Cannabis has been linked to some significant medical benefits, but recent research calls those into question.

A major new analysis published in JAMA examined more than 2,500 scientific papers from the last 15 years, including other reviews, clinical trials and guidelines focused on medical marijuana.

“While many people turn to cannabis seeking relief, our review highlights significant gaps between public perception and scientific evidence regarding its effectiveness for most medical conditions,” Dr. Michael Hsu of University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) Health Sciences, author of the study, said in a press release.

The researchers — led by UCLA with contributions from Harvard, UC San Francisco, Washington University School of Medicine and New York University — set out to determine how strong the research is on the effectiveness of medical cannabis and to offer evidence-based clinical guidance.

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The review found that evidence supporting most medical uses of cannabis or cannabinoids is limited or insufficient, the release stated.

“Whenever a substance is widely used, there is likely to be a very wide set of outcomes,” Alex Dimitriu, MD, double board-certified in Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told Fox News Digital. 

“Cannabis is now used by about 15 to 25% of U.S. adults in the past year, for various reasons ranging from recreational to medicinal. This study points to the reality that this widely used substance is not a panacea,” said Dimitriu, who was not involved in the study.

There are very few conditions for which cannabinoid therapies have clear, well-established benefits backed by high-quality clinical data, according to the researchers.

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The strongest evidence supports FDA-approved cannabinoid medications for treating specific conditions, including HIV/AIDS-related appetite loss, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and certain severe pediatric seizure disorders.

For many other conditions that are commonly treated with cannabis — such as chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder — evidence from randomized trials did not support meaningful benefit.

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The analysis also examined safety concerns — in particular, how young people using high-potency cannabis may be more likely to suffer higher rates of psychotic symptoms and anxiety disorder.

Daily inhaled cannabis use was also linked to increased risks of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke when compared with non-daily use.

Based on these findings, the review emphasizes that clinicians should weigh potential benefits against known risks when discussing cannabis with patients.

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The authors suggest that clinicians screen patients for cardiovascular risk, evaluate mental health history, check for possible drug interactions and consider conditions where risks may outweigh benefits.

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They recommend open, realistic conversations and caution against assuming that cannabis is broadly effective for medical conditions.

“Patients deserve honest conversations about what the science does and doesn’t tell us about medical cannabis,” Hsu said.

This article is a narrative review rather than a systematic review, so it did not use the strict, standardized methods that help reduce bias in how studies are selected and evaluated, the researchers noted.

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The review notes further limitations, including that some evidence comes from observational research rather than randomized trials, which means it cannot establish cause and effect.

The trial results also may not apply to all populations, products or doses.

Chronic lateness is known to be a common annoyance, often leading to strain within relationships, experts have confirmed.

And for some people who struggle to be on time, the reasons may go far beyond poor planning.

Psychotherapist and author Jonathan Alpert told Fox News Digital that chronic lateness often stems from a combination of psychological patterns and neurobiological factors that people may not realize are influencing them.

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“For some people, it’s personality-driven. They’re distractible, optimistic about how long things take, or simply not tuned into the impact on others,” the New York-based expert said.

For others, the issue stems from neurobiological differences that affect how the brain manages time.

That can make it harder to estimate how long tasks take or to transition from one activity to the next, leading to chronic lateness, according to Alpert.

Impact on relationships

In addition to disrupting schedules, chronic lateness may also strain relationships and create tension.

“Lateness erodes trust. Over time, it sends the message that someone else’s time is less important, even if that’s not the intent,” Alpert noted.

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Lateness can also become an issue in the workplace, where repeated delays can undermine teamwork and harm a person’s reputation.

These patterns are common among people with ADHD, who often experience what is known as “time blindness,” making it difficult to recognize how quickly minutes pass or how long tasks truly take.

“Adding 10 to 15 minutes of buffer between activities reduces the frantic rushing that leads to chronic lateness.”

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ADHD is strongly associated with executive-function difficulties, which are the skills needed to stay organized, plan ahead and focus on essential details, according to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. 

When these abilities are weaker, it becomes more challenging to gauge time, follow a schedule and meet deadlines, which can impact personal and professional relationships, experts agree.

Underlying patterns

Anxiety, avoidance and perfectionism are patterns that Alpert most often sees in people who tend to run late, he noted.

“Many chronically late individuals don’t intend to be disrespectful. They’re overwhelmed, anxious or trying to squeeze too much into too little time,” he said.

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These emotional patterns often show up in different ways. For some, anxiety can make it difficult to begin even simple tasks, pushing everything behind schedule before the day has even started, according to Alpert.

For others, the struggle happens in the in-between moments. Shifting from one activity to another can feel surprisingly uncomfortable, so they linger longer than intended and lose time without noticing.

Others may get caught up in the details, as perfectionism keeps them adjusting or “fixing one more thing” as the minutes slip away, Alpert said.

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Another major factor, the expert shared, is that many people simply misjudge how long tasks take. Their internal sense of time is often inaccurate, which leads them to assume they can fit far more into a day than is realistically possible.

‘Time audit’

Alpert often recommends that his clients perform a simple “time audit,” where they track how long they think a routine task will take and then time it in real life. This can help them rebuild a more accurate internal clock, he said.

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“Adding 10 to 15 minutes of buffer between activities reduces the frantic rushing that leads to chronic lateness,” he said.

Despite the challenges lateness can create, Alpert said people don’t have to be stuck with these habits forever. With the right support and consistent strategies, meaningful change is possible.

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“Strong routines, alarms, checklists and accurate time estimates compensate for traits that don’t naturally disappear,” he added.

People who find that lateness is affecting their everyday life and relationships may benefit from discussing their concerns with a healthcare provider or mental health professional.

The holidays are known to be a source of stress, between traveling, preparing for family gatherings and indulging in lots of food and drinks.

The uptick of activity can actually put a strain on the heart, a phenomenon known as “holiday heart syndrome.”

Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Jeremy London addressed this elevated risk in a recent Instagram post, sharing how heart attacks consistently rise around the holidays.

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“Every year, like clockwork, we see a spike in heart attacks around Christmas and New Year’s,” the South Carolina-based surgeon said. “In fact, Christmas Eve is the highest-risk day of the year.”

This is due to a shift in behavior, specifically drinking and eating too much, moving less and being stressed out, according to London. “Emotional stress, financial stress, the increased pace of the holidays, increased obligations,” he listed.

Cold weather also causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), according to London, which increases the risk of plaque rupture and the potential for heart attack.

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Dr. Glenn Hirsch, chief of the division of cardiology at National Jewish Health in New York, noted in an interview with Fox News Digital that holiday heart syndrome typically refers to the onset of an abnormal heart rhythm, or atrial fibrillation.

This can happen after an episode of binge-drinking alcohol, Hirsch said, which can be exacerbated by holiday celebrations.

“It’s often a combination of overdoing the alcohol intake along with high salt intake and large meals that can trigger it,” he said. “Adding travel, stress and less sleep, and it lowers the threshold to go into that rhythm.”

The biggest risk related to atrial fibrillation, according to Hirsch, is stroke and other complications from blood clots. Untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure after a long period of time.

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“The risk of atrial fibrillation increases with age, but also underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors increase the risk, such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, sleep apnea and chronic kidney disease,” he added.

Preventing a holiday heart event

Holiday heart syndrome is preventable, as Hirsch reminds people that “moderation is key” when celebrating.

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The expert recommends avoiding binge-drinking, overeating (especially salty foods) and dehydration, while managing stress levels and prioritizing adequate sleep.

“Don’t forget to exercise,” he added. “Even getting in at least 5,000 to 10,000 steps during the holiday can help lower risk, [while] also burning some of the additional calories we are often consuming around the holidays.”

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London agreed, stating in his video that “movement is medicine” and encouraging people to get out and move every day.

It’s also important to stay on schedule with any prescribed medications, London emphasized. He encourages setting reminder alerts, even during the holiday break.

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“Prioritize sleep and mindfulness,” he added. “Take care of yourself during this stressful time.”

London also warned that many people delay having certain health concerns checked out until after the holidays, further worsening these conditions.

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“Don’t ignore your symptoms,” he advised. “If you don’t feel right, respond.”