Palliative care is a cornerstone of healthcare, aiming to augment the quality of life for patients grappling with terminal illnesses. Within this sphere, the utilization of medicinal cannabis (MC) has emerged as a prospective avenue for alleviating various symptoms and fostering overall well-being. This article scrutinizes a systematic review conducted by Marjan Doppen and colleagues, shedding light on the current evidence regarding MC’s effects and potential drawbacks in palliative care settings.
With the burgeoning interest in alternative therapies, medicinal cannabis has garnered attention due to its potential therapeutic advantages. Patients undergoing palliative care often encounter an array of distressing symptoms, including pain, nausea, diminished appetite, and disruptions in sleep patterns. Traditional treatment modalities may prove inadequate in assuaging these symptoms, prompting exploration into alternative options such as MC.
While the review’s findings hint at promising benefits of MC in palliative care, the overall quality of evidence was judged to be low. Only two randomized controlled trials exhibited a low risk of bias, underscoring the necessity for further high-quality research in this realm. The heterogeneity in cannabis products employed and the variability in study outcomes accentuate the intricacy of evaluating MC’s efficacy in palliative care settings. Hence, notwithstanding the potential therapeutic promise of MC, robust evidence is imperative to steer its clinical utilization effectively. Cannabis is a wisdom medicine that requires care and skill for use.
Despite limited evidence, healthcare practitioners should consider Medical Cannabis (MC) for palliative care symptom management. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex biological system that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in the body. It is comprised of endocannabinoids, which are natural cannabinoids produced by the body, and the receptors that they bind to. The two main types of receptors in the ECS are CB1 and CB2, which are found throughout the body and brain.
The ECS regulates a wide range of functions, including pain perception, appetite, mood, sleep, immune function, and more. When an imbalance in any of these functions occurs, it can lead to various health problems. For example, chronic pain is often associated with a dysfunction in the ECS.
The use of medical cannabis (MC) is thought to help regulate the ECS and restore balance to these physiological processes. This is because the cannabinoids found in MC, such as THC and CBD, can bind to the same receptors as the endocannabinoids produced by the body. In doing so, they can help to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and modulate mood and appetite.
Research into the ECS and its relationship with MC is ongoing, but the potential therapeutic benefits of this system are becoming increasingly clear. By targeting the ECS with MC, it may be possible to treat a wide range of health conditions and improve overall well-being. Rigorous patient monitoring, bespoke treatment plans, and reasonable decision-making are indispensable to integrating MC into clinical practice. Collaborative endeavors among healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers are warranted to catalyze further research and delineate evidence-based guidelines for employing MC in palliative care, thereby ensuring patients receive holistic and compassionate care tailored to their distinctive needs.
References:
Doppen, M., Kung, S., Maijers, I., John, M., Dunphy, H., Townsley, H., Eathorne, A., Semprini, A., & Braithwaite, I. (2022). Cannabis in Palliative Care: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.06.002.
Contact: Keith W Fiveson, 917-952-9662 at www.workmindfulness.com / www.mettatouch.org