Questionnaires were completed by over 300 patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry during follow-up appointments three, six and nine months after starting treatment. These results were then compared to patients’ symptoms at baseline. 

According to the authors improvements in anxiety, sleep quality and quality of life were observed at each time point. 

“Prescription of CBMPs in those with GAD is associated with clinically significant improvements in anxiety with an acceptable safety profile in a real-world setting,” they conclude.“Randomised trials are required as a next step to investigate the efficacy of CBMPs.”