Cannabis and Cancer
There’s been a lot of hype around cannabis use among cancer patients, and for good reason. Like with many other disorders such as Lyme Disease or Multiple Sclerosis, cancer patients use cannabis largely to treat symptoms like chemotherapy induced pain and nausea. But unlike many other disorders cannabis is used to treat, research shows cannabis may be able to not only treat cancer symptoms, but may actually cure the disease. While many current cancer treatments, most notably chemo and radiation therapies, are literally poisonous, cannabis may offer a safe, natural alternative that has minimal side effects.
Studies dating back to the 1970s have shown THC slows tumor growth. Subsequent studies have shown that cannabinoids not only slow growth, but actually promote apoptosis (cell death) in certain cancer cell lines and interferes with neovascularization (or limits blood supply to tumors). This helps prevent migration, adhesion, and matastization—i.e. the spread of cancer to different parts of the body. And it seems cannabinoids do this in a targeted manner so that only cancerous cells are destroyed. There even seems to be some evidence that as cannabinoids kill diseased cells they simultaneously fortify healthy cells! Interestingly, cannabis seems to treat certain types of cancer better than others. Research has shown that cannabis has high success rates in killing skin and bladder cancer cells and seems to be effective at preventing the spread of breast cancer and shrinking tumor size in patients with glioblastoma. A new report out of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, however, shows that THC actually accelerates head and neck cancer in patients with HPV. So not all cancers are created equal when it comes to cannabis treatments.
One reason that certain types of cancer may be more receptive to cannabis treatments is that certain types of cancer cells have higher than normal levels of cannabinoid receptors. Some argue that this shows cannabinoids don’t just happen to kill cancer cells, but that the human body is programmed to respond this way. Furthering this belief is research that shows endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide, an endocannabinoid structurally similar to THC, kill cancer cells in a similar way to their phytocannabinoid counterparts. There is ample evidence out their to support the idea that patients with stronger endocannabinoid systems have better success rates, and several case reports have shown a dose dependent relationship between cancer cell levels and amount of concentrate used. There is also some evidence that cannabis users are at decreased risk for certain types of cancer, like lung cancer.
There are many methods of consumption utilized by cancer patients, but perhaps the most common is hemp oil. Generally speaking, cancer treatment calls for high doses of cannabis, making concentrated forms of cannabis especially useful. Full spectrum methods are also often preferred so that various therapeutic molecules can work synergistically to attack cancer from multiple angles—for instance THC appears to reduce tumor size, whereas CBD seems to prevent the proliferation of new cancer cells (CBG has also been shown to have an effect on the spread of cancer). One product that’s received a lot of press in recent years is Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). Developed by Canadian engineer Rick Simpson, RSO is a full spectrum concentrate that contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis plants in addition to very high THC concentrations. After his doctor confirmed that skin lesions Simpson noticed were cancerous, he developed his concoction and applied it topically and covered the spots with bandages. Simpson started sharing his medicine—and the recipe—for free after he experienced complete remission in a matter of days (the lesions had completely disappeared!). Because of its high potency RSO can have more side effects than other forms of cannabis, the most frequent being increased drowsiness. Patients who are looking more to treat side effects of other therapies might prefer vaporizing (which acts much more quickly) or edibles (which come in much lower doses).
There is no shortage of anecdotal evidence that cannabis is a miracle cure for cancer patients, but, as with any medication, patients should take some time to educate themselves and consult with a professional before beginning treatment.