Study Finds THC Increases Survival Time in Palliative Care Patients

LOS ANGLES- A recent study conducted by German researchers has found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may significantly extend the survival time of ambulatory palliative patients. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids, the study explores the effects of THC on patients who typically receive it to improve sleep quality, appetite, and to reduce anxiety, stress, and pain.

Titled “The Use of Tetrahydrocannabinol Is Associated with an Increase in Survival Time in Palliative Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study,” the research analyzed data from five ambulatory palliative care teams in Brandenburg, Germany. It focused on two cohorts: one comprising all patients with at least seven days of survival post-admission to specialized ambulatory palliative care (SAPC), and a subgroup with survival ranging from seven to 100 days.

The study discovered that THC’s impact on extending life was significant only when administered in doses higher than 4.7 mg per day. In the subgroup of patients surviving between seven and 100 days, those receiving more than 4.7 mg of THC per day experienced a median survival time increase of 15 days compared to those receiving lower doses.

This groundbreaking research indicates that while THC is primarily prescribed to manage symptoms in palliative care, its application might also positively affect patient mortality. The findings suggest a potential for THC to play a more integral role in the treatment plans of palliative patients, pending further research.