---
title: "Cannabis and Mental Health: Evidence, Risks, and Clinical Considerations"
id: "dentistry-iq-8-cannabis-and-mental-health-therapeutic-tool-or-clinical-risk"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/dentistry-iq-8-cannabis-and-mental-health-therapeutic-tool-or-clinical-risk"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Dentistry"
source_name: "DentistryIQ Clinical"
source_url: "https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical/video/55388417/cannabis-and-mental-health-therapeutic-tool-or-clinical-risk"
published_at: "2026-07-03T14:21:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Journal Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# Cannabis and Mental Health: Evidence, Risks, and Clinical Considerations
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/dentistry-iq-8-cannabis-and-mental-health-therapeutic-tool-or-clinical-risk
- **Specialty:** [Dentistry](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/dentistry.md)
- **Primary Source:** DentistryIQ Clinical
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical/video/55388417/cannabis-and-mental-health-therapeutic-tool-or-clinical-risk)
- **Published At:** 2026-07-03T14:21:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Journal Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- Recent analysis reported in Lancet Psychiatry found **no rigorous evidence** that cannabis or medical cannabinoids effectively treat **anxiety**, **depression**, or **PTSD**. - The authors of the source article assert that marijuana should **not be prescribed** for patients with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. - The analysis identified potential harms: cannabis products can **worsen mental health**, produce significant adverse events, and may delay patients from receiving proven treatments. - One central clinical concern is that cannabis can **mask underlying symptoms**, leading clinicians and patients to overlook root causes and evidence-based therapies. - The discussion appears in the Dental Economics/Medical History Mysteries series and is presented to help dental clinicians understand the latest research and how it may affect care decisions. - The article emphasizes that recent sweeping analyses raise questions about the therapeutic value of medical cannabis for psychiatric conditions and highlights risks rather than demonstrated benefit. - Authors Pamela Maragliano, DMD, and Tom Viola, RPh, CCP, contributed the piece; it first appeared in the Clinical Insights newsletter of Endeavor Business Media Dental Group.
## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points
[Skip to main content](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical/video/55388417/cannabis-and-mental-health-therapeutic-tool-or-clinical-risk#content) [](https://www.dentistryiq.com/search) [![Dentistry IQ header logo](https://img.dentistryiq.com/files/base/ebm/diq/image/website/logos/1651156415077-logo.png?height=55)](https://www.dentistryiq.com/) Modern dentistry done smarter * [Newsworthy](https://www.dentistryiq.com/newsworthy) * [Clinical](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical) * [Business Management & Leadership](https://www.dentistryiq.com/business-management-leadership) * [Revenue Cycle Management](https://www.dentistryiq.com/revenue-cycle-management) [![Dentistry IQ mega menu logo](https://img.dentistryiq.com/files/base/ebm/diq/image/website/logos/1752510663448-dentistryiq_finallogo_white_reg.png?auto=format,compress&height=45)](https://www.dentistryiq.com/) Sections [Newsworthy](https://www.dentistryiq.com/newsworthy) [Clinical](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical) [Business Management & Leadership](https://www.dentistryiq.com/business-management-leadership) [Revenue Cycle Management](https://www.dentistryiq.com/revenue-cycle-management) Special [Advisory Board](https://www.dentistryiq.com/EditorialAdvisoryBoard) [Continuing Education](https://dentalacademyofce.com) [Videos](https://www.dentistryiq.com/videos) [Front Office Forms](https://www.dentistryiq.com/front-office/office-forms) [Free Samples](https://www.dentistryiq.com/free-samples) [Innovator Awards](https://dental.endeavorb2b.com/dental-innovator-awards) [White Papers](https://www.dentistryiq.com/white-papers) Contact [About Us](https://www.dentistryiq.com/about-us) [Advertise](https://dental.endeavorb2b.com/dentistry-iq/) [Contact Us](https://www.dentistryiq.com/contact-us) [Newsletters](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dental-group-newsletter-info) [Newsletter Subscription](https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=DECnewpref) [Submission Guidelines](https://www.dentistryiq.com/submission-guidelines) Affiliated Brands [RDH UNDER ONE ROOF](https://www.rdhunderoneroof.com/rdhuor2025) [DENTAL ECONOMICS](https://www.dentaleconomics.com) [PERIO-IMPLANT ADVISORY](https://www.perioimplantadvisory.com) [RDH](https://www.rdhmag.com) Follow us on [ ](https://www.facebook.com/DentistryIQ) [ ](https://www.instagram.com/dentistry___iq/) [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/dentistryiq/) [ ](https://twitter.com/DentistryIQ) [ ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm8U6hZE-uCLCEx_MSs7fpw) [Clinical](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical) # Cannabis and mental health: Therapeutic tool or clinical risk? True story or fake news? Marijuana should not be prescribed for people with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Join us in Medical History Mysteries as we talk about the latest research on medical cannabis. [Pamela Maragliano, DMD](https://www.dentistryiq.com/16373659) , [Tom Viola, RPh, CCP](https://www.dentistryiq.com/14233620) July 3, 2026 [ Add Us On Google ](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=dentistryiq.com) * [](javascript:void\(0\)) * [](javascript:void\(0\)) * [](javascript:void\(0\)) * [](javascript:void\(0\)) * [](https://www.dentistryiq.com/print/content/55388417) True story or fake news? Marijuana should not be prescribed for people with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. If you use cannabis or marijuana, it should mellow you out, right? However, recent research from the _Lancet Psychiatry_ said there’s no rigorous evidence that cannabis or medical cannabinoids effectively treat anxiety, depression, or PTSD. In fact, sweeping analysis revealed that marijuana products can actually worsen mental health, delay proven medical treatments, and carry significant risks of adverse events. One issue is that by masking the treatment with cannabis, you might be ignoring the underlying symptoms. Join us in _Medical History Mysteries_ as we talk about the latest research on medical cannabis. ###### Thumbnail image credit: [Nicolae Popescu](https://www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?artistexact=Nicolae%20Popescu) / iStock / Getty Images Plus **More _Medical History Mysteries_ videos … ** * [The skinny on GLP-1 medications](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical/video/55384926/the-skinny-on-glp-1-medications) * [From PCOS to PEMOS: The bigger health picture](https://www.dentistryiq.com/clinical/video/55386295/from-pcos-to-pemos-the-bigger-health-picture) * * * The _Dental Economics_ Network brings you the best content from _Dental Economics_ , _RDH_ , _DentistryIQ_ , and _Perio-Implant Advisory_. * [Dental Economics](https://www.dentaleconomics.com/) * [RDH magazine](https://www.rdhmag.com/) * [DentistryIQ](https://www.dentistryiq.com/) * [Perio-Implant Advisory](https://www.perioimplantadvisory.com/) **Editor’s note:** This article first appeared in _Clinical Insights_ newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. [Read more articles](https://www.dentistryiq.com/dentistry) and [subscribe](https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/loading.do?omedasite=DECPrefPage). ## About the Author ![Pamela Maragliano, DMD](https://img.dentistryiq.com/files/base/ebm/diq/image/2020/09/Maragliano_Muniz_Pamela_Sept2020.5f69fd414852c.png?w=120&h=120&fit=crop) ### [Pamela Maragliano, DMD](https://www.dentistryiq.com/home/contact/16373659/pamela-maragliano-muniz-dmd) **Pamela Maragliano, DMD,** is the chief editor of _Dental Economics_. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at pmaragliano@endeavorb2b.com. ![Tom Viola, RPh, CCP](https://img.dentistryiq.com/files/base/ebm/diq/image/2022/02/Viola_Tom.6205766b57b6b.png?w=120&h=120&fit=crop) ### [Tom Viola, RPh, CCP](https://www.dentistryiq.com/resources/contact/14233620/tom-viola-rph-ccp) With more than 30 years’ experience as a board-certified pharmacist, clinical educator, professional speaker, and published author, **Tom Viola, RPh, CCP****,** has earned the reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for dental teams. He is the founder of Pharmacology Declassified and is a member of the faculty of more than 10 dental professional degree programs. Viola has contributed to several professional journals and pharmacology textbooks, and currently serves as a consultant to the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs. Sign up for our eNewsletters Get the latest news and updates Sign Up # Related [![The danger of zinc in denture adhesives](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/contentStores/6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf/items/55360428/image?auto=format,compress&fit=crop&q=45&h=139&height=139&w=250&width=250) ](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55360428) ## [The danger of zinc in denture adhesives](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55360428) [![What’s living in your retainers?](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/contentStores/6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf/items/55361703/image?auto=format,compress&fit=crop&q=45&h=139&height=139&w=250&width=250) ](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55361703) ## [What’s living in your retainers?](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55361703) # Trending ## [The intimacy of the mouth: What Italy taught me about why oral health matters](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55393145) ## [Everybody’s busy, but is anyone getting better?](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55392861) ## [When fillers fail: Orofacial inflammation that looks like a tooth infection](https://informa.blueconic.net/rest/v2/recommendations/redirect?storeId=6d95b98e-ca7f-49e2-bf12-8862157adfdf&profileId=&itemId=55391380) Load More Content [![footer logo Dentistry IQ](https://img.dentistryiq.com/files/base/ebm/diq/image/website/logos/1651156415077-logo.png?height=45)](https://www.dentistryiq.com/) DentistryIQ delivers timely dental news, expert analysis, and industry intelligence for professionals across the dental industry - reflecting the full scope of modern dentistry. 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