Does Cannabis Improve Appetite and Reduce Weight Loss?

PostedMarch 12, 2026

UpdatedMarch 12, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Julia Sutton, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Weight loss and reduced appetite are common issues in dementia, often leading to malnutrition, dehydration, and overall health decline. While cannabis, particularly THC and CBD, has been studied for its potential to stimulate appetite and reduce weight loss, the evidence for its effectiveness in dementia is still limited. Cannabis is not yet recommended for these symptoms in dementia care.

Appetite and Weight Loss in Dementia

Loss of appetite in dementia can result from various factors, including brain function changes, depression, and difficulty recognising hunger. According to NHS guidance on dementia, maintaining nutrition is crucial for people with dementia. Non-drug interventions such as structured meal routines and food preferences are commonly used. When these fail, medications may be considered, though they come with risks.

Can Cannabis Help?

Cannabis compounds, particularly THC, stimulate appetite by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain’s hunger-regulating areas. THC promotes the release of appetite-stimulating hormones like ghrelin, which increases food intake. CBD, while not directly increasing appetite, may support metabolic function and counteract the side effects of medications or illness that suppress appetite.

A 2024 study in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36247984/) found that THC: CBD oils helped improve appetite and promoted weight gain in dementia patients, though the effects were modest. A 2023 review in Pain Medicine (PubMed 37293434) showed that THC/CBD oil helped reduce weight loss and improve nutritional intake in patients with advanced dementia.

What Do the Guidelines Say?

Both NHS and NICE offer cautious guidance on cannabis use for appetite stimulation. The NICE NG144 guideline (NICE NG144) states that cannabis is prescribed only for specific conditions such as epilepsy and spasticity in MS, not for appetite loss in dementia. Similarly, the NHS acknowledges cannabis’s potential in some cases but stresses that its use for appetite loss in dementia is not well-supported by evidence.

Clinical Bottom Line

THC may stimulate appetite and reduce weight loss by activating CB1 receptors in the brain’s hunger centres.

CBD may support metabolism and help manage medication side effects that interfere with eating, though it does not directly increase appetite.

Evidence is preliminary; some studies show modest improvements in appetite and weight, but results vary.

NICE and NHS recommend non-pharmacological approaches for appetite loss in dementia, and cannabis is not currently supported for this purpose.

Educational Context: AlleviMed

AlleviMed provides public education on the regulation and clinical use of cannabis-based medicinal products in the UK. It focuses on licensed conditions like chronic pain and epilepsy and clarifies that cannabis is not recommended for appetite loss in dementia.

Takeaway

While THC: CBD formulations show some promise in improving appetite and reducing weight loss in dementia, the evidence is still inconclusive. NHS and NICE guidelines recommend non-drug interventions for appetite loss and advise that cannabis should only be considered under specialist care or within clinical trials.

Julia Sutton, MSc

Author

Julia Sutton is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and experience providing psychological assessment and therapy to adolescents and adults. Skilled in CBT, client-centered therapy, and evidence-based interventions, she has worked with conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and conversion disorder. She also has experience in child psychology, conducting psycho-educational evaluations and developing tailored treatment plans to improve learning and well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Clarissa Morton, PharmD

Reviewer

Dr. Clarissa Morton is a licensed pharmacist with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and experience across hospital, community, and industrial pharmacy. She has worked in emergency, outpatient, and inpatient pharmacy settings, providing patient counseling, dispensing medications, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Alongside her pharmacy expertise, she has worked as a Support Plan & Risk Assessment (SPRA) officer and in medical coding, applying knowledge of medical terminology, EMIS, and SystmOne software to deliver accurate, compliant healthcare documentation. Her skills span medication safety, regulatory standards, healthcare data management, and statistical reporting.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewers's privacy.