Cannabis Oil Showed Promise for Appetite in Systemic Sclerosis Patients | Research

The takeaway

Cannabis oil trended toward improving appetite and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients with wasting, though most results did not reach statistical significance.

Patients with autoimmune wasting conditions, medical cannabis researchers, rheumatologists interested in complementary therapies.

Hunger scores significantly increased (p < 0.001)

What the researchers found

In a randomized placebo-controlled trial of 27 systemic sclerosis patients with anorexia or malnutrition, cannabis oil (two drops sublingual twice daily) showed trends toward greater improvements in appetite, body weight, calorie intake, and quality of life compared to placebo. Hunger VAS scores increased significantly in the treatment group (p < 0.001) but not in placebo.

Why it matters

Systemic sclerosis is a rare autoimmune condition that causes wasting and appetite loss, with few effective treatments. This is one of the first RCTs testing cannabis oil specifically in this population, and the significant improvement in hunger scores suggests cannabinoids may help with appetite in autoimmune wasting disorders beyond the better-studied cancer and HIV contexts.

The numbers in context

27 patients enrolled (13 per group completed). 66.7% female. 77.9% had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Hunger VAS significantly increased in cannabis group (p < 0.001). One patient withdrew due to severe hyponatremia.

How the study worked

Randomized placebo-controlled trial with 27 SSc patients (13 per group completing the study). Participants received either cannabis oil or placebo sublingually twice daily. Endpoints included appetite VAS, body weight, daily calorie intake, inflammatory markers, and quality of life via EQ-5D. Registered as NCT05416697.

What this study cannot tell us

Very small sample size (N=27) limited statistical power. Most endpoints showed trends but did not reach significance. Single-center study. One serious adverse event (hyponatremia) occurred in the treatment group.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary: randomized controlled design but very small sample (N=27) and most outcomes did not reach statistical significance.

When this study was published

2025 study

The bigger picture

Cannabis has established appetite-stimulating properties in cancer and HIV, but this trial extends the research into autoimmune wasting conditions. The small sample size limited statistical power, but the consistent trend across multiple endpoints suggests larger studies could confirm a meaningful benefit.

Questions still open

Would a larger trial confirm the appetite and weight trends? What is the optimal dosing for systemic sclerosis patients? Could cannabis oil reduce the inflammatory burden in autoimmune conditions?

Common questions

Did cannabis oil help systemic sclerosis patients gain weight?

There was a trend toward weight gain in the cannabis group compared to placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant in this small 27-patient trial.

Were there side effects from the cannabis oil?

One patient developed severe hyponatremia (low sodium) and was withdrawn. Otherwise, the treatment was generally well tolerated.

Read the original research

Efficacy of cannabis oil on appetite and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 82

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Pisprasert, Veeradej; Sripanichkulchai, Bungon; Khannongpho, Teerawat; Jumnainsong, Amonrat; Mahakkanukrauh, Ajanee; Suwannaroj, Siraphop; Pongkulkiat, Patnarin; Onchan, Tippawan; Kanokmedhakul, Somdej; So-Ngern, Apichart; Foocharoen, Chingching. (2025). Efficacy of cannabis oil on appetite and quality of life in systemic sclerosis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.. Journal of cannabis research, 7(1), 82. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-025-00342-3