New meta-analysis 2025: 70-90% patient success, but weak data situation

Current reviews from 2025 show that 70 to 90 percent of patients report an improvement in their symptoms with medicinal cannabis. Cannabis containing THC appears to play a particularly important role in pain, sleep disorders and nausea. At the same time, researchers point out that many studies have methodological weaknesses – an area of tension that we should take a closer look at. Click here to return to the overview: Cannabis studies.

What the new 2025 analysis says about medicinal cannabis

The meta-analysis is based on broadly collected patient data from cancer medicine, pain therapy and neurology. The high level of satisfaction among patients using THC-dominant preparations is particularly striking. Many report significant pain relief and a better quality of life, often without severe side effects.

To get started:
Does medicinal cannabis really help?

Source and data: Meta-analysis (study).

The most important findings of the analysis

  • 70-90 % report symptom improvements
  • THC appears to be particularly effective for pain, sleep, appetite
  • Very low rate of severe side effects
  • Well tolerated – even in older patients

But: The data situation often remains weak

Despite the high success rate, the study warns against an overly positive interpretation. Many of the existing studies are not based on randomized clinical trials, but on patient self-reports or observational data. Although this makes the results interesting, they are not conclusive.

The researchers’ main points of criticism

  • Lack of large, controlled studies
  • Inconsistent doses and THC/CBD ratios
  • Much of the data is based on self-reporting rather than clinical measurement

The findings of the University of Basel remain relevant in 2025: Medical THC does not harm the psyche – on the contrary, mental stress actually decreased slightly in the study.

Why the results are still important

Even if the data is not scientifically perfect, it shows something crucial: Patients experience a real improvement. In modern evidence-based medicine, this is referred to as “real-world evidence” – practical data that is often the first step towards clinical trials.

THC plays an increasing role

For the first time, many of the new studies focus more on THC as a therapeutic agent and not just as a risk. This fits in with earlier findings that show THC-positive effects on brain processes or inflammation:

Conclusion? Great opportunities – but better research needed

The meta-analysis clearly shows that THC-containing medicinal cannabis works for many people. But for real scientific recognition, larger, well-designed studies are needed. 2025 will bring many new impulses – and THC will probably play an even more important role in medicine in the future.

Source and data: Meta-analysis (study).

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