Scientists claim cannabis ingredient good for patients

Scientists in Canada have claimed cancer patients could regain their appetites using an ingredient found in cannabis.

The disease can often lead to people eating less, with the illness itself or treatments such as chemotherapy causing an adverse affect on hunger levels.

However, researchers carried out a small pilot experiment between 2006 and 2008, in which advanced cancer sufferers who had lost their appetites were separated into two groups, with one set receiving a placebo drug and the other a capsule containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC is the central psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and 2.5mg of the substance was in each pill.

The results showed that 73 per cent of the THC group reported better appetites, while 55 per cent stated it improved the taste of food.

"This is the first randomised controlled trial to show that THC makes food taste better and improves appetites for patients with advanced cancer, as well as helping them to sleep and to relax better," Dr Wendy Wismer, lead study author, said.

Scientists at the University of Illinois recently discovered broccoli has cancer-preventing powers, which can be doubled by teaming it with broccoli sprouts.