Cannabidiol or CBD is becoming more popular in a wide range of medical treatments. CBD is also giving hope to individuals who are undergoing cancer treatment. CBD has been shown to not only manage the symptoms that occur during the disease but also some of the side effects of treatment.
CBD is derived from cannabis plants but it is not the same compound as THC which produces the psychoactive high that many people know cannabis for.
Early results regarding cancer cells and CBD have produced promising findings but there are no conclusive results or long-term studies.
CBD is complementary to therapy by stimulating these positive effects.
Improvements To Appetite
For many people undergoing chemotherapy, it’s difficult to manage appetite. CBD can help with ongoing symptoms of nausea and make sure that patients can maintain a healthy weight. Ingested CBD can ensure that there is no loss of weight or appetite throughout treatment.
Relief of Pain
Cancer often causes inflammation and the treatment can lead to pain and pressure on the organs. CBD acts as a powerful pain relief mechanism by affecting the two cannabinoid receptors. This can help with symptoms of pain as well as reduce inflammation.
Cancer Prevention
CBD is also being studied as a potential preventative measure for cancer. We have found links between cannabis and cancer cell growth and a series of studies have suggested that CBD could actually reduce rates of bladder cancer and other forms of cancer growth.
The National Cancer Institute has done numerous studies in which there is a link between cannabis and cancer though there are mixed results in the research. In studies profiling over 64,000 men in the United States, cannabis use did not increase the risk of tobacco-related cancers but some male cannabis users had an increased risk of prostate cancer.
In studies from 2015 there was a promising link between cannabis and bladder cancer. After several factors of adjustment, it was discovered that cannabis users had a 45% lower risk for developing bladder cancers.
The way that users ingest CBD can be important. Cannabis smoke does still produce a series of carcinogens and the links between cancer and inhaled marijuana have inconclusive results. Ingesting CBD extract will not expose the body to the same type of carcinogens and this could produce the health benefits with the chance for cancer prevention from CBD.
Is CBD Responsible For Treating Cancer?
There are not currently any ongoing clinical trials for investigating the use of cannabis in cancer treatment. In 2016, cannabinoids did show promise when it came to fighting the symptoms of cancer cells. A series of small pilot studies conducted in 2015 have suggested that CBD could inhibit the growth of various tumor cells in animal testing as well as in test tube studies.
Dosage of cannabinoids was the most difficult aspect of the study to track. Higher doses of cannabinoids may start to suppress the immune system and this could allow tumors to grow unimpeded. A large amount of research was necessary in order to determine the best therapeutic use of CBD in cancer treatment.
The Overall Side Effects Of CBD
The cannabinoid receptors in the brain do not work the same way as other types of drug receptors. It appears that there is no chance for a lethal dose of CBD. It does not affect the central nervous system in the same way that opiates do. The receptors are widespread in the body and CBD can affect the organs and tissues as well as the brain.
Many studies have showcased that most people can tolerate extremely high doses of CBD. There are some small side effects that can occur as a result of finding an ideal dosage, these include: Diarrhea, fatigue, changes in weight and changes in appetite.
CBD does also have some drug interactions that can occur. If you are taking certain medications it’s wise to speak to a physician before considering CBD as the interaction with these medications can cause liver damage. If you are taking antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, sedatives or muscle relaxers it may be wise for you to exercise some caution when taking CBD. A prescription medication that warns of an interaction with cannabis may also be an indicator that there will be a drug interaction with CBD. Speaking to a physician before you begin taking regular doses of CBD can make sure that you may not face these interactions.
Can I Take CBD Legally?
CBD products are derived from hemp and you can purchase any CBD products with a potency of less than .3% THC anywhere in the United States. Certain CBD-based products may still be deemed illegal at a federal level if they contain higher amounts of THC. It is very important that you are checking on the source of the CBD and the plants that it is derived from. CBD –based products that are derived from marijuana are still considered illegal substances. Checking into laws before traveling with CBD products can also be an essential practice if you plan on taking your medication with you internationally. Many CBD products do not have FDA approval at this time and this can lead to some confusion with inaccurate labeling and problems with some interstate travel as well. Taking CBD is a completely legal practice and you can often purchase it in many states without issue, traveling with it abroad can be a different story.
Conclusions
CBD at this current time appears to be a beneficial compound when managing cancer symptoms. There is no scientific research that suggests that CBD can be an effective cancer treatment over the long term. CBD works as a complementary treatment for many people who are managing nausea and chronic pain. CBD is not necessarily a cure for cancer but it can work to ease the quality of life throughout any type of cancer treatment.
If you are interested in using CBD as a treatment for cancer or as a complementary therapy you should consult your physician today.
This post was written by Flo Sugyatno, operations manager of PureMed and CBD Expert. At PureMed we are a CBD store in Washington DC. We know that the best product comes from the best ingredients. That’s why we only use local, non-GMO ingredients that are grown without pesticides! We Produce Worry-Free CBD.
