Medicinal Cannabis Matters: Friday Roundup - 7 August 2026

New Research Finds Medicinal Cannabis Could Reduce PTSD Nightmares

New research from Germany has found that a prescription medicinal cannabis significantly reduced nightmares in people living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The ten-week randomised, placebo-controlled trial involved 170 people with PTSD, with participants receiving either a prescription medicine derived from THC or a placebo. By the end of the study, nightmare severity had fallen more among those receiving the prescription than those receiving the placebo.

Perhaps most importantly, 34.7% of people receiving the treatment reported that their nightmares had stopped completely, while a further 21% said the impact of their nightmares had at least halved. Most participants receiving medicinal cannabis also reported a significant improvement in their overall health.

The researchers found that the improvements were specifically related to nightmares and sleep, rather than broader PTSD symptoms or depression. This is an important distinction, but the findings provide encouraging evidence for further research into medicinal cannabis and trauma-related sleep difficulties.

Medical Cannabis and ADHD: What Does the Evidence Show?

ADHD is increasingly being discussed in relation to medicinal cannabis, and new analysis from Cannabis Health News highlights a growing area of clinical interest.

The article compares medicinal cannabis with established stimulant medications. Although research into cannabis and ADHD is still developing, early findings are beginning to build a clearer picture. The article highlights a small randomised trial involving 30 adults, alongside observational research from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. The data reported improvements in areas such as anxiety, sleep and overall quality of life, which are often important considerations for people living with ADHD.

This reflects an evolving evidence base and while more research is needed to better understand the impact of cannabinoids on core ADHD symptoms, current findings are helping to shape future studies and identify which patients may benefit most from treatment.

For patients who have not responded to, or cannot tolerate, traditional treatments, medicinal cannabis may be considered by a specialist prescribing doctor in certain circumstances.

Could Cannabinoid Pathways Offer New Targets for Kidney Disease?

Researchers are also exploring whether the body's endocannabinoid system could provide new avenues for understanding and treating chronic kidney disease (CKD).

A new review examines the role of cannabinoid receptors within the kidneys and how they may influence processes including inflammation, metabolism and cardiovascular function. Cannabinoid receptors have been identified in structures within the kidneys, and research in animal models suggests that targeting these pathways could potentially influence the progression of kidney injury.

With chronic kidney disease affecting around 850 million people worldwide, the search for new approaches to treatment is an important area of research. These findings are an early step in understanding the potential role of medicinal cannabis in treating kidney disease.

At Medicann, we believe patients should have access to clear, evidence-led information so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare alongside a prescribing doctor. If you're considering whether medicinal cannabis may be suitable for your condition, you can check your eligibility online in just two minutes.

Disclaimer: This blog post and the following featured articles are for information only and any articles on external platforms may be amended at any time. Articles that we refer to in our weekly roundup do not reflect the views of Medicann.