Efficacy of Cannabinoids in Improving Nutritional Outcomes in Chemotherapy Patients: A Scoping Review.

Suleiman O.; Saride H.; Gagne K.; Balulescu X.; Elazar N.; Kara J.; Ribeiro M.; Riekki R.; Rodman E.; Wang J. et al. · Cureus · 2026

**Background & Methods** This scoping review examined the efficacy of cannabinoids in improving nutritional outcomes in chemotherapy patients by searching MEDLINE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Nine peer-reviewed original research publications were included and critically appraised, with data analysis focusing on weight loss, appetite, nausea, vomiting, and quality of life outcomes. **Key Findings** • Two small studies reported improvements in appetite with cannabinoid use, with one demonstrating significant weight gain; however, most included studies (majority) found no significant differences in nutritional outcomes compared with placebo or standard treatments • Cannabinoids showed a complex and variable role in managing chemotherapy-related side effects, with inconsistent evidence regarding their effectiveness in improving appetite, weight gain, and reducing nausea and vomiting • The review identified a critical gap in existing literature, as no systematic or scoping reviews on cannabinoids for nutritional indices (appetite, weight, side effect management) in chemotherapy patients had been previously conducted **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. The review did not specify standardized dosing regimens, routes of administration, or cannabinoid types (THC, CBD, or combinations) across the included studies. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. The review did not summarize specific adverse effects or safety profiles associated with cannabinoid use in the chemotherapy population studied. **Evidence Quality** The evidence base is limited by significant methodological constraints. Included studies had small sample sizes and high dropout rates, which substantially limit the generalizability and reliability of findings. The scoping review design itself represents a preliminary evidence synthesis rather than a rigorous systematic review with meta-analysis. The authors conclude that evidence for cannabinoids improving nutritional outcomes remains inconsistent and emphasize the need for more rigorous, well-designed research to establish optimal patient populations, dosing regimens, and long-term safety profiles. Clinicians are advised to monitor emerging evidence and consider individualized cannabinoid therapy when managing chemotherapy-related symptoms, indicating current evidence does not support standardized clinical protocols.

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