Patient Guide to Cannabis for Supportive Care
A step-by-step approach to safely incorporating cannabis products into your wellness routine during cancer treatment. This guide is about helping you feel better - managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
How Cannabis Can Help Cancer Patients
Cannabis is not a cure, but research and patient experiences show it can significantly help manage treatment side effects and improve daily comfort.
Pain Relief
Reduces chronic and acute pain from cancer and treatments
Nausea Control
Eases chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
Appetite Boost
Stimulates appetite to maintain nutrition and weight
Better Sleep
Improves sleep quality and helps with insomnia
Anxiety Relief
Calms anxiety and promotes emotional wellbeing
Quality of Life
Overall improvement in daily comfort and function
Your 6-Step Getting Started Guide
Follow these steps to safely and effectively incorporate cannabis into your supportive care routine.
Before starting any cannabis regimen, speak with your oncologist or palliative care team. They can advise on potential interactions with your current treatments.
- Bring a list of all current medications
- Ask about timing relative to chemotherapy sessions
- Discuss your specific symptoms and goals
- Request written recommendations if available in your jurisdiction
Different products work better for different symptoms. Understanding the options helps you make an informed choice.
- Oils/Tinctures: Fast-acting (15-45 min), good for acute nausea or breakthrough pain
- Capsules: Precise dosing, longer-lasting (4-8 hours), ideal for sustained relief
- Edibles: Slower onset (1-2 hours), longest duration, good for appetite and sleep
- RSO/FECO: Full-spectrum, potent options for severe symptoms
This is the golden rule of cannabis medicine. Begin with the lowest effective dose and gradually increase over days or weeks.
- Start with 2.5-5mg THC for beginners
- Wait at least 2 hours after edibles before considering more
- Increase by 2.5mg increments every 2-3 days
- Keep a symptom journal to track what works
Strategic timing maximizes benefits and minimizes unwanted effects during important activities.
- For nausea: Take 30-60 minutes before meals or chemotherapy
- For sleep: Take 1-2 hours before bedtime
- For pain: Maintain consistent dosing schedule
- For appetite: Time with meal schedules
Keeping detailed notes helps you and your healthcare team optimize your regimen over time.
- Record product, dose, time, and effects
- Note symptom relief on a 1-10 scale
- Track any side effects experienced
- Identify patterns over 2-4 weeks
Based on your tracking, work with your care team to fine-tune your approach for best results.
- Share your journal with your healthcare provider
- Consider ratio adjustments (THC:CBD)
- Try different consumption methods if needed
- Be patient - finding optimal dose takes time
Symptom-Specific Recommendations
Different symptoms respond best to different products and approaches. Here are targeted recommendations for common concerns.
- RSO or FECO for severe pain
- Balanced THC:CBD ratios work well
- Consider tinctures for breakthrough pain
- Capsules for sustained, all-day relief
Suggested starting dose: 5mg THC + 5mg CBD
- Tinctures for fast-acting relief
- Gummies between chemotherapy sessions
- Lower THC doses often sufficient
- Take preventatively before treatments
Suggested starting dose: 2.5-5mg THC
- Edibles often most effective
- Baked goods stimulate appetite well
- Time 30-60 minutes before meals
- THC-dominant products work best
Suggested starting dose: 2.5-5mg THC
- Capsules or edibles for duration
- Indica-leaning products preferred
- Take 1-2 hours before bed
- Consistent nightly dosing helps
Suggested starting dose: 5-10mg THC
- Start with CBD-dominant products
- Low THC doses (high can increase anxiety)
- Tinctures for quick relief
- Gummies for sustained calm
Suggested starting dose: 10mg CBD + 2.5mg THC
Quick Product Comparison
| Product Type | Onset Time | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinctures | 15-45 minutes | 4-6 hours | Acute nausea, breakthrough pain |
| Capsules | 30-90 minutes | 6-8 hours | Sustained pain relief, daily management |
| Edibles | 1-2 hours | 6-10 hours | Sleep, appetite, long-lasting relief |
| RSO/FECO | 1-2 hours | 8-12 hours | Severe symptoms, high tolerance |
Important Safety Tips
Drug Interactions
Cannabis can interact with certain medications, including some chemotherapy drugs. Always inform your medical team.
Avoid Driving
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while using THC products. Plan accordingly.
Store Safely
Keep all cannabis products in child-resistant containers, away from children and pets.
Stay Hydrated
Cannabis can cause dry mouth. Drink plenty of water, especially during treatment.
Start on Rest Days
Begin your cannabis journey on days without important appointments or treatments.
Have Support
Have a trusted person nearby when trying new products or doses, especially at first.
Ready to Get Started?
Browse our carefully curated selection of lab-tested cannabis oils and edibles, chosen specifically for their therapeutic potential.
Questions? Contact us or speak with your healthcare provider.