Supporting gut health with medicinal cannabis in people with advanced cancer: potential benefits and challenges

Abstract

The side effects of cancer therapy continue to cause significant health and cost burden to the patient, their friends and family, and governments. A major barrier in the way in which these side effects are managed is the highly siloed mentality that results in a fragmented approach to symptom control. Increasingly, it is appreciated that many symptoms are manifestations of common underlying pathobiology, with changes in the gastrointestinal environment a key driver for many symptom sequelae. Breakdown of the mucosal barrier (mucositis) is a common and early side effect of many anti-cancer agents, known to contribute (in part) to a range of highly burdensome symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, infection, malnutrition, fatigue, depression, and insomnia. Here, we outline a rationale for how, based on its already documented effects on the gastrointestinal microenvironment, medicinal cannabis could be used to control mucositis and prevent the constellation of symptoms with which it is associated. We will provide a brief update on the current state of evidence on medicinal cannabis in cancer care and outline the potential benefits (and challenges) of using medicinal cannabis during active cancer therapy.

Buds and Bugs: A Fascinating Tale of Gut Microbiota and Cannabis in the Fight Against Cancer

“…A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed associations between cannabis usage and alterations in the human microbiome, which must be considered in future research on the therapeutic effects of cannabis on patients (May Soe et al, 2023). Cannabis extracts increased microbial diversity and richness in a mouse model of metabolic disease while promoting the enrichment of microbial taxa associated with health (Wardill et al, 2023).…”

Buds and Bugs: A Fascinating Tale of Gut Microbiota and Cannabis in the Fight against Cancer

“…A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed associations between cannabis usage and alterations in the human microbiome, which must be considered in future research on the therapeutic effects of cannabis on patients [104]. Cannabis extracts increased microbial diversity and richness in a mouse model of metabolic disease while promoting the enrichment of microbial taxa associated with health [105].…”