Cannabis may improve the enjoyment of food for cancer patients, researchers say today.
The active ingredient in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was tested for its impact on taste and smell perception, appetite, calorie intake, and quality of life among 46 adults with advanced cancer.
They received either THC or placebo in an oral capsule twice a day for 18 days. THC was associated with significantly improved and enhanced taste and smell perception, and patients said food tasted better.
In this group, appetite was significantly higher, as were quality of sleep and relaxation. Overall calorie intake and quality of life improved in both groups.
The study is published in Annals of Oncology. Dr Wendy Wismer of the University of Alberta in Canada led the study. She said: "Our findings are important, as there is no accepted treatment for chemosensory alterations experienced by cancer patients. We are excited about the possibilities that THC could be used to improve patients’ enjoyment of food."
She added that problems with appetite can be caused by both cancer and chemotherapy, and affect most patients.
"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," she said.
"Additionally, the social enjoyment of eating is greatly reduced and quality of life is affected. For a long time everyone has thought that nothing could be done about this."
Dr Wismer warned that larger trials are needed to test the findings further, but recommends that doctors consider giving THC to cancer patients.
Brisbois, T. D. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol may palliate altered chemosensory perception in cancer patients: results of 5 a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Annals of Oncology, published online February 23, 2011.
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