Cannabis for Chemo Radiation Side Effects

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are common treatments for cancer, but they can cause a range of unpleasant side effects that can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, fatigue, and depression.

Medical cannabis has been shown to help alleviate many of these side effects, particularly nausea, and vomiting. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends the use of medical cannabis as an option for patients who are experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that is not controlled by standard antiemetic therapy.

Cannabis may also be helpful in stimulating appetite, which is often reduced during chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This can be especially important for cancer patients, as maintaining a healthy weight and adequate nutrition is important for overall health and treatment outcomes.

In addition to its anti-nausea and appetite-stimulating effects, medical cannabis may also help relieve pain and inflammation associated with cancer and its treatments. Some studies have even suggested that cannabis may have anti-tumor properties, though more research is needed to fully understand this potential benefit.

Overall, medical cannabis has the potential to improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy by reducing the severity of treatment-related side effects. However, patients need to work closely with their healthcare providers to determine if medical cannabis is a safe and appropriate option for their individual needs.

What Studies Exist to Support the Use of Cannabis for Chemoradiation Side Effects?

The 2022 review paper titled ‘Medical Cannabis Use In Oncology’ is published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States. The paper is a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge regarding the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in cancer treatment. The review paper concludes that while some studies have suggested that cannabis or cannabinoids may have potential therapeutic benefits in cancer treatment, the evidence is not yet sufficient to recommend their use as a standard treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects.

The 2022 article titled ‘The Effectiveness and Safety of Medical Cannabis for Treating Cancer-Related Symptoms in Oncology Patients’ published in Frontiers in Pain Research discusses the current and potential use of cannabis for pain management and treatment of several oncology-related symptoms. Such areas of potential use include chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, analgesia, cachexia, and tumour suppression.

The article also touches on the potential future developments in cannabis-based pain management, such as the use of synthetic cannabinoids, the development of personalized dosing regimens, and the integration of cannabis with other pain management strategies.

Overall, the article concludes that while there is still much to learn about the use of cannabis for pain management, the existing evidence suggests that it is a promising option with potential for further development and refinement.

Does cannabis for chemoradiation side effects have complications?

The side effects of using medical cannabis for pain, palliative, and cancer care can vary depending on the individual, the method of use, the dosage, and the type of cannabis used.

It can range from Psychotropic effects like euphoria, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion to cognitive ones including issues related to memory, attention, and reaction time. Besides, smoking or inhaling cannabis can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and bronchitis. This can be a concern for patients with preexisting lung conditions.

Cannabis can also cause changes in heart rate and blood pressure, which can be problematic for patients with cardiovascular disease and gastrointestinal discomfort, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

Key takeaways

• Medical cannabis is useful in alleviating many chemotherapy side effects, particularly nausea and vomiting, and stimulating appetite.

• Some studies have suggested that medical cannabis may also help relieve pain and inflammation associated with cancer and its treatments and even have anti-tumour properties.

• The existing evidence suggests that cannabis is a promising option for pain management with the potential for further development and refinement.

Please note: Overall, medical cannabis has the potential to improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy by reducing the severity of treatment-related side effects. However, patients need to work closely with their healthcare providers to determine if medical cannabis is a safe and appropriate option for their individual needs.