CBD and cancer are two subjects that are rarely mentioned in the same sentence.
But recently there has been some real progress in the field of cannabis and cancer research – largely thanks to CBD, or cannabidiol, a compound found in the cannabis plant that has some pretty remarkable effects on different types of cancer cells.
But how does it work?
In this article, we look at the main compounds involved in CBD and cancer treatments and what they actually do, as well as some of the clinical trials carried out on humans so far.
What is CBD oil?
Cannabidiol (or CBD) is a natural substance in the cannabis plant. It is one of over 80 different chemicals that can be found in cannabis.
Unlike THC, CBD will not cause psychoactive effects like the high associated with marijuana. And unlike its precursor, cannabigerol (CBG), it has no known adverse side effects.
The two most common types of cancer are breast cancer and lung cancer. Some clinical trials have shown that CBD may help inhibit these cancers by acting on receptors outside of the endocannabinoid system.
For example, through mechanisms involving RAGE-induced tumor cell death and inhibition of MMPs production. These studies highlight the therapeutic potential of CBD as an anticancer agent in preclinical models.
A growing body of evidence suggests that cannabinoid therapies, including those using CBD and other nonpsychoactive components of cannabis, might make chemotherapy more effective or could possibly replace chemotherapy altogether to treat many forms of cancer.
What are the benefits of cannabis oil against cancer?
Cannabis oil has been used as an alternative form of treatment for cancer. Cannabis oil contains cannabinoids, which are a compound that interacts with the receptors in your body.
Once the interaction is made, it can cause changes in appetite, sleep, mood, and other biologic functions. Cannabinoids may affect things like tumor growth or aggressiveness by reducing inflammation or controlling cell growth.
Researchers also believe cannabinoids might be able to inhibit tumor growth through anti-angiogenesis effects and apoptosis (cell death).
The one downside is these types of studies have not been conducted on humans yet. One study did show that when treated with cannabis, mice experienced less aggressive tumors than mice who were not treated.
A clinical trial has begun using cannabis oils for people with terminal cancers to see if they will live longer than those who do not receive treatment at all.
It was found that there was no significant difference between the two groups, but there could be many different factors. It would take more time before we know if this type of treatment actually helps with any health issue.
For now, we don’t know enough about how cannabis oil works against cancer because more research needs to be done before anything conclusive can be said.
How to take CBD in cancer treatment
The traditional method of ingesting CBD oil involves the use of an oil tincture or a capsule with a dropper. Some people use CBD topically by applying it directly to the skin; others choose to add CBD as part of their food or drink.
When using a tincture, simply place the number of drops desired under your tongue, hold for 30 seconds, then swallow. The capsules can be swallowed whole without having to empty them from the capsule itself.
Capsules are available in strengths ranging from 10mg to 1,000mg. The most common way of taking CBD is through oral ingestion by placing a few drops on the tongue and swallowing, which results in faster delivery into the bloodstream than eating or drinking it.
There are also sublingual tinctures that absorb into the blood more quickly when applied under the tongue because they bypass digestion.
Topical application is another popular form of administering CBD, especially when dealing with chronic pain. There’s evidence that this type of application can work as well as morphine at relieving severe pain.
CBD has been found to have antioxidant effects, protecting cells against damage caused by free radicals. It’s possible that these antioxidative properties could help prevent cancer cells from growing, but research is still being done on this topic.
One study found that cannabis may kill leukemia cells while sparing healthy ones.
How can I get cannabis oil if it is legal in my state?
Ordering CBD oil from a company that ships to your state is typically the easiest way to get it in your home. Be aware that some companies don’t ship to all 50 states.
Alternatively, if you live near a medical marijuana dispensary, there’s usually a variety of CBD products available for purchase. To find out whether they carry what you’re looking for, call ahead or visit their website.
Some dispensaries also offer free delivery services or will have someone meet you at a nearby location. In any case, don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything on the menu!
Is this research new or should I wait until studies have been done for longer than five years?
It seems that CBD has more potential benefits than any other drug that’s been developed for cancer treatments. However, most of the research so far is too new to conclusively say if this is true or not.
More research needs to be done to evaluate CBD’s effect on cancer cells in particular.
There’s been some lab evidence that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in a way that may slow down tumor growth but there have been no studies on humans.
Until those are completed it’s hard to tell whether it will help. For now, it looks like a promising option worth exploring even though there are some unanswered questions about how it might work.
Also, cannabinoids have been found to decrease tumor size in mice. THC appears to stop prostate cancer cells from spreading while CBD may reduce breast cancer stem cells.
One study showed that cannabis oil with high levels of CBD was able to inhibit lung metastasis by an amazing 99%. The trouble is figuring out which compounds would be best used together against specific cancers and what dosage would be best tolerated by each person.
Is smoking cannabis better than taking cannabis oil?
There are many ways to take CBD. For those who suffer from anxiety, joint pain, or other symptoms that respond well to marijuana without smoking the plant, it can be taken as oil and applied directly to the skin.
CBD comes in many forms like edibles, capsules, oil tinctures, and lotions. Whether you want to smoke a joint or rub some lotion on your chest if you are worried about cancer, there is a way for you to do it.
Smoking cannabis gives a quick high but vaping will give you more relief. It all depends on what works best for you! Do not feel discouraged if one method does not work well for you.
We recommend trying different methods until you find one that has the right effects for you. If taking CBD oil seems too intense, try taking it under the tongue.
If applying THC-infused cream to your sore shoulder feels good then stick with that treatment plan. Your health is important so explore your options carefully before making any decision.
Are there any side effects from taking cannabis as part of my cancer treatment?
There are a few side effects that can be experienced from using cannabis as part of cancer treatment. Some people experience appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, irritability, or nervousness.
This can be temporary but it is worth noting that there may be some additional benefits from using cannabis during cancer treatment such as pain relief or making the other aspects of treatment more tolerable. CBD oils may also help with nausea, anxiety, and depression.
These side effects are usually dose-dependent so it’s important to keep in mind how much you’re taking at any given time and how this will affect you when considering whether to continue taking CBD oil as part of your cancer treatment plan.
For example, if you have an increase in dosage then these side effects could be more intense than usual. It’s always a good idea to consult with your physician before adding anything new to your treatment regimen and they’ll be able to give you guidance on what’s right for you!
