The Close Reciprocal Relationship Between Diet And Thc-Based Therapy: A Comprehensive Narrative Review Of Literature

The increasing use of THC-based therapy in various fields of medicine, requires dedicated attention to maximizing efficacy and minimizing possible side effects in frail patients’ population. Especially with regard to oral and/or sublingual THC administration, the optimal dosage is extremely variable from patient to patient and influenced by many factors including nutrition. In this perspective, this article explores the reciprocal interaction between diet and cannabinoid and focuses on the usefulness of certain type of foods as a tool to improve oral/sublingual THC absorption and bioavailability as well as their potential effectiveness in reducing acute side effects of treatment. In this narrative review we also explore the possible changes induced in the diet by the chronic use of THC, in order to prevent its potential negative impact on the patient’s nutritional status and therapeutic goals, especially in the setting of oncological patients. Keywords: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), chronic pain, lipidic foods, cyclodextrins, intestinal absorption, bioavailability, hypercaloric fat food craving, diet imbalance.