Cancer is one of the most common diseases of our century, and for which there is still no cure. Chemotherapy is one of the major cancer treatments but chemotherapy side effects are also harmful to health.
In countries such as the Netherlands and in some states in the United States, the legalization of cannabis for therapeutic purposes has opened the door to using cannabis for cancer. Using cannabinoids for this disease focuses on alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy. In this regard, many patients have claimed that the therapeutic effects of cannabis has helped them to overcome their cancer.
MEDICINAL CANNABIS TO TREAT CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS
With cancer being the leading cause of death in most developed countries, it is not surprising that there are numerous benefits surrounding medicinal cannabis and cancer. Research confirms that cannabis components can be beneficial to people diagnosed with cancer. Specifically, these studies demonstrate that:
- CBD and THC (two cannabinoids from the cannabis plant) have anticancer properties.
- CBD helps to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and invasion.
- Cannabinoids reduce inflammation and can slow the development of cancer.
Studies have also revealed that progressive consumption of medicinal cannabis can help to eliminate chemotherapy side effects:
- Cannabinoids are pain killers and can reduce or even eliminate pain
- CBD has antiemetic properties, which means it can limit the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
- Cannabinoids have therapeutic effects on patients with cancer, helping to stimulate appetite, generating a better mood and encouraging sleep.
So far, there have been around 82 studies and countless testimonies from patients, all of which demonstrate the benefits of cannabis for cancer. Because of that, many people wonder why the use of therapeutic cannabis remains illegal in many countries, despite the clear evidence of its benefits to treat chemotherapy side effects.