The drugs used to treat cancer are among the most powerful and toxic used in modern medicine. They kill both cancer cells and healthy cells indiscriminately, producing unpleasant and dangerous side effects. One of the most common is chronic nausea and vomiting after each chemotherapy session. The loss of weight and strength can be serious and even life threatening in its own right.
Cannabis can be used as an antiemetic, a drug which relieves nausea and helps patients to eat and live more normally. It is safer, cheaper and often more effective than standard, synthetic antiemetics.
Smoking cannabis can be more effective than taking it orally as patients may have difficulty keeping anything down long enough for it to take effect. For some people the euphoric properties act as an anti-depressant and the appetite stimulus makes weight maintenance easier, increasing the chances of recovery.
