Cancer Related Symptoms

One significant study examining the effects of medicinal cannabis in treating cancer-related symptoms was published in the journal "JAMA Oncology" in 2018.

This study investigated the use of cannabis for symptom management in cancer patients, particularly focusing on pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Here are some key findings from the study:

Symptom Relief

The study found that cannabis use was associated with significant improvements in cancer-related symptoms, including pain, nausea, and vomiting. Patients reported reduced symptom severity and improved quality of life after using cannabis-based treatments.

Pain Management

Cannabis was found to be particularly effective in alleviating cancer-related pain, including neuropathic pain and pain associated with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Patients who used cannabis reported reductions in pain intensity and improved pain control compared to non-users.

Nausea and Vomiting

Cannabis-based treatments, such as oral cannabinoids (e.g., dronabinol) and inhaled cannabis, were effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.

These treatments provided relief for patients who did not respond adequately to conventional antiemetic medications.

Adverse Effects

While cannabis was generally well-tolerated, patients reported side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. However, serious adverse events were rare, and the benefits of symptom relief often outweighed the risks for many patients.