THC Reduces Chemotherapy Weight Loss in Mice But Doesn't Help Colitis | Research

The takeaway

THC oil significantly reduced weight loss from chemotherapy in mice and increased small intestine length, but had no effect on colitis — suggesting THC may help with chemo side effects through appetite stimulation rather than anti-inflammatory action.

Oncologists, cancer patients experiencing weight loss, researchers studying cannabinoid supportive care, and gastroenterologists.

What the researchers found

THC (10-20 mg/kg daily) significantly reduced doxorubicin-induced weight loss and increased small intestine length in mice, but showed no effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression or DSS-induced colitis, suggesting the benefit was likely from appetite stimulation rather than anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Why it matters

Chemotherapy-induced weight loss worsens patient outcomes, and THC's ability to reduce this in an animal model supports ongoing interest in cannabinoids as supportive care during cancer treatment.

The numbers in context

THC doses: 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg daily; significant weight loss reduction in doxorubicin model; increased small intestine length; no cytokine gene expression changes; no effect on DSS colitis model

How the study worked

Preclinical study in C57BL6 mice receiving daily oral THC oil (10 or 20 mg/kg) with either doxorubicin-induced gastrointestinal mucositis or DSS-induced colitis, evaluating weight, intestinal length, histopathology, and gene expression.

What this study cannot tell us

Mouse model may not translate to humans; oral gavage differs from typical human consumption; limited dose range; acute models don't reflect chronic treatment; no direct appetite measurement; specific to doxorubicin and DSS models.

How to read the evidence

Well-controlled preclinical study with clear positive and null results, but mouse models have limited clinical translatability.

When this study was published

Published 2026; adds to preclinical literature on THC and chemotherapy side effects.

The bigger picture

This study clarifies that THC's benefit for chemotherapy patients may be limited to appetite and weight maintenance rather than direct anti-inflammatory protection of the gut.

Questions still open

Would THC combined with anti-inflammatory cannabinoids like CBD be more effective? At what point during chemotherapy should THC be initiated? Does the weight-preservation effect improve chemotherapy tolerance?

Common questions

Can THC help with chemotherapy side effects?

In mice, THC significantly reduced weight loss from chemotherapy, likely by stimulating appetite. However, it didn't reduce gut inflammation, suggesting its benefits may be limited to weight maintenance rather than tissue protection.

Does THC help with inflammatory bowel disease?

This study found no effect of THC on colitis in mice, despite previous animal studies suggesting anti-inflammatory potential — highlighting the need for more research before recommending THC for IBD.

Read the original research

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol alleviates doxorubicin-induced weight loss but does not affect dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis.

Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 23

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Johansen, Malene Wiborg; Andersen, Maria C E; Nissen, Thomas; Nexoe, Anders B; Ünsal, Seyda; Madsen, Gunvor I; Möller, Sören; Kjeldsen, Jens; Sorensen, Grith Lykke; Holmskov, Uffe; Husby, Steffen; Rathe, Mathias. (2026). Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol alleviates doxorubicin-induced weight loss but does not affect dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis.. Journal of cannabis research, 8(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-026-00386-z