The results of yet another study by North American scientists propose the use of cannabis ingredient — THC to improve quality of life of frail cancer patients. The pilot study, designed like a phase 1 trial has shown positive results for increase in appetite, better sensory perceptions and improved protein intake in patients with advanced cancer.
“Our findings are important, as there is no accepted treatment for chemosensory alterations experienced by cancer patients. We are excited about the possibilities that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could be used to improve patients’ enjoyment of food,” said Dr Wendy Wismer who led the research at University of Alberta, Canada.
It is well known that majority of the cancer patients suffer from loss of weight and appetite. These effects can be a result of chemotherapy or the cancer itself and lead to weight loss, anorexia, a worse quality of life and decreased survival.
“It’s very important to address these problems as both appetite loss and alterations to taste and smell lead to involuntary weight loss and reduce an individual’s ability to tolerate treatment and to stay healthy in general,” added Dr Wismer
In the study, advanced cancer patients suffering from loss of appetite received oral capsules containing THC (the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis), with increasing dosage for a period of 18 days.
A clear majority of the sample reported increased appetite and appreciation of food in general, better quality of sleep and relaxation and improved protein intake. However, no significant increase in calorie intake was observed.
Increased appetite and heightened sensory perceptions is typical of a cannabis- high. Under this context, this study simply provides journal-evidence (published in the Annals of Oncology) and in a sense validates the idea that frail cancer patients can benefit from hunger inducing properties of cannabis.
However, intrinsic links between cancer and cannabis are unclear. The cancer research community has been not only divided on this front but also very confused. Research of different sizes and forms has continuously been published with contrasting results. For example, a larger study by German and Swiss scientists published in 2006 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology demonstrated that there was no link between THC and cancer patients’ appetite or quality of life.
Standing by their results the team of scientists also cautioned that the constraint of dosages used might be causing false negative results. Similarly, other large studies have also been inconclusive, crumbling under the weight of their practical limitations such as small sample size, less number of heavy marijuana users, illegality of the drug, dosage sensitivities etc.
Numerous studies in the past have suggested that marijuana can be responsible for causing cancer. Most prominent of these are the ones that suggest high risk of bladder and testicular cancer. But these have consistently faced the “hard to verify” reaction from experts.
It is certain however, that smoking cannabis (which is often mixed with tobacco in a joint) poses the same threats that cigarettes do, and in effect increases the risk to lung cancer.
In contrast, some studies in the recent years have tried to prove that there is no link between cancer and cannabis. A recent lab-based experimentation went further and demonstrated that pure cannabidols- active chemicals in the plant, have properties to destroy some tumours and cancers selectively. I
Indifferent to all this ambiguity, the culture of marijuana dispensaries is taking the United States and Canada by storm.
Fourteen states in the United States have legalised marijuana for health purposes while the federal government still debates the issue.
Encouraged by her small study, Dr Wismer is of the view that while research community takes hold of this conundrum, doctors could consider THC treatment for cancer patients.
Millions of people around the world, some illegally and some legally are using cannabis as a medical herb to alleviate conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain and even cancer.