Start with the original source
Find the paper or report behind the headline. Record its title, authors, publication date and publication venue. If only a press release or advertisement is available, make that limitation explicit rather than treat it as the full study.
Six questions to ask
- What was studied? Note the exact preparation and ingredients. Avoid substituting a different product for the one described.
- Who took part? Identify the population, number of participants and setting. A result does not automatically apply to everyone.
- What was the comparison? Look for a comparison group and how people were assigned to groups.
- What was measured? Distinguish the planned outcome from other observations. Ask whether the headline reflects that outcome.
- How long did it last? Record the follow-up period and whether participants dropped out.
- What limitations were reported? Read the discussion, funding statement and declared conflicts of interest.
Keep the conclusion proportional
Describe the result in the context of the actual study. If the design or report leaves a question unanswered, keep that uncertainty visible. An interesting finding should not be rewritten as a promise about an everyday product.
Use a simple evidence note
Source: title, date and link.
Preparation: what was used.
Participants: who was included.
Comparison: what it was compared with.
Outcome: what was measured.
Limitations: what remains uncertain.
Read sources alongside the context
The NCCIH overview of cannabis and cannabinoids, also linked from our homepage, is a starting point for finding authoritative background information. Follow the references and check when each source was updated.
This page explains a reading process. It does not assess a treatment or recommend a product.
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