Cancer, Chemotherapy, and Vomiting
At present, there is a dichotomy regarding the interaction between cancer, chemotherapy, and marijuana use. First, cannabis is not approved by the FDA to treat cancer or nausea associated with chemotherapy. Second, alternatively, several studies have shown marijuana use may be helpful in treating both nausea and vomiting. However, while FDA approval has not been obtained, potentially, marijuana may render life more bearable through several means, including soothing anxiety, increasing appetite, and reduction of vomiting. Additionally, trials are still pending regarding applicable dosages and potential pain relief.
Supporting Articles
Medical marijuana for cancer
Kramer, J. L. (2015). Medical marijuana for cancer. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 65(2), 109-122. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21260
The use of medical marijuana in cancer
Birdsall, S. M., Birdsall, T. C., & Tims, L. A. (2016). The use of medical marijuana in cancer. Current Oncology Reports, 18(7), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-016-0530-0
Attitudes and beliefs about medical usefulness and legalization of marijuana among cancer patients
Tanco, K., Dumlao, D., Kreis, R., Nguyen, K., Dibaj, S., Liu, D., Marupakula, V., Shaikh, A., Baile, W., & Bruera, E. (2019). Attitudes and beliefs about medical usefulness and legalization of marijuana among cancer patients in a legalized and a nonlegalized state. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 22(10), 1213-1220. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0218
Oral THC: CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Grimison, P., Mersiades, A., Kirby, A., Lintzeris, N., Morton, R., Haber, P., Olver, I., Walsh, A., McGregor, I., Cheung, Y., Tognela, A., Hahn, C., Briscoe, K., Aghmesheh, M., Fox, P., Abdi, E., Clarke, S., Della-Fiorentina, S., Shannon, J., … Stockler, M. (2020). Oral THC: CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of Oncology, 31(11), 1553-1560. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.07.020
Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract
Duran, M., Pérez, E., Abanades, S., Vidal, X., Saura, C., Majem, M., Arriola, E., Rabanal, M., Pastor, A., Farré, M., Rams, N., Laporte, J., & Capellà, D. (2010). Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 70(5), 656-663. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03743.x
A review of oral cannabinoids and medical marijuana for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea
Badowski, M. E. (2017). A review of oral cannabinoids and medical marijuana for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A focus on pharmacokinetic variability and pharmacodynamics. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 80(3), 441-449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-017-3387-5