Are you or a loved one living with a terminal illness and are or will soon be residing in a palliative care facility? Have you thought about, or even heard of, using cannabis products for symptom management? Did you know that cannabis has been used for several illnesses dating back to ancient times? However, the use of cannabis, all but dwindled within the medical community, courtesy of social and legal fears of substance abuse. With the emerging use of medical cannabis to help relieve numerous symptoms, it’s no surprise that interest has again peaked in the use of medicinal cannabis and its benefits for symptom relief support.
About Cannabis And Palliative Care
In a palliative care environment, some patient symptoms can be hard to treat using only the treatment measures available. Cannabinoids may be a promising pharmacologic option to promote the management of pain for this group of patients.
Cannabinoids are natural chemicals obtained from the cannabis plant, or they can be manufactured synthetically. They engage with cannabinoid receptors, or they share chemical sameness with endocannabinoids or both. In palliative care medicine, some cancer symptoms may be modulated via cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Some possible symptoms that could find treatment support include:
- Pain
- Mood
- Appetite
- Sleep disorders
- Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy
Opioids are generally prescribed for symptom relief. However, they overlap with cannabinoid receptors’ neuroanatomical receptor distribution, mainly at the dorsal striatum, dorsal horn, and locus coeruleus. Cannabidiol (CBD) is touted for its anti-inflammatory attributes. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive substance that may aid with insomnia and mood swings. Nabiximols (Sativex), a combination of CBD and THC, is FDA approved for epilepsy and some multiple sclerosis symptoms.
Unpleasant side effects and poor symptom control have been attributed to opioids and other medications encouraging individuals to add the support of cannabinoid-based options(CBM).
What is Palliative Care?
The goal of Palliative care is to enhance the quality of life for those patients living with incurable or terminal illness. Medical cannabis (MC) has been utilized in palliative care support to help treat numerous symptoms in terminally ill patients.
In the context of the aging population, the demand for palliative care is rapidly increasing. Generally, people suffering from terminal illnesses go through substantial symptoms and discomfort that oftentimes gets worse over time. Many patients complain of eight to twelve symptoms, with the most common being:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Dyspnea
- Anorexia
- Cachexia
- Depression
Additionally, quick societal evolution in attitudes related to the use of cannabis and CBD therapy for chronic pain has increased globally.
- In America, 33 states have legalized prescription-based medicinal cannabis for a plethora of medical conditions.
- Medical Cannabis in Canada has been legalized since 2001.
- The European Union (EU) has declared that medical cannabis must be made available for each EU citizen over the course of the next 4 years.
Cannabis As Part Of Palliative Care
When integrating medical cannabis as an aide for treatment, every patient should first undergo a risk-benefit conversation, as well as a comprehensive assessment prior to any cannabis-based intervention.
According to this article written by Norml, the usefulness of cannabis in senior care and palliative environments is widely supported in the results of a nation wide survey. A combined 310 palliative care specialists from 40 states, consisting of administrators, nurses, and physicians, answered a survey on practice, experience, and opinions regarding medicinal cannabis. This was also the biggest survey, nationally, to date on this particular topic. Of the respondents, a whopping 91% suggested support for utilizing medical cannabis for hospice patients.
Conclusion
If you would like to learn more about medical cannabis for palliative care support, fill out the form below. We can provide you with the answers you need, and help you along in your journey. We look forward to working with you.
