Cancer patients who use cannabis to address their symptoms have less pain, sleep better, and after a few weeks of sustained use, appear to think more clearly. This study is among the first to assess how cannabis bought over the counter at dispensaries affects cancer symptoms or chemotherapy side effects, and sheds light on the wide variety of products cancer patients use now that marijuana is legal in many states. The findings suggest that while some forms and dosages of cannabis for pain relief may impair thinking short-term, the treatment might improve cognition in the long run by reducing pain.
