5 Benefits Of Taking Cannabis During Chemotherapy

In the world of natural medicine, cannabidiol or CBD is gaining popularity due to the many benefits it offers to the human body. Cannabidiol or CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana – the two types of cannabis plants.

CBD has proved beneficial in managing the symptoms associated with the deadly cancer disease together with the side effects of the treatment. A 2019 study indicated that CBD could provoke cell death and make glioblastoma cells more sensitive to radiation without causing any hazardous effect on healthy cells. However, prior to making any conclusions or claims, more in-depth research needs to be carried out. It is also interesting when studying CBD, to look for small amounts of THC. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces the high sensation. It can be consumed by smoking cannabis. 

Chemotherapy – An Overview

The term chemotherapy is the use of drugs that prevent cancer cells from dividing, growing and making more cells. Because cancer cells are more capable of growing and dividing faster than normal cells, chemotherapy stops this process by killing the dividing cells. The drugs used in chemotherapy are powerful and can still cause damage to healthy cells. Treatment with these powerful drugs has been divided into different categories namely, standard chemotherapy, traditional chemotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. 

In the case of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, the specific question that comes up is whether or not cannabis can be used. To examine the effects of cannabis for the treatment of cancer, several preclinical research on animals and humans have been done so far. One study conducted upon mice suggested that cannabinoids may have a protective effect against the development of certain types of tumors.

Common Concerns & Side Effects During Chemotherapy

Whether or not a person experience side effects, how severe these side effects will be is completely dependent on the type and dose of drugs they are given and the reaction from one cycle to the next. Most of the side effects are short term and can be treated easily. Once the treatment stops, they tend to gradually improve and normal and healthy cells recover. 

Some of the common side effects caused by chemotherapy include fatigue, hair loss, infection, appetite changes, nerve and muscle problems such as numbness, tingling, and pain, skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change, fertility problems and so on. Therefore, it is vital to know in detail what chemotherapy is all about, how it works, and what to expect. This helps you calm down your fears. It also provides you with a better sense of control over your treatment.

CBD For Pain Relief During Chemotherapy

Both cancer and its associated treatment – chemotherapy leads to chronic pain. The leading cause of pain in cancer patients include inflammation, pressure on internal organs and nerve injury. When the pain is chronic, it can become resistant to opioids which are considered to be the powerful pain relievers. In reference to the A Cross-Sectional Study of Cannabidiol Users, CBD is being used to treat three medical conditions, namely pain, anxiety and depression. In chemotherapy, it indirectly acts on the CB2 receptors, which provides widespread pain relief by reducing the inflammation. On the other hand, THC acts on the CB1 receptors which are beneficial for pain relief occluding because of nerve damage.

CBD For Nausea During Chemotherapy

Several small studies suggested that CBD can help treat nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy. Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid that acts much like THC. When other drugs fail to work, try to take it by mouth to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. 

CBD For Appetite Loss During Chemotherapy

According to a new study published online peer-reviewed medical journal of oncology – Current Oncology, the active ingredient in cannabis improves the appetite and sense of taste in cancer patients. The ingested cannabis that delivers THC and other cannabinoids to the bloodstream stimulates the appetite. The journal is published by Oxford University Press and is the official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology. The notable cannabinoid, has been approved by the FDA to increase appetite for AIDS and antiemetic for chemotherapy. If it increases the appetite of the cancer patients, it will undoubtedly be a bright dawn in the field of cancer nutrition therapy.

CBD For Anxiety During Chemotherapy

Sleep issues are the leading cause of pain and anxiety. All of these problems are much more prevalent in cancer patients. It has been estimated that around 20% of cancer patients suffer from the problem of anxiety and depression. CBD has proved beneficial in treating the problem of anxiety by activating 5-HT1A receptors in the brain. This interaction appears to facilitate serotonin production, creating an antidepressant-like effect.  

CBD For Sleep During Chemotherapy

CBD mimics the structure of the endocannabinoids your own body produces. The main function of the ECS system is to keep your body in a state of balance by regulating your mood, immune system, sleep, and pain response. Fortunately, some studies have found that CBD improves sleep quality by enabling the patients to fall asleep easily and also reduces their nighttime awakenings. Poor sleep quality impairs the proper functioning of the immune system. At the same time, it also worsens the mood together with cognitive performance.

Precautions To Take While Using Cannabis With Chemotherapy

The accumulated preclinical and clinical evidence till date suggests that cannabis is safe to use in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Firstly, the inhibition of CYP in vitro by THC and CBD occurs at very high concentrations. Therefore to manage such interactions, all you need to do is to make small alterations to the dosage. Another area of concern is the use of cannabis during immunotherapy. In reference to the preclinical and clinical studies indicate that cannabinoids exercise immunosuppressant effects which can pose a potential problem when cannabis treatments are combined with immunotherapy.

Takeaway Points

From the above mentioned benefits, CBD indeed appears to be a beneficial compound for many cancer symptoms. It is also a good idea to look around for the best promotions – for example Discount Cannabis Seeds can be found online. But, to date, no scientific research claims that CBD can be effective in the treatment of cancer. Cannabinoids and cannabis itself hold a complementary place when it comes to treating associated problems such as nausea and chronic pain in some cases. But, it is always recommended to discuss with your doctor before using CBD or any other compound during chemotherapy or any other cancer treatments. This helps make sure that this won’t react with any other medication that the cancer patient must be taking. CBD shouldn’t be considered a substitute for other cancer treatment.