Cannabinoids and therapeutic potential in neuropsychiatry.

Ertenu D.; Papolu A.; Anderson N.; Wecker E.; Hauptman A.; Salpekar J. · International review of neurobiology · 2026

**Background & Methods** This is a narrative review article examining the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in neuropsychiatric conditions. The authors systematically reviewed literature on medical usage of cannabis components, focusing on established and emerging therapeutic applications, with particular emphasis on cannabidiol (CBD) and whole-plant effects. **Key Findings** - Cannabinoids demonstrate established therapeutic utility in specific medical areas including chemotherapy-induced nausea and as anti-inflammatory agents, though evidence in neuropsychiatric conditions remains limited - Cannabidiol (CBD) emerges as the most studied cannabinoid component with purported therapeutic benefits for specific seizure disorders, representing the strongest current evidence base - Whole-plant cannabis preparations may provide broader therapeutic effects than individual cannabinoid components alone, suggesting synergistic interactions between multiple plant constituents warrant further investigation **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. **Evidence Quality** This review has significant limitations inherent to its design. As a narrative review rather than systematic review or meta-analysis, the article lacks standardized methodology for study selection, critical appraisal, or quantitative synthesis. The authors acknowledge that evidence for neuropsychiatric applications is "more limited" compared to other medical uses, and the abstract does not specify which studies were included or how evidence was graded. The distinction between cannabis as a "recreational drug of abuse with no medical utility" versus its potential therapeutic components suggests heterogeneous evidence quality across conditions. The statement that "recent studies suggest" broader therapeutic potential indicates emerging rather than established evidence. The level of evidence appears to be primarily observational and preclinical, with the recommendation for "future approaches" implying that definitive clinical trials for most neuropsychiatric indications remain outstanding. The review highlights the complexity of cannabis pharmacology—particularly the potential superiority of multi-component versus single-component therapy—but does not provide quantitative data to support these assertions.

More recent cannabis research