Researchers at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center have found that medical cannabis significantly eases chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a common and often debilitating side effect of cancer treatment.
The study analyzed patient-reported outcomes from 751 individuals treated through the medical cannabis provider Tikun Olam. Participants reported symptoms such as burning, numbness, cold sensations, and prickling at the start of treatment. They were divided into two groups: those using high-THC/low-CBD formulations and those using high-CBD/low-THC formulations.
After six months, both groups reported improvements in neuropathy symptoms, but the THC-dominant group experienced greater relief, particularly for burning and cold sensations. Patients in the THC group also reported significantly higher gains in quality of life and ability to perform daily activities. Importantly, the study found that THC and CBD worked best together, with their interaction strongly linked to symptom reduction.
The findings suggest that medical cannabis, and especially THC-rich formulations combined with CBD, may be an effective treatment option for cancer patients suffering from nerve pain and related complications of chemotherapy.
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