palliative-care
Palliative care is a medical approach focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with serious or terminal illnesses, rather than curing the underlying disease. In plant science, this field intersects with research into plant-derived compounds—such as cannabinoids—that show promise in managing pain, nausea, and other distressing symptoms in patients receiving such care. Studying these bioactive plant molecules helps researchers understand their pharmacological properties and potential therapeutic applications in symptom management.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-06-29
Cancer patients managing more severe pain, anxiety, and appetite loss were significantly more likely to report using cannabis products, according to a 2024 retrospective study at a U.S. tertiary cancer center. Women, older patients, and Black or African American patients were less likely to report use, pointing to demographic disparities in who turns to cannabis for symptom relief.
11.14% of palliative care patients self-reported cannabis use during their first consultation at the clinic in 2024.
Higher pain, anxiety, and appetite disturbance were each independently associated with increased odds of cannabis use in multivariate analysis.
Female sex, older age, and Black or African American race were associated with lower odds of self-reported cannabis use, indicating demographic disparities.
