When considered as a whole, the various forms of cancer are fairly common. Scientists are still working to understand the environmental, hereditary and behavioral factors that increase cancer risk. It is no exaggeration to say that cancer has directly or indirectly affected every American alive today. Every time a person is diagnosed with cancer, the patient experiences shock and distress. These individuals deserve the benefit of the most effective cancer medicines available today. For far too long, petty political considerations have kept patients from receiving access to medicinal cannabis. Fortunately, more and more states are allowing cancer patients to address their symptoms with cannabis.
Medical Marijuana Research Policy
This gradual change in public policy is long overdue. For many years now, the medical community has recognized that marijuana can play a positive role in treating cancer, glaucoma and many other conditions. In fact, medical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of medical cannabis for several decades now. When marijuana studies are impartial and conducting with modern methods, medicinal benefits are always found.
From 2001 to 2003, researchers published as many as 18 significant studies demonstrating that THC can battle the growth of cancer cells and tumors. Since this particular benefit is mostly derived from animal studies, we need similar research on human subjects to fully explore the potentials of THC. State, federal and local policy makers should definitely create a regulatory framework for more research into this area. Furthermore, researchers deserve adequate funding to further their important work on THC. It doesn’t make sense to spend vast sums developing new synthetic medicines while neglecting the potential of naturally-occurring compounds like THC.
Cannabis to Help Cancer Patients
Besides likely reducing cancer risk, chemicals in cannabis can also ameliorate the negative side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In some cases, these treatments have side effects are so severe that they inspire patients to abandon their recommended care plans. Thus we see that medicinal cannabis can help ill people live longer, more fulfilling lives. THC is the chemical marijuana contains in the highest concentration.
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This chemical is a proven antiemetic, which means that it is a potent defense against nausea and vomiting. This effect is particularly relevant for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, a form of treatment that leads to severe loss of appetite.
It should surprise few that this plant has so many powerful medicinal uses. After all, herbalists around the world have used marijuana as a remedy for centuries. Scientists have singled out THC and CBD as two marijuana ingredients with particular usefulness in the world of oncology. As of now, the FDA has already approved cannabis-derived Dronabinol and Nabilone for certain patients. Canada is even more progressive when it comes to approving marijuana-derived medicines. Canadian pharmacies carry a medicine called Sativex, which combines THC and CBD in one convenient package.
Pain Relief with Medical Marijuana
Pain relief is perhaps the most famous of marijuana’s effects. Clearly, marijuana treats cancer pain as well as any opioid medication. Compared to other medications traditionally used to control pain, cannabis certainly has low risk for addiction and habituation. Besides simply treating cancer, there is some available evidence demonstrating that THC can prevent tumors from growing in the first place. Unfortunately, the U.S. government still won’t allow researchers to conduct the extensive research needed to fully explore the benefits of marijuana.
Though THC and CBD are the main therapeutic ingredients in marijuana, this plant contains a number of other cannabinoids that aren’t fully understood as of yet. Though these ingredients bear a strong resemblance to THC, they aren’t exactly identical. It is possible that these other cannabinoids in cannabis interact positively with THC. For whatever reason, many patients report best results from using marijuana directly. Through further study, researchers may yet demonstrate that marijuana’s all-natural cocktail of cannabinoids is uniquely therapeutic.
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If you or a loved one would like to use medical marijuana for cancer, don’t let your distaste for smoking deter you. You don’t have to smoke marijuana to take advantage of its medicinal effects. Many cancer patients instead eat brownies, candies, baked goods and tinctures infused with marijuana. Other people ingest their medicinal herb through the use of a vaporizer, a device that gently heats herb material to create a light vapor. Because vaporizers do not heat marijuana to the point of combustion, vapor does not contain any of the carcinogens common to smoke. Additionally, marijuana can relieve muscle spasms and help you get to sleep.
If more cancer patients were able to use marijuana or products derived from marijuana, it would greatly increase the quality of life of some of the most ill people in the nation. LifeBoost is proud to work with Dr. Bruce Stratt, one of the first Florida doctors approved to evaluate patients seeking to use medicinal marijuana. To pre-qualify yourself for medicinal cannabis use, contact LifeBoost today.