Cannabis compounds such as CBD (cannabidiol) are quickly becoming popular for their potential to relieve pain and nausea associated with cancer treatment. CBD can also reduce anxiety and depression that usually come from a cancer diagnosis.
Nausea is a severe symptom associated with chemotherapy. Furthermore, many anti-nausea drugs result in unpleasant side effects such as extreme drowsiness, constipation, brain fog, and more.
Additionally, CBD may also regulate the cellular activities involved in cancer growth and may stop the growth of tumors. CBD is also easily accessible to everyone who needs it for cancer and other symptoms.
Many cancer sufferers use cannabis or medications containing cannabinoids. The primary goal is to gain relief from the symptoms of cancer chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and pain. Some patients even administer CBD to fight directly against cancer tumors.
Cannabis and cancer
The ECS is essential in different aspects of cancer and its treatment, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and pain. The ECS also regulates immune reactions as cancers manipulate and the body tries to fight them.
The ECS is involved in homeostasis or regulating the body’s systems, which means it influences how we experience pain, hunger, and nausea. There’s a need for more research to fully understand the mechanisms, but research shows that endocannabinoid tone regulates nausea and vomiting. For instance, the non-functioning of cannabinoid receptors causes nausea and vomiting in humans and animals. Likewise, individuals with motion sickness usually have lower ECS function than those who don’t.
Does marijuana have anti-cancer properties?
This question dates to 50 years ago when scientists were looking at how cannabis could help cancer. Cannabis can help prevent tumor growth. Researchers have observed that cannabis compounds have slowed or stopped cancer growth in the lab. While this observation was done on rats, the impact this might have on humans is still unknown.
A 2020 meta-analysis notes that cannabis use may be liked with lower rates of different types of cancer. But there is still a need for more research to conclude this statement.
Marijuana and Cancer research
Research and anecdotal evidence note that individuals find marijuana as a beneficial treatment for nausea and vomiting that comes from chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
Some research shows that marijuana can be a helpful treatment for pain caused by nerve damage, which is a common symptom of cancer treatments. Since chemotherapy prompts nausea, people usually find difficulties eating and cannabis may increase their appetite as well.
More research on cannabis and cancer examines the potential antioxidant properties of cannabinoids and how they could help with both cancer symptoms and cancer itself. This is where CBD, the primary component of marijuana may be particularly helpful. CBD can reduce pain, inflammation, and anxiety, without offering intoxicating effects.
Bottom line
Cannabis is a natural and nonintoxicating natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for treating pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients.
While cannabis may be effective in treating symptoms of cancer, evidence suggests that it might slow the progression of tumor growth.
The wide legalization of hemp-derived CBD products has paved the way for in-depth studies into the health effects of cannabis.