CBD is a popular natural remedy, but the medical community still doesn’t fully understand whether it’s safe to use during chemotherapy.

If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, you might be curious about using cannabidiol (CBD) to ease some of the side effects. CBD is often marketed as a natural option for pain relief, anxiety, and inflammation.

But can you safely use it while undergoing chemotherapy, and will it interact with your treatment?

In this article, we explore how CBD works with chemotherapy, whether it can help with your symptoms, and what to keep in mind before using it.

What is cannabidiol (CBD)?

CBD is a compound derived from the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it doesn’t produce a “high,” but many people use it for its potential to relieve pain, anxiety, inflammation, and other symptoms. You can find CBD in various forms, including oils, capsules, edibles, and topical creams.

Learn more about CBD.

Using CBD during chemotherapy comes with some important considerations.

Chemotherapy works by attacking fast-growing cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells, leading to side effects like nausea, fatigue, and neuropathy (nerve pain).

CBD is thought to slow down the processes by which cells take in and release drug molecules. This can potentially lead to higher levels of chemotherapy drugs in your system, increasing the risk of side effects.

In addition, although it hasn’t yet been studied extensively, CBD may potentially reduce the efficacy of certain anticancer drugs.

Researchers believe it can happen due to CBD’s protective properties against chemicals containing metals, such as some chemo drugs, by making your cells synthesize specific detoxifying proteins known as metallothioneins.

While research on CBD and chemotherapy interactions is ongoing, some studies suggest that CBD may affect the efficacy of your treatment. Be sure to ask your oncologist’s opinion before taking CBD with chemotherapy.

Is it safe to use CBD oil to relieve neuropathy caused by chemo?

Neuropathy, or nerve pain, caused by chemotherapy can be very painful. Some people use topical CBD oil to help manage the pain.

Since topicals are absorbed locally and don’t enter the bloodstream in significant amounts, they’re less likely to interact with chemotherapy drugs. However, clinical studies on CBD’s effectiveness for neuropathy are limited.

Always consult your doctor before using topical CBD to relieve neuropathy.

Some research suggests that CBD may help relieve certain cancer symptoms. It can also ease many side effects of chemotherapy, such as:

In addition, it can potentially suppress the growth and spread of cancer cells, but more research is needed to confirm this effect.

It’s important to remember that while CBD might help manage some symptoms, do not use it as a replacement for your cancer treatment. Always speak with your doctor about incorporating CBD into your care.

What kinds of CBD products should you use?

There are a variety of CBD products on the market today, including:

  • Broad-spectrum: includes all terpenes and minor cannabinoids except delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Full-spectrum: includes all terpenes and minor cannabinoids with less than 0.3% THC
  • Isolate: a pure form of CBD with no other compounds

Full- or broad-spectrum CBD tends to provide more healing effects than isolate products thanks to the entourage effect, a theory that all the compounds in CBD work together to produce effects.

Look for products that have been third-party tested and are from a reputable manufacturer. Most importantly, always consult with your doctor before using any CBD product.

Learn more about full-spectrum CBD versus CBD isolate.

CBD is generally considered safe, but it does have side effects that can be concerning, especially during cancer treatment. Common side effects include:

  • Fatigue: High doses of CBD may cause drowsiness, which could worsen the fatigue already caused by chemotherapy.
  • Diarrhea: Some people report digestive issues when using CBD, including diarrhea.
  • Changes in appetite: CBD can increase or decrease your appetite, which can be an issue if you’re trying to maintain weight during treatment.
  • Drug interactions: CBD can affect how your body metabolizes other drugs, potentially making them less effective or more toxic.

CBD is known to interact with a variety of medications and substances, including those commonly used during cancer treatment. Here are some examples:

Earlier studies suggested that CBD may also interact with immunotherapy drugs commonly used for cancer treatment along with chemo.

However, further analysis hasn’t confirmed these findings. More data is needed to verify that taking CBD is safe during immunotherapy.

CBD has potential benefits for managing cancer symptoms and the side effects of chemotherapy, but it also poses risks, particularly when combined with certain medications.

If you’re considering using CBD during chemotherapy, talk with your oncologist first to make sure it’s safe.

CBD can be a helpful supplement, but it should never replace traditional cancer treatments. Always keep your healthcare team informed of any supplements or alternative therapies you’re considering to make sure they fit into your overall treatment plan.