“The use of THC is associated with a significant increase in survival time in palliative outpatients".
This is what one concluded scientific study published in the magazine Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids. But let's proceed in order.
The researchers started from an awareness: "THC is often prescribed to outpatients with palliative care to improve sleep quality and appetite and to reduce anxiety, stress and pain. However, it is not known whether THC also has an effect on the mortality of these patients."
To verify this last aspect, they were examined the data of over 9 thousand patients of 5 different palliative care practices in Brandenburg, Germany.
And the results were encouraging.
Longer survival time and improved quality of life
“The survival time has been calculated for 3 groups of patients: (1) without THC; (2) with low-dose THC (≤4.7 mg per day); and (3) THC at higher doses (≥4.7 mg per day),” the study reads.
In particular, "The analysis has been carried out for 2 cohorts of patients. Cohort 1: all patients with a survival time of at least 7 days after entry into specialized outpatient palliative care (SAPC) and cohort 2: a subgroup of patients with a survival time between 7 and 100 days."
And “in both cohorts,” the researchers write, “survival time was significantly prolonged by THC. But only when the daily dose of THC was above the average of 4.7 mg."
But it doesn't end here. “Beyond simple survival, THC patients become more mentally and physically active,” the research concludes. And "the increase in activity and quality improvement of life could allow patients to renew social contacts with relatives and friends and to settle essential matters before dying."
Despite this, however, the authors would like to underline that the study presents some limitations limitations, how the retrospective design, the reliance on real data, and the differences between patient groups and the use of THC in each treatment center.
