Medical Cannabis Research Update: Cancer, Wound Healing, ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Terpenes

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Can cannabis help cancer patients live longer, speed wound healing, or ease Alzheimer’s symptoms? Dr. Dustin Sulak explores new research surrounding these questions in the September 2025 webinar. Dr. Sulak, an osteopathic general practitioner, founder of Healer, a cannabis education and product resource, presented the latest installment of this monthly webinar series intended to discuss recent research on medical cannabis for various conditions.

Medical Cannabis in Palliative Cancer Care

The first study discussed, “Survival Rates, Quality of Life and Side Effects of Medical Cannabis in Patients with Palliative Cancer in Thailand,” was published in the Journal of Current Science and Technology in March 2025. This retrospective cohort observational study involved 98 patients from six hospitals split into two groups: those who used cannabis and those who used morphine during palliative care. Based on the records covering three years, the median survival rate in the cannabis group (CG) was slightly longer compared with the morphine group, and had a lower admission rate, fewer hospital days, and better quality of life. Dr. Sulak noted the limitations from using data on a variety of doses: “This is not high-quality data, but it's extremely interesting. Does low dose or very low dose cannabis affect more than just symptoms in patients with cancer?”

THC and Wound Healing Research

The next study, “A chronic low dose of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (3 mg / kg / 21 d) reorganizes the disturbed wound healing process and accelerates wound closure in old female mice,” was published in Experimental Gerontology in July 2025. This animal study examined the effect of a pretreatment of daily injections of a low dose of THC in 30 mice. Wounds were administered and the closure rate was analyzed. The THC administration was demonstrated to improve healing rate between Day 1 and Day 7, and confirmed anti-inflammatory activity of THC in vivo, the researchers concluded. “In summary, three weeks of pretreatment with moderate dose THC created a wound healing environment in old mice that was very similar to that in younger mice,” Dr. Sulak explained. “The endocannabinoid system is present everywhere. We still have a lot to learn about how to optimally dose the THC to help these systems come back into balance and function like they do in young animals.”

Cannabinoids for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Treatment

The third study, another animal study, “Preclinical evaluation of cannabidiolic acid as a neuroprotective agent in TDP-43 transgenic mice, an experimental model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy in June 2025. The researchers found that, out of five cannabinoids tested, a dose of CBDA at 10 mg/kg/day was demonstrated to be optimal in improving motor performance and preserving motor neurons in transgenic male mice. CBDA outperformed riluzole, an anti-excitotoxic agent approved in treating neurodegenerative disease, in ALS models. “While THC may be the best at addressing some of the symptoms in ALS, CBDA may be important for addressing underlying disease process in a way that THC cannot,” Dr. Sulak explained. “The THC didn't work in this model, and it's possible that riluzole would counteract some of the CBDA effects.” He also noted that the optimal dose of CDBA is the same as in a model used for Dravet syndrome, a severe seizure disorder.

Nabiximols for Alzheimer’s Agitation

The fourth study, “Sativex (nabiximols) for the treatment of Agitation & Aggression in Alzheimer’s dementia in UK nursing homes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled feasibility trial,” was published in Age and Ageing in June 2025. Twenty nine participants with severe agitation were given daily nabiximols sprays (2.7 mg THC/25 mg CBD), or placebo sprays, titrated up for four weeks with an observation period. No safety concerns were observed and the trial was determined to be feasible. “This was unimpressive improvements,” Dr. Sulak explained. “Most of the other dementia and cannabis studies have seen more impressive results when it comes to reducing the agitation. This isn't bad, it’s just not better than placebo. It calls to question some of the methodologies used in the study. What I think this study did, well, though, is show the safety and the feasibility of doing more clinical trial work in dementia.”

Alpha-Pinene and THC Effects on Memory

The final study, “The Individual and Interactive Effects of Alpha-Pinene and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Healthy Adults,” was published in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids in June 2025. This study tested the ability of alpha-pinene to lessen memory impairment caused by inhaling delta-9-THC. Nineteen participants inhaled the terpene alone, THC alone, the terpene and THC in combination, and a placebo in a randomized order. Ultimately, the terpene did not lessen cognitive impairment from the THC inhalation. “The study had limitations,” Dr. Sulak explained. “It was testing just two compounds. You're not going to get that in herbal cannabis. You're going to get pinene dominant, with THC dominant, and then dozens or hundreds of other compounds that could change the results. So this is reductionistic. It just used a vaporizer.”