Symptom Management
Cancer Playbook is designed to support patients managing the complex and often overwhelming side effects of cancer and its treatments. This section provides evidence-informed approaches drawn from patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and research-backed insights. Each symptom below includes a breakdown of potentially helpful terpenes and strategies that have shown promise in real-world cases.
Nausea
- Phytol
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Limonene
- Using at least 5mg THC per dose of THC oil helped the patient reduce nausea
Read More > - Within 1 week of using rice-grain amounts of THC FECO and CBD FECO 3x/day, the patient no longer had any nausea
Read More > - The patient noted that CBD oil was the only thing that worked for controlling his nausea
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- This study found that over 96% of individuals using cannabis for nausea experienced significant symptom relief within one hour, with improvements often starting within five minutes. The results highlight that flower and concentrate products, especially those higher in THC, were particularly effective, underscoring cannabis’s rapid and potent anti-nausea properties.
Read More> - This randomized, placebo-controlled trial found that adding oral THC:CBD extract significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients who were not helped by standard antiemetic medications. Despite some mild side effects like dizziness and sedation, a strong majority of patients preferred cannabis treatment over placebo, highlighting its potential as a valuable supportive therapy in cancer care.
Read More > - This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that cannabinoids were significantly more effective than conventional antiemetics and placebo in controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Despite slightly higher rates of minor side effects, patients overwhelmingly preferred cannabinoids, reinforcing their important therapeutic potential in cancer care.
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- Linalool
- Alpha-pinene
- Limonene
- Myrcene
- Borneol
- Phytol
- Eucalyptol
- Sabinene
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Geraniol
- Ocimene
- Using at least 5mg THC per dose of THC oil helped the patient sleep better and reduce insomnia
Read More > - Within 1 week of using rice-grain amounts of THC FECO and CBD FECO 3x/day, the patient was sleeping better
Read More > - The patient has tried many over-the-counter medications for sleep with no success, and the only thing that has helped with chronic insomnia is CBD oil. He said, “Having it taken away would mean that my good nights of sleep would go away.”
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- This randomized controlled trial found that medicinal cannabis oil containing THC and CBD significantly improved sleep quality, melatonin levels, and daily functioning in adults with insomnia. After just two weeks of treatment, 60% of participants were no longer classified as clinical insomniacs, highlighting the strong therapeutic potential of cannabis for sleep disorders.
Read More > - This systematic review found that cannabis often subjectively improved sleep quality, particularly for patients with pain-related disorders, though objective sleep architecture changes were less clear. While evidence is still limited and dosing guidance remains challenging, cannabis was generally well tolerated without serious adverse events, supporting its continued exploration as a sleep aid.
Read More > - This review highlights that whole-plant cannabis consumption can positively modify sleep, with vaporized high-THC cannabis promoting deeper NREM sleep in animal studies. Although promising, the authors emphasize the need for more clinical research to fully confirm cannabis’s therapeutic potential for sleep disorders.
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Poor Sleep-Insomnia
Pain
- Alpha-pinene
- Limonene
- Myrcene
- Borneol
- Eucalyptol
- Linalool
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Geraniol
- Sabinene
- Ocimene
- Guaiol
- Using at least 5mg THC per dose of THC oil helped the patient alleviate pain
Read More > - Despite dealing with pain for at least 8 months, the patient was pain free within 1 week of using rice-grain amounts of THC FECO and CBD FECO 3x/day
Read More > - CBD helped the patient manage her pain more effectively
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- Clinical studies show that cannabis extracts, particularly those with balanced THC and CBD, can reduce pain with mostly mild and brief side effects. Lower THC doses appear to offer similar pain relief to higher doses while minimizing psychoactive effects, suggesting safer and more tolerable options for patients.
Read More > - In a prospective study, chronic pain patients using long-term opioid therapy who trialed medical cannabis experienced an average opioid use reduction of over 67%, with many maintaining significant pain relief. The findings suggest medical cannabis can be an effective option for reducing opioid dependence while managing chronic pain safely.
Read More > - In a survey of chronic pain patients, medical cannabis use was associated with a 64% reduction in opioid use, fewer medication side effects, and improved quality of life. These findings suggest that many patients are successfully substituting cannabis for opioids in managing chronic pain.
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- Linalool
- Eugenol
- Eucalyptol
- Sabinene
- Alpha-pinene
- Fenchone
- Within 1 week of using rice-grain amounts of THC FECO and CBD FECO 3x/day, the patient could finally eat again
Read More > - After 2 weeks of using 1 gram per day of THC FECO, the patient had better appetite and felt better overall
Read More > - CBD helped the patient improve her appetite
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- This study found that medical cannabis use in patients significantly improved appetite for some individuals, although it did not always lead to measurable increases in caloric intake or body weight. These findings suggest that cannabis helps enhance appetite even when nutritional status remains unchanged, offering potential symptomatic relief for patients.
Read More > - This study found that using cannabis by eating, smoking, or vaping changed hormone levels linked to appetite and metabolism, including reducing insulin spikes after eating. The results suggest cannabis may help regulate appetite and blood sugar in practical ways for users.
Read More > - This systematic review found limited but promising evidence that medicinal cannabis may help improve appetite and taste perception in people with cancer, with cannabis products generally well tolerated. More research is needed to better understand the best doses and products for managing cancer-related appetite loss.
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Loss of Appetite
Constipation
- Linalool
- Limonene
- CBD oil allowed the patient to better control their bowels, helping to some extent with constipation
Read More > - The patient stated that taking CBD oil made bowel movements more regular, with less mucous in stool and less pain, in addition to lowering anxiety
Read More > - After about 8 weeks of CBD oil use, the patient’s constipation improved, eventually to the point where it went away entirely
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- Recent cannabis use associated with 30% decreased odds of constipation
Read More > - Water extract of cannabis alleviates constipation symptoms depending on the gut microbiota in a mouse model
Read More > - Supplementing pigs with Cannabis sativa byproducts during the transition period improved their postpartum health by increasing feed intake, reducing constipation, and promoting more active behavior. These findings suggest cannabis supplementation could enhance recovery and welfare in animals after giving birth, highlighting cannabis’s anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
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- Phytol
- THC FECO and CBD FECO, dosed in a 3:1 CBD:THC ratio, reduced vomiting by half within 2 months
Read More > - Within about a few days of using CBD, the patient’s nausea and vomiting decreased by 50%
Read More > - Through the use of various medical cannabis products, including THC FECO, the patient’s nause and vomiting was reduced to at least some extent
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Vomiting
Headaches
- Borneol
- THC FECO effectively reduced headaches at doses of between 1-2 grams per day
Read More > - Within 3 days of using a large pea-sized THC FECO dose each day, the patient’s headaches went away
Read More > - CBD use effectively reduced the pain associated with the patient’s headaches
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- Cannabis inhalation significantly reduced headache and migraine severity by nearly 50%, with men and users of concentrates experiencing the greatest relief. Although some tolerance to cannabis’s effects was observed over time, no evidence of medication overuse headache was found.
Read More > - Cannabis-derived products are increasingly recognized as a relatively well-tolerated option for managing chronic pain, including headaches, with research showing reductions in pain scores and potential decreases in opioid use. While no cannabis products are yet FDA-approved for headache treatment, growing clinical understanding highlights their promise and the need for informed patient counseling.
Read More > - Medical cannabis shows promise as an effective and convenient option for managing chronic nonmalignant pain, helping patients reduce symptom burden through its action on the endocannabinoid system. Although U.S. research remains limited due to federal restrictions, existing studies highlight cannabis’s potential benefits for chronic pain relief.
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- Alpha-pinene
- Limonene
- Borneol
- Phytol
- Eucalyptol
- Linalool
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Geraniol
- 1/3rd gram THC FECO per day helped the patient tremendously with anxiety reduction
Read More > - 1 rice grain THC FECO immediately helped alleviate anxiety, and this efficacy appeared to be maintained throughout the patient’s conventional treatment as she maintained that dosage
Read More > - Using CBD lozenge and CBD suppositories helped control the patient’s anxiety
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- Survey studies and anecdotal reports suggest that cannabis may help reduce anxiety symptoms, but clinical trials to date have produced mixed results due to small sample sizes and federal limitations. While early evidence is promising, more high-quality research is needed to fully understand cannabis’s role in treating anxiety disorders.
Read More > - Clinical and laboratory studies suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) shows promise for reducing anxiety symptoms. While THC may help some individuals with anxiety, it might slightly worsen symptoms in others, highlighting the importance of cautious prescribing and careful patient monitoring.
Read More > - Research suggests that cannabis use is strongly associated with anxiety, not becasue it causes anxiety but rather through self-medication of anxiety by cannabis. Evidence for cannabis causing anxiety disorders is weak, and the majority of studies support cannabis as a tool sought out by those already dealing with anxiety rather than a trigger for new cases.
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Anxiety
Stress
- Limonene
- Terpinene
- Linalool
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Geraniol
- Humulene
- The patient stated that CBD oil has helped get her through all the disruptions in her life by calming her down without side effects
Read More > - 1/3rd gram THC FECO per day helped the patient tremendously with stress reduction
Read More > - 1 rice grain THC FECO immediately helped alleviate stress, and this efficacy appeared to be maintained throughout the patient’s conventional treatment as she maintained that dosage
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- CBD shows strong potential for reducing stress-related symptoms and fear-based behaviors, particularly in conditions like PTSD, by supporting healthier endocannabinoid system function. While preclinical studies are encouraging, more clinical research is needed to confirm CBD’s effectiveness in treating stress-related disorders in humans.
Read More > - Medical cannabis was associated with significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and pain, across multiple cannabis varieties. Patients reported noticeable differences in symptom relief depending on the strain used, suggesting that targeted cannabis selection may enhance PTSD management.
Read More > - Cannabis-based medicines like THC and CBD have shown potential to improve certain stress-related symptoms of mental disorders such as anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse, often with generally mild side effects. However, current evidence remains limited due to small study sizes.
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- Linalool
- Beta-pinene
- Limonene
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Geraniol
- Borneol
- Eucalyptol
- Sabinene
- Guaiol
- CBD was helping reduce the patient’s depression and they were currently working on stopping their pharmaceutical depression medication at time of report
Read More > - With the use of CBD oil, the patient’s depression lifted within days
Read More > - CBD oil and a CBD tincture reduced symptoms of depression
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- In a large real-time study, nearly 96% of patients reported immediate relief from depression symptoms after using cannabis flower, with significant symptom reductions observed. THC levels were the strongest predictor of positive effects, while CBD had little impact, suggesting cannabis flower may offer antidepressant benefits for many users.
Read More > - A study of patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in the UK found significant reductions in depression symptoms at 1, 3, and 6 months, along with improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, and overall health. Most side effects were mild.
Read More > - Interviews with individuals who had used both SSRIs and cannabis for depression revealed that while each was used at different life stages for different reasons, both were viewed as alternative options for symptom relief. The study emphasized the importance of personalized treatment approaches and highlighted how presenting cannabis options in doctor-patient relationships significantly influences treatment choices.
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Depression
Fatigue
- Alpha-pinene
- Limonene
- Linalool
- Eucalyptol
- Beta-caryophyllene
- Within 1 week of using rice-grain amounts of THC FECO and CBD FECO, the patient said they were no longer tired
Read More > - After conventional cancer treatments were completed, CBD oil helped alleviate remaining fatigue
Read More > - THC flower, mixed THC/CBD flower, and CBD tincture were tremendously effective for reducing chronic fatigue where nothing else worked
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- Most patients reported a significant reduction in fatigue after using cannabis flower, with about 92% experiencing symptom relief. Although a minority experienced side effects like feeling unmotivated, many reported increased energy, suggesting cannabis flower may offer practical benefits for managing fatigue.
Read More > - Medical cannabis was found to be safe and well-tolerated among fibromyalgia patients across multiple studies, with no serious adverse events reported. Evidence suggests cannabis may offer meaningful fatigue-related relief for patients, though more research is needed to refine treatment approaches.
Read More > - Research suggests that cannabis may help reduce pain, improve sleep, and alleviate fatigue symptoms for fibromyalgia patients.
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*Disclaimer: Always consult with a physician or other qualified health-care professional before starting any new supplement program. We are not medical professionals, and any information pertaining to supplements or any other health and wellness modality is for educational purposes only and is not meant to treat, diagnose, or cure any health condition or disease. The interactions between supplements and drugs or between different supplements can be significant, and only a healthcare professional can evaluate your personal health needs and suggest the most beneficial supplements for you.
