Marijuana is known as one of the earliest natural medicines with roots originating thousands of years. The cannabis plant is also known as one of the most widely studied plants when it comes to medicinal properties.
It is said that the natural components of cannabis THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are responsible for weed’s therapeutic effects.
But to this day, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not accepted marijuana as cancer treatment or as a treatment for other health conditions.
1. What Makes Marijuana Effective Against Cancer
Marijuana’s chemical components are called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids have the ability to activate specific receptors in the body to stimulate pharmacologic or therapeutic effects. Areas with the most prominent receptors are in the central nervous system as well as in the immune system.
The two prominent cannabinoids are THC and CBD; the two have varying effects. THC is the component of cannabis that can make you feel high. THC can help ease pain, inflammation, and nausea. Meanwhile, CBD can also help deal with anxiety plus alleviate pain and inflammation without making you high.
2. Studies That Show Cannabis Effects Against Cancer
Over many years several studies have been made regarding the ability of medical marijuana to deal with cancer cells, cancer symptoms, and related side effects of cancer treatments.
- Cannabis Against Nausea And Vomiting
There are a few studies that found out that smoking or vaping marijuana can ease the side effects of cancer treatment. Dronabinol and nabilone, two human-made cannabinoids, were approved by the FDA to treat symptoms like nausea and vomiting when other medications won’t work. The approval came after years of study and research. - Cannabis To Deal With Pain
Significant studies regarding the use of medical cannabis against pain have been made through the years. Cannabis can bind with the cannabinoid receptors found in the brain and other areas of the body. Cannabis can reduce inflammation and may also ease different kinds of pain. - Cannabis To Stop Nerve Pain
Neuropathy is a condition where there is numbness, weakness, and pain due to nerve damage. Nerve pain can happen because of chemotherapy and may also be a symptom of some forms of cancer treatments. Some studies found out that consuming marijuana by smoking or vaping can help ease this kind of pain. - Cannabis To Improve Appetite And Deal With Weight Loss
FDA has approved dronabinol to enhance appetite for people with conditions like AIDS. However, it is not meant to help those with cancer. Some studies show that marijuana can improve the appetite of patients with cancer.
3. Dealing With Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea And Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting happen when sensory areas in the body located in the digestive tract and the brain are stimulated. It is also possible that a patient can experience nausea without any vomiting or to vomit with no nausea.
Vomiting is a symptom that involves complicated co-ordination of the respiratory muscle, digestive system, and posture. There is little actually little known about the mechanism that starts nausea, but some experts say that this is coming from the brain. Research has aimed at the relief of side effects of chemotherapy in the most natural way.
Two forms of THC have been tested for their therapeutic ability to stop vomiting, and these compounds have shown to be effective anti-emetics.
4. Cannabis Effects On Tumors
Aside from cannabis’ therapeutic effects on the many side effects of chemotherapy, some researches consider marijuana for its anti-tumor effects. One study in mice revealed that cannabinoids could have a protective effect from the growth of certain kinds of tumors. In this study, mice and rats were given different doses of THC, and a decreased incidence of benign tumors was noted.
5. What To Expect If You Want To Use Medical Marijuana
If you want to use medical marijuana against cancer or preventing cancer, a wide variety of options are open for you. You can smoke dried leaves or buds, you can eat marijuana edibles like brownies or cookies, or you can vape oils or mix oil in food or hot drinks. There are also creams made from cannabis that you can apply over the skin or sprayed under the tongue or in your mouth.
Some strains of marijuana are known to deal with cancer symptoms better and reduce treatment side effects. Also, medical marijuana has some side effects, including dizziness, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, and fainting.
If you use cannabis strains with high THC, then you will experience a high, which will make you feel confused, anxious, and paranoid. These side effects will usually be relieved without the need for any medical intervention.
6. Understand The Law Regarding Marijuana Use In Your Area
Before you start using medical marijuana, you should first understand local laws regarding cannabis use. For instance, marijuana is illegal in the United States on a federal level, but each state has laws regarding medical marijuana. Laws change regularly, so be sure to understand the law where you are located.
7. Where To Get Help For Marijuana Use Against Cancer
The best resource for the use of medical marijuana for cancer is your doctor. Talk to your doctor or a marijuana-friendly doctor regarding the right kind of strain to use and if medical marijuana is the best for you. Mention all the medications and other supplements that you are currently taking because these can help tell what kind of cannabis is the right one for your condition. Visit Weekend Gardener to know more about the different medical marijuana strains.
