By Jay Jay O’Brien C.H. ACCE Certified Cannabis Health Coach & Educator

Extending the Journey: What if You Could Have One More Day?

When my mom passed in 2007, just seven days after receiving a cancer diagnosis that had promised her a year to live, she was gone long before her final breath.

The heavy doses of morphine—the standard in end-of-life care—(1) given to “keep her comfortable” kept her deeply sedated. 16 hours after she was admitted to hospital with shortness of breath, vomiting, and uncontrollable pain, she was completely unconscious, unresponsive, and circling the drain.

I spent the next 36 hours by her side, observing her chest rise and fall, watching and wondering which shallow breath would be her last. When it finally came, I was left not only with grief but also with questions—questions about care, comfort, and whether there was another way.

U-Turn: A New Direction in Care and Connection

Fast forward to 2023. My father-in-law is diagnosed with Lymphoma and stomach cancer. This time, I was aware of a different approach, and he was open to incorporating 450mg THC-rich Cannabis suppositories and oral dosing of a multi-cannabinoid olive oil infusion containing CBDA, CBD, CBGA, CBG, and THCA alongside his chemotherapy.
Initially, we used these therapies in the hope of combating the cancer. Later, after the chemotherapy almost killed him, he was forced to stop it, and Cannabis then became a tool to ease the burden of the disease while offering comfort, pain relief, and continued hope. The results were remarkable.

Driving Past The Prognosis

His oncologist estimated he had 6 to 8 months to live, yet he enjoyed 9 coherent and conscious months. He remained lucid, calm, and pain-free right up until his final moments.

His doctors were astonished that he never once complained of pain, even as the cancer spread through many of his vital organs. The quality of the time we shared made it even more extraordinary. We talked, laughed, and sang together—activities he cherished.

Looking back, I can’t help but think about those last 36 hours watching my mom fade away in a medicated haze. What I wouldn’t give to have the gift of that time back—time where we could have talked and connected, where her presence could have stayed with me until her very last breath.
What I wouldn’t give to have known then what I know now, still, I’m grateful now to share what I’ve learned so that others might find more meaningful moments with their loved ones.

The Challenges at End-of-Life: Navigating the Physical and Emotional Roadblocks

Besides the median stress and turmoil that arises during an end-of-life transition, patients and their families often face a myriad of physical and emotional difficulties when approaching this phase of life. (2)

Patients may endure:

Pain and Discomfort: Whether from the progression of the disease or the side effects of the treatments offered, pain and discomfort are persistent challenges among cancer patients.

Fatigue and Weakness: The demands of disease can be physically and emotionally draining, impacting quality of life.

Loss of Appetite and Weight: The disease and its treatments can diminish appetite leading to unintended weight loss, muscle loss, and weakness.

Breathing Difficulties: Breathlessness can lead to discomfort, anxiety, and a reduced ability to engage in even simple activities, significantly impacting overall well-being.

Nausea and Vomiting: Commonly triggered by illness or treatments like chemotherapy, these distressing symptoms can lead to dehydration and cachexia, a common ‘wasting’ syndrome in advanced illness, further weakening the patient.

All of these burdens can intensify the mental health challenges associated with the disease, leading to anxiety, depression, overwhelm, and grief—emotions that hinder ease and overall well-being.

Family members and caregivers often face their own mental health challenges at this time as well, another area where Cannabis may be supportive, but for now, we’ll focus on the patient.

The Role of Cannabis in End-of-Life Care

In my dream world, Cannabis emerges as a promising treatment option before becoming the standard in end-of-life care. Still, as it stands, Cannabis is typically only recognized by the medical community as a potential ‘alternative’ treatment for CINV (Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea & Vomiting) (3).

On mine and my clients journeys I have seen Cannabis deliver much more than just this, and the evidence is more than merely anecdotal. 

A recent study published in PubMed Central highlights the potential benefits of Cannabis for cancer patients, particularly in alleviating pain, sleep disturbances, and trauma. The study explores how Cannabis can enhance the quality of life for those facing terminal illness-and its side-effects, supporting the notion that medical Cannabis may provide significant relief during this challenging phase (4).

Here’s What I’ve Witnessed- With A Little Science To Back Me Up.

Pain Relief: Cannabis, particularly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) have both been shown to have analgesic or pain-relieving effects. Many opioids fail to make an impact on cancer-related pain. In fact, 1 in 3 patients don’t feel much of any difference at all (5). 

I was one of them. I maxed out on daily doses of over-the-counter pain relievers and opioids trying to relieve the deep, debilitating pain I experienced from bone metastasis. They minutely helped for about a week before they stopped working altogether.

Utilizing Cannabis ushered in the only relief I found and safely eliminated my need for NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and opioids, ditching their associated side effects, such as sedation, muscle weakness, and constipation along the way.

Roundabout: Rethinking Pain Relief and the Role of Cannabis

Unlike traditional pain medications, Cannabis molecules interact with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), our body’s complex cellular receptor network responsible for regulating pain, mood, inflammation, and the vital bodily functions that maintain our homeostasis, which helps us maintain a healthy equilibrium.

The control arm of our physiological processing networks, the ECS maintains our alignment internally, and through external supplementation of phytocannabinoids, or plant derived Cannabinoids.

THC binds to Cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2 in the brain and body to modulate a host of inhibitory and influencing pathways. CBD indirectly interacts with the ECS and other receptor systems like TRPV (transient receptor potential vanilloid) and PPAR (peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor) to reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Together, THC and CBD can work synergistically to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation, with CBD also helping balance THC's intoxicating effects (6).

Stopping To Smell The Roses: Finding Energy, Joy, and Emotional Relief

Mood & Energy Regulation: THC-rich varietals labeled 'Sativas' by local medical or recreational dispensaries are particularly effective in promoting energy and combating fatigue. Their terpene profiles, rich in uplifting compounds like limonene and pinene, help improve mood, enrich mental clarity, and enhance energy (7). 

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in all plants, including Cannabis, that contribute to the plant's scent and flavor. They also play a role in determining the effects of the chemovar, or ‘strain’ you’re incorporating.

You may hear some educators say terpenes “drive the bus” to inform others that it’s the terpenes that indicate how Cannabis will make someone feel, not whether the plant is an ‘Indica’ or ‘Sativa’.

Dangerous Detours

Averting Cachexia: If you’ve ever smoked a joint and raided your fridge, you’ve experienced the “munchies” firsthand— a word for Cannabis' well-known ability to stimulate appetite. Beyond casual use, this effect holds importance in medical contexts, particularly for those battling cancer.

Cachexia, often referred to as "wasting syndrome," is a condition commonly associated with cancer. Characterized by a drastic loss of appetite, unintentional and significant weight loss, muscle atrophy, overwhelming fatigue, and a marked decline in physical strength, this debilitating syndrome affects more than half of cancer patients, drastically diminishing both survival rates and overall quality of life.

The appetite-stimulating and anti-nausea and vomiting properties of Cannabis through its interaction with the ECS may offer a vital lifeline for those struggling with cachexia. By encouraging food intake, Cannabis can help patients maintain their weight, preserve muscle mass, and combat the devastating physical decline caused by this condition (8).

Emotional & Respiratory Comfort: The anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory properties of Cannabis help open airways, allowing for deeper and more relaxed breathing. If you’re like me and have experienced the distress of a panic attack or live with a condition such as asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), you’ll understand the trauma associated with breathlessness.

For cancer patients, particularly those with lung metastases, who rely on oxygen or are nearing the end of life, these anxieties can intensify distress, compounding the physical and emotional burdens of their illness. Effectively managing stress and anxiety is crucial to enhancing quality of life during end-of-life care.

Having witnessed firsthand the profound toll cancer takes, knowing the right language empowers patients and caregivers alike to navigate the journey with greater ease, cultivating connection, reducing worry, and enhancing clarity and awareness. This lucidity allows patients to stay present and engaged.

Cannabis As A Tool For Connection

Cannabis facilitates connection in a variety of meaningful ways (9).

The Feelgood Highway

When Cannabis interacts with CB1 receptors in the brain, it affects the release of important neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine (10).

Serotonin helps maintain a balanced mood, while dopamine revs up our reward systems, encouraging feelings of pleasure and emotional connection.

The ECS plays a key role in regulating these neurotransmitters by hitting the brakes on the cells that slow them down. The ECS is at the heart of maintaining balance, or homeostasis, keeping our brain’s engine running smoothly, helping us experience more joy and connection (11).

In the distance, stress melts away, relaxation takes over, and vulnerability becomes a safe passage.
Whether between loved ones or within ourselves, Cannabis makes it easier to open up and share our true feelings.

Cruising For Clarity

Stephen Gray's book, Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer's Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally, delves into the profound relationship between Cannabis and spiritual practice. 

Through its interaction with the ECS:

• It can quiet the mind, making it easier to meditate or focus.
• It may deepen feelings of connection and compassion and,
• It has the potential to release emotional and mental blocks, encouraging introspection and healing.

Cannabis can serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual world and has long since proven itself to be a formidable ally in the pursuit of inner peace, self-discovery, and connection (12). 

The ECS Roadmap To Safety

Dr. Vincenzo Di Marzo, Research Director at the Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council in Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy, described the mechanisms of action within the ECS, explaining that this intricate system supports us by helping us:

Protect - Eat - Relax - Forget - Sleep

I use the acronym PERFS to remember. It’s not PERFECT, but it’s pretty close!

The ECS protects us by limiting stress responses in the body. Regulating functions like body temperature, immune responses, and even emotional reactions helps maintain balance. The neuroprotective and immune-modulating effects of cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, further enhance this protection.

When it comes to eating, Cannabis can stimulate appetite, activating the ECS to increase the release of hunger-stimulating hormones, encouraging a healthy appetite, and supporting the body's nutritional needs.

Turning down the volume on anxiety or stress allows the mind to rest and move on from past events. This is how the plant helps us to forget overwhelming thoughts or traumatic memories, leading to calming and relaxing effects that ease tension and promote mental clarity.

Finally, Cannabis can promote better sleep by regulating the ECS to support the body’s natural circadian rhythms helping calm the mind and body, leading to more restful and uninterrupted sleep.

Paving The Way 

Palliative care focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families by offering compassionate, integrative support. Cannabis plays a pivotal role in this approach, acting as a driving force to promote peace, comfort, and overall well-being for all involved.

Avoiding Roadblocks

As the evidence accumulates regarding the therapeutic benefits of Cannabis, discover more research, expert insights, and real-world applications here in this edition of the Effective Cannabis Newsletter. The more you read, the more it becomes clear that Cannabis’ potential benefit during the many legs of a cancer journey should not be overlooked.

As a new optional “standard of care,” Cannabis offers a more benign and benevolent option that fuels connection through the transformative and transitional experience cancer brings.

The Journey Home: Embracing Peace, Comfort, and Connection

The ability to find connection, clarity, and comfort is invaluable in the journey through life's most challenging moments.

Cannabis, with its unique therapeutic properties, serves as a powerful tool to support patients and their families in staying present, engaged, and at ease during life’s most pivotal moments. Introducing opportunities for shared laughter, heartfelt conversations, and the creation of meaningful memories, this ‘alternative’ approach may leave a lasting impact that transcends merely the physical.

Looking back, we may not be able to reclaim the time lost to outdated methods of care, but we can advocate for a future where no family has to trade connection for comfort.

If you or a loved one are navigating a challenging chapter and seeking compassionate, informed support, I’m here to help. Let’s explore how Cannabis can empower your journey and create space for connection, clarity, and comfort.

Reach out today for guidance, education, and resources to help you advocate for a brighter, more connected future. Together, we can redefine the standard so those we love can know how much we care. 

 

References:

1. Paice, Judith A., et al. “Use of opioids for adults with pain from cancer or cancer treatment: ASCO guideline.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 41, no. 4, 1 Feb. 2023, pp. 914–930, https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.22.02198.

2. Ijaopo, Ezekiel Oluwasayo et al. “A Review of Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Imminent End-of-Life in Individuals With Advanced Illness.” Gerontology & geriatric medicine vol. 9 23337214231183243. 26 Jun. 2023, doi:10.1177/23337214231183243

3. Bathula, Pavana P, and M Bruce Maciver. “Cannabinoids in Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Cancer-Associated Pain, and Tumor Growth.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 25,1 74. 20 Dec. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms25010074

4. Sexton, Michelle et al. “The Management of Cancer Symptoms and Treatment-Induced Side Effects With Cannabis or Cannabinoids.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs vol. 2021,58 (2021): 86-98. doi:10.1093/jncimonographs/lgab011

5. “Medicinal Cannabis Can Safely Relieve Cancer Pain and Curb Total Meds Use.” BMJ, www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/medicinal-cannabis-can-safely-relieve-cancer-pain-and-curb-total-meds-and-opioid-use/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

6. Leinen, Zach J et al. “Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis: A Comprehensive Review of Current and Future Applications.” Biomedicines vol. 11,10 2630. 25 Sep. 2023, doi:10.3390/biomedicines11102630

7. Eddin, Lujain Bader et al. “Neuroprotective Potential of Limonene and Limonene Containing Natural Products.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 26,15 4535. 27 Jul. 2021, doi:10.3390/molecules26154535

8. Author links open overlay panelEmily Seymour-Jackson a, et al. “Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Cancer Anorexia and Cachexia: Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going?” Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, Elsevier, 7 Aug. 2023, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2347562523001105.

9. Maldonado, R., Cabañero, D., & Martín-García, E. (2020). The endocannabinoid system in modulating fear, anxiety, and stress
. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(3), 229–239. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.3/rmaldonado

10. Brunt, Tibor M, and Matthijs G Bossong. “The neuropharmacology of cannabinoid receptor ligands in central signaling pathways.” The European journal of neuroscience vol. 55,4 (2022): 909-921. doi:10.1111/ejn.14982

11. Peters, Kate Z et al. “Modulating the Neuromodulators: Dopamine, Serotonin, and the Endocannabinoid System.” Trends in neurosciences vol. 44,6 (2021): 464-477. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2021.02.001

12. de Melo Reis, Ricardo Augusto et al. “Quality of Life and a Surveillant Endocannabinoid System.” Frontiers in neuroscience vol. 15 747229. 28 Oct. 2021, doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.747229

13. Maldonado, R., Cabañero, D., & Martín-García, E. (2020). The endocannabinoid system in modulating fear, anxiety, and stress
. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 22(3), 229–239. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.3/rmaldonado

• Credit to Tamara Wilton for the “PERFS” acronym

About Jay Jay O’Brien:

Jay Jay is a certified Cannabis coach and educator at EduCanNation. The founder and creator of naturalisticallynow and the Canecdotal Collective, where she educates and assists people with cancer, implementing Cannabis into their protocols. As a stage 4 lung cancer survivor and caregiver to her type 1 diabetic son, Jay Jay has learned that you truly do "get what you give," and with Cannabis, she believes we have the opportunity to truly heal rather than just masking our symptoms. Through her own experience of healing, she has now made it her mission to share the capabilities of Cannabis with all who will listen.

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If you need help with any terminology in this article, you may find some answers in our glossary

Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.