Psychiatric News (2/20) reported a study found that “the cannabis derivative cannabinol (CBN) reduced the time needed to fall asleep in a small sample of individuals with insomnia but didn’t significantly reduce time spent awake after initial sleep onset.” Researchers observed that for study participants with a diagnosed insomnia disorder, “CBN 300mg and 30mg reduced wake after sleep onset by six and four minutes, respectively, but researchers said neither change was statistically or clinically significant. CBN 300mg halved average sleep onset time from 14 minutes to seven – a meaningful reduction similar to those reported in studies of melatonin or prescription sleep aids.” Furthermore, they noted that “CBN 300mg also increased time spent in N2 sleep (the transition from light sleep to deep sleep) and increased participants’ subjective sleep quality.” The study was published in the Journal of Sleep Research.

Related Links:

— “Cannabinol Fails to Reduce Nighttime Waking but Provides Other Sleep Benefits, Psychiatric News, February 20, 2026

Healio (2/20, Feliciano) reported a systematic review and meta-analysis of 110 studies found that “about 70% of individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder reported experiencing aggressive obsessions during their lifetime.” The researchers observed that “among patients with OCD, 70.3% reported experiencing aggressive obsessions during their lifetime and 52.6% experienced them within the last week. For 28% of patients, aggressive obsessions were their primary and most distressing symptom.” They noted that “patients with early-onset OCD were 1.17 times more likely to report aggressive symptoms than those with late-onset OCD. Prevalence was also higher among patients who experienced suicidal ideation, who were 1.98 times more likely to report aggressive symptoms.” The reviewwas published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

Related Links:

— “Most adults with OCD experience aggressive obsessions,”Octavia Feliciano, Healio, February 20, 2026

Healio (2/20, Feliciano) reported a systematic review and meta-analysis of 110 studies found that “about 70% of individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder reported experiencing aggressive obsessions during their lifetime.” The researchers observed that “among patients with OCD, 70.3% reported experiencing aggressive obsessions during their lifetime and 52.6% experienced them within the last week. For 28% of patients, aggressive obsessions were their primary and most distressing symptom.” They noted that “patients with early-onset OCD were 1.17 times more likely to report aggressive symptoms than those with late-onset OCD. Prevalence was also higher among patients who experienced suicidal ideation, who were 1.98 times more likely to report aggressive symptoms.” The reviewwas published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

Related Links:

— “Most adults with OCD experience aggressive obsessions,”Octavia Feliciano, Healio, February 20, 2026

HealthDay (2/19, Neff) reports a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies “identified a troubling link between high-sugar drinks and increased anxiety symptoms in young people. Researchers reviewed studies published over the last 25 years, looking for patterns in how a teenager’s diet affects their mind. The beverages analyzed included soda, energy drinks, sweetened juices, flavored milks and even sugary teas and coffees.” The results showed that “the more sugary drinks a teenager consumed, the more likely they were to report symptoms of anxiety. In fact, a meta-analysis of the data linked high sugar intake to 34% higher odds of having an anxiety disorder.” The researchers “emphasized that their findings show an association between sugary drinks and anxiety rather than a direct cause-and-effect.” The review was published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

Related Links:

— “Sweetened Drinks Linked to Higher Anxiety in Teens,”Deanna Neff, HealthDay , February 19, 2026

Healio (2/19, Leiser) reports, “Certain social determinants and psychological factors may elevate a person’s risk for new persistent opioid use after surgery, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Researchers found that “enrollment in Medicaid and preoperative use of benzodiazepines – widely prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, insomnia and seizures – both correlated with 77% higher odds for new persistent opioid use.” People “with mood disorders and anxiety also exhibited elevated risk.” The findings were published in Pain Medicine.

Related Links:

— “‘Valuable insights’: 4 factors may raise risk for new persistent opioid use after surgery,”Mark Leiser, Healio, February 19, 2026