1. Nausea and vomiting
Already, prescription drugs containing synthetic THC are available to chemotherapy patients who fail to respond to other treatments. Research has shown that various cannabis compounds can ease stomach pain and quiet nausea and vomiting. These include THC, CBD, and a less common cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).
2. Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons patients turn to medical cannabis. In a 2016 survey of 271 cannabis patients, 30 percent of respondents reported that they used the herb over prescription painkillers. 63 percent reported that they preferred cannabis over various types of pharmaceuticals.
3. Quality of life
Everyone knows that laughter is the best medicine. Cannabis is famous for its mood-bosting, euphoric, and relaxing characteristics. Though subjective, many find these properties to be beneficial for maintaining mental health.
The herb also helps consumers fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. These qualities can drastically improve the quality of life in those with cancer as well as other serious health conditions.
Which cannabis treatments are helpful for cancer?
Unfortunately for many cannabis lovers out there, smoking the herb is NOT an effective treatment for cancer. Neither is eating the occasional infused-brownie or lemonade. In fact, cannabis is not an approved cancer treatment in the majority of countries.
Yet, medical cannabis patients hoping to reap the most benefit from the plant utilize the herb in several different ways. While it’s vital to work with a canna-savvy medical professional before changing your treatment plan, here are some common ways cancer patients use the herb:
1. Full-extract medical cannabis oil
Medical cannabis patients hoping to incorporate the plant into their cancer routine often rely on full extract medical cannabis oil. Sometimes referred to as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), medical cannabis oil is the concentrated essential oil of the cannabis plant.
This oil is often extracted from large quantities of cannabis using a grain alcohol or ethanol as a solvent. The solvent is burned off through the extraction process. This oil is perhaps the most powerful cannabis product available. Cannabis patients often take this oil both topically and orally, depending on the circumstances.
To learn more about medical cannabis oil, check out these two articles:
- How to Make The Best Medical Cannabis Oil
- How to Pick The Best Medical Cannabis Oil
2. Edibles
Edibles are a popular choice for strong symptom management, especially pain. Cannabis-infused foods provide a more powerful experience than simply inhaling the herb. Teas, tinctures, and baked goods are some of the most common forms of edible cannabis.
When consuming oral cannabis, the effects of the herb can take significantly longer to take effect. Expect to wait 30 minutes to two hours before relief.
3. Raw dietary cannabis
Believe it or not, raw cannabis is not psychoactive. Here, “raw” refers to fresh plant material that has not been dried or heated. While there is no significant research on dietary cannabis and cancer, many patients choose to incorporate raw cannabis juices, smoothies, and foodstuffs into their routines.
Very early evidence suggests that some of the acids present in raw cannabis, notably the precursor acids to THC and CBD (THCA and CBDA), have demonstrated anticancer effects. However, raw cannabis alone certainly won’t cure the disease. Instead, dietary cannabis is more like a superfood that promotes good health.
For more information on raw dietary cannabis, read the full article here.
4. Vaporization
Inhalation is one of the fastest ways to feel the relieving effects of cannabis. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who will suggest that smoking is healthy for cancer patients. Instead, low-temperature vaporization is thought to be one of the healthiest ways to inhale the herb.
Low-temperature vaporization will not provide a large enough dose to kill cancer cells. However, vaporization can be helpful in reducing nausea, pain, and improving mental health in cannabis patients.
What’s still needed in cannabis and cancer research
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The information presented in this article is a very small sampling of the research on cannabis and cancer. Unfortunately, the lack of human clinical trials means that no one can say with scientific certainty that cannabis is an effective treatment for cancer. However, many patients around the globe are already incorporating the plant into daily life.
Everyone responds differently to cannabis. Always work with a trusted medical professional before making changes to a treatment plan. The information in this article is intended for helpful and educational purposes and should not be used in place of medical advice or treatment.
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