Know the Potential Effect of Cannabis Against Cancer Scientists have studied many biologically active components of cannabis, and two of the best-known components are the chemicals delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD), often used in herbal remedies for centuries. To date, US DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) still lists marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, but its usage is legal under the laws in many states. Medicinal use of marijuana dates back to at least 3,000 years in Asia and was later introduced to Western medicine by W.B. O’Shaughnessy in 1839, a surgeon who learned of its properties while working for the British East India Company. Nowadays marijuana is legal in most of the countries, so there are many weed delivery services around you in California for free delivery.
CANCER AND CHEMOTHERAPY According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Each
year, more than 1.6 million people are diagnosed with cancer and nearly 600,000 resulted in death. Thirty percent approximately of all Americans develop it in their lifetimes. The kinds of cancer expected to increase the most are melanoma, prostate, kidney, liver, and bladder cancers in men and lung, breast, uterine, and thyroid cancers in women. Chemotherapy (chemo) refers to the medicines or drugs used to treat cancer. Traditional or standard chemotherapy uses medications that are cytotoxic – substance or process to kill or damage cells. Chemotherapy makes you feel sick or nauseated, and even cause you to vomit. Emesis (nausea and vomiting) occurs when one of the various sensory centers becomes stimulated. It may last a short time or days after treatment and may be accompanied by retching.
HOW DOES CANNABIS AFFECT SYMPTOMS OF CANCER? 1 in 4 cancer patients seeks medical cannabis treatment options in states or countries that have legalized marijuana due to its potential benefits such as pain relief, appetite stimulation, anti-emetic effects, and sleep improvement. Physicians caring for cancer patients in the United States recommend medical cannabis mainly for symptom management. People have reached out for cannabis to ease nausea for centuries; to date, more studies are being conducted to understand just how CBD relieves emesis. Animal studies have proven it to be effective, while other research examined how it targets specific neural receptors to produce its anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects. Evidence suggests that CBD would be helpful to treat difficult to manage nausea and anticipatory nausea, a symptom that begins before chemo as a conditioned response. Cannabis-based medication is said to be safe and well-tolerated as an anti-nausea supplement.
CANNABINOID DRUGS Scientists have tested several cannabinoids (delta-9 THC and less abundant delta-8-THC) for their ability to suppress vomiting. Approved in the US for medical use, these are the two marijuana-based drugs available in the market today.
Nabilone (Cesamet®) – the synthetic cannabinoid that acts the same as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy when another medication has not worked. It is taken by mouth. Dronabinol (Marinol®) – approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dronabinol is a gelatin capsule used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy as well as a poor appetite for patients with HIV/AIDS. A cannabinoid drug Naxibimol is still under study in the US. It is a mouth spray made up of THC and CBD to treat pain linked to cancer. It is available in Canada and parts of Europe but it’s not yet approved in the US this time, though it is now tested in clinical trials.
WHAT DOES THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAY ABOUT THE USAGE OF CANNABIS FOR CANCER? The American Cancer Society (ACS) believes that the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration established many conditions for more research and study of cannabinoids. They support the need for more scientific research and evidence on cannabis and their effects on cancer patients. Medical decisions for pain and symptom management should be between the patient and his or her physician, with any laws and regulations that may apply.
CONCLUSION Cannabinoids are an important class of large and many compounds of cannabis that have a promising therapeutic potential for various diseases. They were able to regulate tumor growth in different cancer models, however, effects are dependent on the cancer type and drug dosage. More recently, reports suggested that THC and other cannabinoids slow growth or even cause death in certain types of cancer cells tested in lab dishes. As far as animal studies have shown, certain cannabinoids decelerate the growth and cut the spread of some forms of
cancer. A two-year study in mice and rats shows that cannabinoids have a protective effect against the development of certain types of tumors. Mice and rats were given various doses of THC by gavage and a decrease in the incidence of hepatic adenoma, carcinoma, and benign tumors were observed. More clinical trials of cannabinoids for treating cancer in humans are planned. While it can be safe for treatment use, more research is needed to show if it can indeed cure or control the disease. Researchers know it works; they just need to find how specifically so they can fit its use to particular afflictions. Should you be prescribed for medicinal treatment by your attending physician, you can search for marijuana delivery near you in California for free today.