How cannabis can improve the quality of life in palliative care.
As a head grower and cultivator at Archevita, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how medical cannabis can transform the lives of patients facing serious illnesses. Perhaps nowhere is this transformation more profound than in palliative care settings, where the focus shifts from curative treatments to improving quality of life and providing comfort.
Palliative care addresses the complex needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses, focusing on pain management, symptom control, and emotional support. In recent years, medical cannabis has emerged as a valuable complementary therapy in this field, offering patients alternative options when conventional treatments fall short.
Palliative care patients often face a constellation of challenging symptoms including:
- Chronic pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Anxiety and depression
- Breathlessness
These symptoms can significantly diminish quality of life during an already difficult time. Traditional medications sometimes provide inadequate relief or come with debilitating side effects that create new problems while attempting to solve others.
Pain is often the most distressing symptom for palliative care patients. Cannabis contains cannabinoids—primarily THC and CBD—that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to modulate pain perception. Unlike opioids, cannabis doesn't suppress the respiratory system, making it a potentially safer option for long-term pain management.
At Archevita, we cultivate specific chemovars (cannabis varieties) with balanced cannabinoid profiles that patients report provide effective pain relief without excessive sedation. Varieties rich in both THC and CBD often work synergistically to address different pain pathways simultaneously.
The "munchies" effect often associated with cannabis can be life-changing for patients experiencing disease-related cachexia or medication-induced appetite loss. THC-dominant strains particularly excel at stimulating appetite, helping patients maintain nutritional intake and preserve muscle mass.
For patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, cannabis can be remarkably effective at controlling nausea and vomiting—sometimes outperforming conventional antiemetics. The cannabinoid THC directly affects the brain's vomiting center, while CBD appears to work through different mechanisms to provide additional antiemetic effects.
The psychological burden of serious illness can be overwhelming. Certain cannabis varieties can help lift mood, reduce anxiety, and even help patients process difficult emotions surrounding end-of-life issues. CBD-dominant options offer anxiety relief without significant intoxication, while balanced THC:CBD products can provide mood elevation with manageable psychoactivity.
Quality sleep is essential for healing and quality of life. Cannabis varieties with sedating terpene profiles (like those rich in myrcene, linalool, and terpinolene) can help patients achieve more restful sleep without the hangover effects or dependency risks associated with many prescription sleep medications.
Palliative care patients often need flexible administration options depending on their condition and preferences:
- Inhalation (vaporization preferred over smoking): Provides rapid onset for breakthrough symptoms
- Oils and tinctures: Allow for precise dosing and longer duration of effects
- Capsules: Provide extended relief with convenient, standardized dosing
- Topicals: Offer localized relief without systemic effects
- Suppositories: Valuable for patients with swallowing difficulties or GI issues
At Archevita, we prioritize clean, solventless extraction methods to ensure our products are free from residual chemicals that could harm vulnerable patients.
While anecdotal evidence from patients and caregivers is compelling, the scientific research supporting cannabis in palliative care continues to grow:
- A 2019 review published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that cannabinoids showed promise for palliation of pain, nausea, and appetite disturbances
- Research from Israel, where medical cannabis is widely integrated into palliative care, shows improvements in pain, mood, and quality of life metrics
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded there is substantial evidence for cannabis in chronic pain treatment and chemotherapy-induced nausea
Nevertheless, more comprehensive clinical trials are needed to establish optimal dosing protocols and efficacy for specific conditions.
For palliative care patients, especially those without previous cannabis experience, we recommend beginning with minimal doses and gradually titrating up. This approach minimizes adverse effects while allowing patients to find their optimal therapeutic window.
Cannabis therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Patients should keep a symptom journal to track which products, doses, and timing patterns work best for their specific needs. Regular consultation with healthcare providers familiar with medical cannabis is essential.
Palliative care patients often take multiple medications, creating potential for drug interactions. CBD in particular can affect the metabolism of many pharmaceuticals by inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. This underscores the importance of medical supervision when incorporating cannabis into a palliative care plan.
Medical cannabis laws vary dramatically by location. Even in regions with legal medical cannabis, palliative care patients may face barriers:
- Insurance typically doesn't cover cannabis therapies
- Hospice and nursing facilities may have restrictive policies
- Some physicians remain hesitant to recommend cannabis
Patient advocates and organizations are working to address these barriers and improve access for this vulnerable population.
In my years working with medical cannabis at Archevita, I've seen remarkable improvements in patients' comfort and quality of life when cannabis is thoughtfully integrated into palliative care plans. While not a panacea, cannabis offers a versatile tool that addresses multiple symptoms simultaneously with generally manageable side effects.
For patients facing life-limiting illness, cannabis can provide not just physical relief but also help preserve dignity, autonomy, and even moments of joy during difficult times. As research advances and access improves, I believe we'll see cannabis become a standard component of comprehensive palliative care.
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*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare providers regarding treatment options for your specific condition.*
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