Study Finds No Solid Evidence for Medicinal Cannabis in Mental Health

0:00In Sydney today, March 17th, a new study from the University of Sydney finds no solid evidence that medicinal cannabis helps treat anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress. Disorder. This comes as prescriptions in Australia have exploded from fewer than 20,000 in 2020 to nearly 1 million last financial year. Mental health issues are now the top reason doctors prescribe it. Since legalization in 2016, more than 250,000 people got it for anxiety, 19,000 for PTSD, and over 17,000 for depression through the government's special access program. The review and lenses psychiatry looked at tons of research, but found the studies lacked the high quality randomized trials needed to prove it works. Experts like lead researcher Dr. Jack Wilson say, while some patients swear by it, the overall evidence doesn't support routine use for these. One Darwin man, Daniel Yakowel, shared how he quit after two years on a heavy prescription

1:00for anxiety and depression. He was using 60 grams a month, costing more than his $300 weekly rent and realized it was making things worse. Critics point out the reviewed studies were old in low quality and didn't separate THC heavy products from non-intoxicating CBD ones. Cannabis companies also skip expensive trials, since sales are booming anyway, leaving a gap between prescribing and proof. Several trials are now underway in Australia, like one's testing CBD for youth anxiety and cannabis for kids with autism. Researchers agree more rigorous studies are key before expanding its mental health role. Thanks to our sponsor for helping bring you this episode. Head in, sound on, lights out. That is the routine, S-O-L-I-SOLIPILO.com.