# Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol alleviates chemotherapy-induced weight loss but not colitis > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-weight-loss-chemotherapy-benefits/ > **Published:** 2026-03-26T06:07:48-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T10:38:18-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore how delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol weight loss effects may help alleviate chemotherapy-induced weight loss without impacting colitis symptoms. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #67Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic MucositisThcChemotherapyWeight LossPreclinical Journal Journal of [cannabis research](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-certification-care-children/) Study Type Clinical Study Population Human participants Why This Matters Chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis affects up to 80% of cancer patients, causing significant morbidity and treatment delays. This preclinical study examines whether THC could offer therapeutic benefit for this challenging clinical problem where current interventions remain limited. Clinical Summary This mouse study evaluated oral THC oil (10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg daily) against doxorubicin-induced mucositis and DSS-induced colitis using C57BL6 mice. THC demonstrated protective effects against chemotherapy-induced weight loss but showed no benefit for inflammatory colitis. The study measured standard endpoints including weight changes, intestinal length, histopathology, and gene expression markers. While promising for mucositis-related weight preservation, the lack of anti-inflammatory effect in the colitis model suggests mechanism-specific activity rather than broad gastrointestinal protection. Dr. Caplan’s Take “This adds to emerging preclinical evidence that THC may help preserve weight during chemotherapy, but I’m cautious about extrapolating anti-inflammatory benefits to human IBD. The differential effects between mucositis and colitis models suggest we need more nuanced understanding of cannabinoid mechanisms in different GI conditions.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should view this as early-stage evidence supporting THC’s potential role in managing chemotherapy-related weight loss, not as justification for IBD treatment. Patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced GI symptoms should discuss evidence-based cannabinoid options with their oncology team. More human studies are needed before changing clinical practice. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [𝕏 Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol%20alleviates%20doxorubicin-induced%20weight%20loss%20but%20does...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41530821/)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41530821/)[🦥 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol%20alleviates%20doxorubicin-induced%20weight%20loss%20but%20does...%20--%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A//pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41530821/)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan/)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://substack.com/@doctorapproved)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/category/cannabis-news/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41530821/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41530821/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Can THC help prevent weight loss during chemotherapy?](#Can_THC_help_prevent_weight_loss_during_chemotherapy) - [Is THC effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease symptoms?](#Is_THC_effective_for_treating_inflammatory_bowel_disease_symptoms) - [What doses of THC were tested for gastrointestinal conditions?](#What_doses_of_THC_were_tested_for_gastrointestinal_conditions) - [Does this research support using medical cannabis for chemotherapy side effects?](#Does_this_research_support_using_medical_cannabis_for_chemotherapy_side_effects) - [Are there safety concerns with using THC for gastrointestinal problems?](#Are_there_safety_concerns_with_using_THC_for_gastrointestinal_problems) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ #### Can THC help prevent weight loss during chemotherapy? This preclinical study found that THC oil at 10-20 mg/kg doses alleviated doxorubicin-induced weight loss in mice. However, this is early animal research and human clinical trials are needed to determine safety and efficacy in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. #### Is THC effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease symptoms? This study showed THC did not significantly affect DSS-induced colitis in mice, suggesting limited [anti-inflammatory effects](https://cedclinic.com/cbd-antioxidative-anti-inflammatory-properties-benefits/) in this IBD model. The findings contradict some previous animal studies and indicate THC may not be universally effective for all types of intestinal inflammation. #### What doses of THC were tested for gastrointestinal conditions? Researchers tested daily oral doses of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg THC oil in mice. These are preclinical doses that cannot be directly translated to human dosing without proper clinical trials and safety studies. #### Does this research support using medical cannabis for chemotherapy side effects? The study provides preliminary evidence that THC may help with chemotherapy-induced weight loss but shows mixed results for gastrointestinal inflammation. More human [clinical research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/) is needed before making treatment recommendations for cancer patients. #### Are there safety concerns with using THC for gastrointestinal problems? This animal study did not report significant safety issues, but human safety data is limited. Patients should consult healthcare providers before using THC products, as they may interact with medications and cause psychoactive effects. {“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “ScholarlyArticle”, “headline”: “Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol alleviates doxorubicin-induced weight loss but does not affect dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis.”, “url”: “https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41530821/”, “about”: “journal [cannabis research](https://cedclinic.com/pediatric-cannabis-certification-care-children/) clinical study delta”, “isPartOf”: “Journal of cannabis research”} [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Explore Study](https://cedclinic.com/symptoms-improve-for-cancer-patients-after-cannabis-extract-use-study-finds-leafie/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).