Recently, a comprehensive study found consistent support for medical cannabis as a helpful tool in managing common side effects of cancer and its treatments, including pain, nausea, and appetite loss.

Cannabis is the plant used to produce marijuana and hemp. It contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate pain, mood, appetite, and more. The two most studied cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC is the main compound responsible for the “high” people feel when using marijuana. CBD, on the other hand, does not cause a high and is often used in oils, creams, and supplement products. Research suggests that both THC and CBD may help relieve pain, reduce nausea, and improve appetite — common challenges for people undergoing cancer treatment.

The study was a meta-analysis, a type of research that analyzes data from multiple studies. For the meta-analysis, researchers analyzed 10,641 peer-reviewed articles using a method called sentiment analysis. This means they evaluated the overall tone and conclusions of published research to assess how strongly studies supported cannabis. They found far more positive sentiment than negative in the literature toward cannabis as a supportive therapy in cancer care, especially for chemotherapy-induced nausea, chronic pain, and treatment-related appetite issues.

Know the Potential Benefits and Risks

For people going through chemotherapy or managing long-term treatment side effects, cannabis may offer symptom relief, especially for nausea, pain, and appetite loss. According to the study, cannabis showed a particularly strong correlation with pain relief and improvements in quality of life.

However, medical cannabis is not risk-free. Consider these important cautions:

• Cannabis can affect how your body processes certain cancer treatments, blood thinners, antidepressants, and other drugs.
• Cannabis can cause side effects including dizziness, fatigue, increased heart rate, paranoia, and hallucinations. While CBD is generally well tolerated, it can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and changes in appetite.
• Product quality varies. Most cannabis products — even those sold at dispensaries — are not regulated like prescription drugs. Labels may be inaccurate.
• It’s not legal everywhere. Cannabis is still illegal under U.S. federal law, and state laws vary. Even in states where it’s legal, some employers prohibit cannabis use — even for medical reasons.
• It’s not a cancer treatment. Cannabis may help with symptoms, but it should never replace proven cancer treatments without your doctor’s guidance.

Before trying cannabis, talk to your oncologist or cancer care team. They can help you determine whether it might be a safe, helpful option for your situation. They may also refer you to a palliative care specialist, who could recommend which type is likely to be most helpful for you.

Learn about other approaches for relieving pain from breast cancer and its treatments.

Find Your Team

On MyBCTeam, the social network for people living with breast cancer and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Have you tried cannabis for symptom relief during treatment? What was your experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below, start a conversation on your Activities page, or connect with like-minded members in Groups.