Cannabis is increasingly being used by individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), despite limited evidence supporting its effectiveness. A recently published scoping review evaluating 26 studies, which included a variety of study methods, also found insufficient evidence to support the therapeutic use cannabinoids for PTSD.

Key findings:

  • The majority of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) showed no significant reduction in PTSD symptoms compared to placebo. Participants receiving cannabis did not improve more than those receiving placebo.
    • One RCT with a small sample size (n=10) which provided an FDA approved synthetic oral THC was associated with a reduction on the frequency of nightmares.
  • Studies evaluating how cannabinoids affected symptoms such as “fear extinction” and “trauma recall” observed changes in brain imaging without showing clinical improvements in overall PTSD symptoms.
  • This review warned about the findings of the observational studies included as these studies were limited by self-reported outcomes, lack of control groups, and were more susceptible to bias and other confounding factors; therefore, they are unable to establish whether cannabis truly caused the reported improvements.
  • THC-rich products were linked to a variety of adverse effects.

The findings did not provide enough evidence to support the use of cannabinoids to treat or assist individuals with PTSD. The most favorable result came from a small trial using a synthetic FDA-approved cannabinoid, which is not enough to support broad clinical use.

These findings should not be generalized to dispensary cannabis products, which differ substantially from FDA-approved cannabinoid medications in composition, consistency, and regulatory oversight.

Why these findings matter:

PTSD can be a debilitating condition, and existing research does not support the use of psychoactive substances like cannabinoids to treat and support individuals suffering from it. Current clinical guidelines especially from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs continue to recommend evidence-based treatments, such as trauma focused psychotherapy, to deal with PTSD.

As cannabis legalization continues to sweep the country, it is essential to communicate to vulnerable populations of the dangers associated with the use of cannabis. Individuals battling PTSD should discuss treatment options with their healthcare providers and consider therapies supported by the strongest available evidence.

Source:

Aviram, J., Belobrov, R., Grinapol, S., Fruchter, E. Efficacy, effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis in PTSD: a scoping review. J Cannabis Res (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-026-00451-7