For many years now, people have been using cannabis for ritualistic, recreational, and medicinal purposes. However, it is in this modern era that the population is starting to focus more on the medicinal properties of marijuana. Numerous tests and studies have been carried out to exploit this exciting prospect of marijuana.
While it is true that cannabis has been used to treat a wide scope of physical conditions, some claims are yet to be substantiated. One bold assertion that has been made is that CBD can be used to cure cancer.
So, is this true?
Alluring as these speculations may be, most of them tend to be based on wishful thinking, misunderstanding, the need to stir up controversy, or outright lies. The truth, unfortunately, is there has never been a research carried out that conclusively established that CBD can treat cancer.
However, cannabis has been used by chemotherapy patients for various reasons. CBD is an established treatment option for various side effects of chemotherapy including nausea, pain, insomnia, anxiety, loss of appetite, etc. Some compounds in cannabis have shown the property to slow the growth of cancerous cells, hence reducing the propagation of the disease among patients.
CBD and Cancer Cell Growth
Scientists have been carrying out extensive research to determine cannabis’ potential efficacy to kill cancerous cells. More recently, researchers have pointed to the realization that THC and other cannabinoids including CBD can limit the growth and cause the death of particular types of cancerous cells growing in a lab dish.
Other animal case studies also suggest that some cannabinoids may slow down the growth and inhibit the spread of specific forms of tumors without harming healthy cells. While there have been no clinical experiments on human subjects, and understandably so, this revelation assures that patients success stories told in the past weren’t just flukes.
In the experiment that was carried out, scientists used samples of a woman’s breast cancer cells to induce mice with the tumors. They then targeted these tumors with doses of THC to see what will happen. After a while, the scientists established that two cell receptors could be associated with the drug’s anti-tumor effect.
The conclusion was that the major active component in marijuana, THC, possesses anti-cancer properties. This compound acts through a particular kind of cell receptors known as cannabinoid receptors. However, it is not yet clear which one of the receptors should be credited with the anti-tumor properties of THC.
In spite of all the positive feedback showing cannabis to have the effect of slowing the spread of tumors, experts still caution patients against forgoing the conventional treatment alternatives. This is because research has shown that not all cancerous cells are affected by cannabinoids in a similar manner.
Other Points to Consider
Besides, even if marijuana can aid in some form of cancers, it might not be effective for all. The ideal position would be that further research, with emphasis on placebo-controlled clinical experiments, has to be done to completely understand how each form of cancer should be handled individually.
While we have established that CBD won’t cure your cancer, it will definitely be instrumental in inhibiting the spread of the tumor by slowing down the growth of cancer cells.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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