CBD is gaining popularity because it appears to have numerous advantages. While there is still some controversy, some people advocate for the use of CBD in cancer treatment. Overall, it is too soon to make any claims about CBD’s effectiveness as a cancer treatment. Small studies on cancer cells have yielded interesting results, but they are not conclusive.
Meanwhile, this compound may aid in the management of some cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, according to Trusted Source. Researchers are also looking into a variety of other, possibly related, CBD uses, such as treating anxiety and chronic pain and Cbd oil for sleep.
CBD should not be confused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a separate chemical found in cannabis that generates a “high” when smoked or ingested. Learn about the ways that CBD can help patients with cancer in this article.
As a complementary therapy, THC and CBD can be used together.
The majority of the research suggests that CBD and cannabis medicines may be beneficial in the treatment of cancer. CBD may benefit cancer patients by:
- Appetite stimulation
Ingesting a cannabis product that distributes THC to the bloodstream may aid with hunger stimulation. However, there is no evidence that CBD has this impact on its own.
- Getting rid of the pain
Inflammation, internal organ strain, and nerve injury are all significant causes of pain in cancer patients. When the pain is severe, opioids, which are potent pain medications, may become ineffective.
CBD has an indirect effect on the CB2 receptors, which may provide pain relief by lowering inflammation. THC works by activating the CB1 receptors, which may aid with pain caused by nerve injury.
- Getting rid of nausea
Cannabis may benefit cancer patients who suffer from nausea and vomiting on a regular basis, especially if nausea and vomiting are caused by chemotherapy. The antinausea effect, on the other hand, appears to derive from the THC in the plant, rather than the CBD. Anyone considering using cannabis to treat nausea should be aware of the psychoactive effects of THC in recommended cannabis products and consult with a doctor first. Low amounts of THC provide alleviation for many people. There are also prescription versions of synthetic THC that have fewer adverse effects.
While CBD appears to assist with some cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, there is no evidence that CBD can actually cure cancer. CBD may actually hinder certain cancer treatments, according to the NCITrusted Source. Before using CBD during cancer treatment, like with any new product, consult with a doctor to confirm that it will not cause any interactions.
Some people are concerned about the danger of becoming addicted to CBD. Epidiolex, a CBD medication licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat epilepsy, showed no signs of physical dependence in clinical trials. Epidiolex’s manufacturers do include the possibility of liver problems in the product’s safety information.
Finally, CBD inhibits specific enzymes that may be important for cancer therapies, according to the Trusted Source. In persons who consume CBD, cancer treatments that rely on these enzymes may be less successful.
