Research Roundup: Dec 22, 2025
- Lex Pelger
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
Best of cannabinoid science this week...
In older adult cannabis users, data from the UK Biobank found greater lifetime use linked to better performance in learning, processing speed & short-term memory as well as greater regional brain volume in CB1-rich regions including the caudate & putamen (regions of the basal ganglia that control motor movements & cognition) as well as the hippocampus (memory center of the brain) & amygdala (processing center of emotional responses, especially fear & aggression)
Lifetime Cannabis Use Is Associated with Brain Volume and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
In boys with autism requiring higher levels of support, 8 weeks of CBD improves severe behavioral problems, with the changes to their EEG readings linked to the metabolite levels of CBD in their blood
Cannabidiol blood metabolite levels after cannabidiol treatment are associated with broadband EEG changes and improvements in visuomotor and non-verbal cognitive abilities in boys with autism requiring higher levels of support
“Furthermore, CBD metabolite levels in blood had a positive association with receptive vocabulary, nonverbal intelligence and visuomotor coordination. Our data suggest that this daily CBD preparation and administration schedule produced mixed effects, with some children showing improvements in cognitive and behavioral abilities while others demonstrated limited changes.”
For strokes, this meta-analysis of 241 studies found medical cannabis to be neuroprotective via several pathways
Exploring the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of medical cannabinoids in ischemic stroke: a systematic meta-analysis with bibliometric mapping of cerebral ischemia research
In people trying to quit vaping nicotine, their cannabis use was not associated with nicotine vaping abstinence
Cannabis Use and Nicotine Vaping Cessation Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
For endometriosis, a review of 13 studies on cannabis use found the most help for pain, sleep & GI distress
A Scoping Systematic Review of Cannabis Use in Endometriosis
For PEA & neuropathic pain from diabetes, a meta-analysis found a significant decrease in pain intensity & improvements in quality of life
Palmitoylethanolamide in the Management of Diabetic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses
For the terpene beta-caryophyllene, a review of its widespread mechanisms of action, including the CB2 receptor & the PPAR receptors (regulators of genetic transcription)
β-Caryophyllene: A Sesquiterpene with Multifaceted Pharmacological Potential
In a rat model of blast-induced traumatic brain injury, CBD caused neuroprotective effects (though this was more effective as a preventative than post-hyphen injury) as well as preserving motor coordination & reducing anxiety-like behaviors
Modulatory Effects of Cannabidiol on Anxiety and Motor Outcomes Post-Blast TBI
So if you know you're going to get brain-blasted by a shockwave, make sure to be taking your CBD ahead of time.
In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, a botanical mix of CBD with low THC enhanced the phagocytosis (eating) of amyloid plaques by the microglia (guardian immune cells of the brain), but also significantly reduced locomotion & increased anxiety & depression-like behaviors
Treatment with a botanical mixture of cannabidiol:Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol enhances microglial phagocytosis and shapes amyloid plaques in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
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