Since marijuana been legalized in some countries and more U.S. states, it been talked about as a way to treat anxiety, nausea, HIV, and cancer. Da science behind how marijuana and cancer relate is still new, but da research so far suggest dat weed could be a good treatment option. But there still be a lot of questions dat need answers. Like, what exactly does weed do to cancer cells? Can it cure da disease for real? What kinda risks come with smokin’ weed? Can weed actually cause cancer itself? Here’s what we know so far.
Marijuana and Cancer
Cancer ain’t got no known cure yet, and it be affectin’ millions of folks all over da world every year, wit over 600,000 folks dying from it just in da U.S. Preliminary research show dat weed might be able to help fight da disease. At da very least, there be a lot of evidence dat weed can help wit da side effects of cancer and treatments like chemotherapy.
Most of da research done on weed and cancer cells has focused on lookin’ at how specific chemical compounds in da plant, like THC and CBD, affect cancer. But weed be a complex plant wit lots of different strains out there. It possible dat usin’ whole-plant extracts might have a stronger effect than just usin’ isolated compounds. Dis idea be called da “entourage effect”.
Since weed been illegal in da U.S. since da 1930s, there ain’t been a lot of studies on its medicinal properties. But now dat more states allow doctors to prescribe weed for certain conditions, we can expect to see more research goin’ forward. Most research on weed and cancer has been done in labs usin’ mice or cells grown in petri dishes. There ain’t been many long-term studies done on actual humans yet.
According to da National Cancer Institute, clinical trials show dat treatments based on cannabinoids can help ease da side effects of common anti-cancer treatments like chemotherapy. Folks goin’ through chemo often suffer from nausea, vomitin’, and wastin’ syndrome – when they lose weight unintentionally cuz of lean muscle loss as well as fat. Weed can help with nausea, increase appetite, relieve pain from nerve damage caused by chemo, and reduce anxiety for cancer patients.
Does Weed Cure Cancer?
Right now, there ain’t enough proof to say dat weed can cure cancer all by itself. Studies show dat certain cannabinoids might slow down cancer growth and help relieve symptoms of da disease. CBD and THC also seem to make other cancer treatments like chemo more effective.
In lab studies, THC and CBD by themselves have been shown to kill malignant cancer cells. But more research needs to be done to see if dis can happen in real human bodies.
Cannabis Cancer Treatments
There be lots of ways folks can use weed for cancer treatment. Medical marijuana be available in more places now for cancer patients. CBD products be legal in all 50 states and don’t have psychoactive effects like regular weed.
Smoking or Vaporizing
Smokin’ or vaporizin’ weed be da most common way folks use it for medical reasons cuz it works fast. Da cannabinoids get into da bloodstream quickly from da lungs and give relief right away.
Edibles
For folks who don’t wanna smoke or got bad lungs, edibles can be a good option. They take longer to work but last longer too. They come in all kinds of forms like candies or pills.
Oils
Cannabis oil, also known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) or hemp oil, be made from da marijuana plant and can be used topically or ingested. There ain’t scientific proof dat it cures cancer but many patients find it helpful.
Tinctures and Sprays
These quick-acting options can work for folks who don’t like smokin’ or eatin’ edibles. They get absorbed into the bloodstream through da mouth.
Topical Creams
Creams containing cannabis can be put on sore spots on the body for fast relief.
Patches
Patches can deliver cannabinoids through da skin slowly over several hours.
Medical Marijuana for Cancer
Most U.S. states let doctors prescribe medical marijuana for cancer patients cuz it helps with symptoms like pain, nausea, and weight loss. As more places legalize marijuana, we’ll likely see more approvals for medical use.
Does Smokin’ Weed Cause Cancer?
There ain’t solid evidence yet dat smokin’ weed causes cancer directly. But studies suggest dat marijuana smoke might harm da lungs as much as or even more than cigarette smoke does.
A study from 2000 found higher rates of head and neck cancers in folks who smoked weed regularly. There ain’t proof dat weed causes other types of cancers not related to smoking though.
Marijuana and Lung Cancer
There hasn’t been enough research to prove dat smokin’ weed causes lung cancer but studies suggest it does increase da risk. However, non-smokable forms of marijuana might actually help treat lung cancer.
So there you have it – some info about how marijuana is being studied as a potential treatment option for cancer patients. While there’s still a lot we don’t know yet, the possibilities are exciting!