A common culprit in the cancer world can be inflammation. Anything that causes chronic inflammation can potentially lead to cancer. And, according to a recent study, cancer is something that cannabis is uniquely suited to help with. This article goes over the role of cannabis in the fight against cancer.
How Medical Marijuana Helps Cancer Patients
There are many ways in which medical marijuana can help cancer patients. Perhaps the most well-known is its ability to help with pain relief, but it can also help with nausea, vomiting and anti-tumor properties such as apoptosis (cancer cell death). In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that cannabinoids (the active compounds in cannabis) may have anticancer properties.
Pain relief
Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, can be incredibly painful. It’s not uncommon for patients to report feeling pain even after their treatment is finished. This is where medical marijuana can be a huge help.
Cannabis has been shown to be an effective pain reliever, both in the short and long term. This means that it can help with the acute pain of cancer treatments as well as the chronic pain that some cancer patients experience.
Nausea and vomiting
In addition to pain relief, medical marijuana can also help with nausea and vomiting. These are common side effects of cancer treatments, and they can make it difficult for patients to keep food down or get the nutrients they need.
Cannabis has been shown to be an effective anti-nausea agent, which can also help cancer patients keep food down and get the nutrition they need. And nutrition is a vital part of the healing process.
Appetite stimulation
Cannabis can also help with appetite stimulation. This is important because cancer treatments can often cause patients to lose their appetite, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition.
Cannabis has been shown to increase appetite in cancer patients, which can help them maintain their weight and get the nutrition they need.
Cannabis in the Fight Against Cancer and its Symptoms
There are a number of other potential benefits of cannabis in the fight against cancer. These include:
- Reduced inflammation
- Stimulation of new brain cell growth (neurogenesis)
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved sleep quality
All of these potential benefits make medical marijuana an intriguing option for cancer patients. However, it is important to remember that more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.
In fact, new research from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology suggests medical cannabis is safe for cancer patients and can reduce the burden of symptoms.
The study looked at 324 patients with various types of cancer. The patients were treated with medical cannabis for three months. The study found that medical cannabis was associated with a significant reduction in symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Depression
The study also found that medical cannabis was well tolerated by patients, with few side effects reported.
While the results of this study are promising, it is important to remember that larger, long-term studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits. Nevertheless, the findings of this study suggest that medical cannabis may be a safe and effective treatment option for cancer patients.
So, if you are undergoing cancer treatment, remember that the benefits of medical marijuana may help you with adverse effects. And if you’re interested in getting your medical marijuana card, please reach out to Medwell Health and Wellness Centers!
Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.
