CBD or cannabidiol products might be used as a complementary therapy that some people with cancer use to mitigate cancer symptoms and side effects from conventional treatment. Cancer patients should consult their oncologists to avoid drug interactions and adverse treatment consequences.
Is there any research evidence regarding CBD for cancer treatment?
Evidence
There is a limited body of research into the effectiveness and safety of CBD and THC, and these show promising results.
- According to a 2019 report, CBD helps slow down the growth of tumor cell cancers and even their death in patients with pancreatic cancer. However, more research is needed to make these findings conclusive.
- Another 2019 review suggested that cannabidiol could induce cell death and promote radiation treatment in patients with glioblastoma.
- More extensive research by the California Men’s Health Study reported that cannabis application might reduce the risk of bladder cancer. Yet, more clinical studies are required.
- A 2014 study stated that CBD could be beneficial for gliomas treatment.
- A preclinical trial in 2010 demonstrated the potency of cannabidiol for metastatic breast cancer by reducing the spread of cancer cells.
Doctors clearly state that CBD and cannabis shouldn’t be considered a replacement for traditional cancer treatments despite some research evidence. Yet, CBD products can be used to reduce cancer treatment-related side effects.
CBD for Cancer-Related Symptoms
Patients with cancer should keep in mind that CBD treatment doesn’t play a direct role in curing their cancer. However, it may help you deal with symptoms caused by cancer treatments (e.g., chemotherapy), such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia. You should use cannabidiol only with the recommendation of your health care provider and alongside the standard treatment.
Let’s look at how CBD can help you cope with cancer signs.
- Anxiety. CBD can successfully help people with anxiety and provide stress relief.
- Depression. Some people with cancer experience depression during or after cancer treatment. Cannabidiol makes it easier to cope with cancer treatment by reducing the feeling of sadness and hopelessness.
- Fatigue. Fatigue is often a side effect of cancer treatment. It can also be associated with depression because of cancer. In either case, CBD derivatives may affect brain receptors to reduce symptoms of fatigue and improve energy levels.
- Pain. Cancer treatment can be highly exhausting and painful. Since inflammation triggers pain, brain receptors activated by CBD may provide significant pain relief.
- Nausea. People with cancer often experience nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy. And here where cannabis may help. However, the research shows that THC, a psychoactive compound and not CBD, can ease nausea.
- Appetite. Loss of appetite due to nausea is a common sign. As a result, a cancer patient loses weight. On the other hand, consuming CBD products with THC may improve appetite.
- Insomnia. Insomnia, a condition when a person struggles to fall asleep or stay asleep, is one of the cancer-related symptoms. While there are many pharmaceutical solutions to treat this condition, some people find CBD effective for sleep enhancement.
Are Cannabis and Cannabidiol the Same?
It might sound confusing but cannabis and CBD are not the same. We are raising this question to avoid any misunderstanding.
Cannabis or marijuana is a plant. This plant contains a number of compounds known as cannabinoids, which can have a therapeutic effect on the body. The main cannabinoids are THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol – CBD.
THC is a psychoactive component responsible for the feeling of “high .”On the other hand, CBD is a cannabinoid free of any THC. So when we say CBD oil or CBD gummies, we mean the following:
- A solution of a solvent extract from cannabis flowers or/and leaves dissolved in an edible oil with up to 5% of CBD and a very low percentage of THC. On the flip side, a pure CBD isolate contains more than 90% of cannabidiol.
- CBD products are derived from hemp seeds containing either zero level or less than 0.2% of THC, legal under the Farm Bill regulation.
Is CBD for Cancer Safe?
CBD, generally, is considered safe by the World Health Organization. But cancer patients should exercise caution as CBD may interact with over-the-counter medications, including prescription and chemotherapy drugs. Other medications it can interact with:
- Antibiotics
- Medications for anxiety
- Anti-seizure medications
- Antidepressants
- Blood thinners
- Sedatives
- Muscle relaxers
In addition, CBD may hamper a number of enzymes vital for cancer treatments. As a result, cancer therapies that interact with these enzymes could reduce their effectiveness.
Based on the research, we conclude that CBD can:
- Ease cancer symptoms
- Reduce treatment side effects
- Impede cancer metastasis
- Boost the immune system
- Attack cancer cells
However, no study indicates that CBD therapy can be used over traditional treatment. No CBD derivative has been proven to cure any kind of cancer.
Conventional Treatment and CBD for Cancer
Happy Garden offers different types of CBD products. Yet, your oncologist will help you choose the best CBD treatment bases on these factors:
- Your symptoms
- Potential side effects
- Other medications you take
- Your medical history
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications and supplements you take. Some may interfere with CBD.
Why Happy Garden CBD Products
Our CBD products offered online are of premium quality. In addition, they are:
- Derived from hemp and contain a small percentage of THC;
- Derived from cannabis and may have permitted THC level to create a high.
- Accurately labeled, so you can actually see how much CBD is in each product.
- GMP certified, GMO-free, natural and organic, vegan, kosher, halal, and sourced in the USA.
If you are wondering about CBD oil dosage, we recommend starting with a small amount and gradually increasing it.
