CBD or cannabidiol is among the many cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, including marijuana and hemp. While it’s incredibly early to make any affirmations about how CBD can treat cancer, this compound could aid in managing any symptoms triggered by treatment or any diseases.
Unlike THC or tetrahydrocannabinol that is psychoactive, CBD won’t make you “high” when ingested or smoked. Also, a lot of researchers are seeking out possibilities of using CBD for chronic pain and anxiety treatment.
Moreover, even though the initial results from several studies on CBD for cancer are promising, they’re not conclusive. In this post, let us delve into how CBD might help treat cancer. Read on to know more!
CBD for Cancer
Can CBD help in treating cancer? According to research, it does. There is strong evidence backing up the notion that CBD can cut back tumor growth in animals with cancer. Also, the study showed that CBD could enhance the potency of particular medicines used to cure cancer.
According to a 2019 review of in vivo and in vitro, studies concentrating on pancreatic cancer found that CBD can aid in slowing tumor growth, incite tumor cell death, and minimize tumor invasion. The authors of the study wrote that research into the efficacy of various dosing, formulations, and strict mode of action is urgently needed.
Additionally, another study revealed that CBD could cause glioblastoma cells to be more sensitive to radiation without influencing healthy cells and provoking cell death. Other studies show the effectiveness of CBD in clinical models of breast cancer, reducing breast cancer cell invasion and proliferation.
These are only quite a few promising studies that tackled the potentials of CBD to treat cancer. Even so, it’s too early to say that this compound is an effective and safe treatment for cancer. Thus, it should not be deemed a substitute for cancer treatment.
Complementary Treatment
Radiation, chemotherapy, and other cancer treatments can prompt many different side effects, including loss of appetite and nausea that can lead to significant weight loss. Research indicates that CBD could help ease poor appetite, nausea, and neuropathic pain due to cancer treatment and the disease.
Also, CBD is reckoned to contain anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the FDA hasn’t approved any CBD products as a medication to treat cancer and its symptoms yet. As far as we’re concerned, Epidiolex is the only CBD product to be FDA-approved. Its sole use is for treating two rare types of epilepsy.
Cancer Prevention
Studies about the potential role of cannabinoids in treating cancer have created mixed results, as reviewed by the National Cancer Institute. According to an earlier study of at least 65,000 men from the US, cannabis use didn’t raise the risk of tobacco-related cancers.
But the study also revealed that male users who don’t smoke tobacco were more susceptible to prostate cancer. Additionally, according to a 2015 study, a significant relationship between bladder cancer and cannabis was found.
Cannabis users had a forty-five percent reduced risk of having bladder cancer. Although research has exhibited that cannabis use still makes or creates carcinogens, the relationship between cancer and inhaled cannabis is still inconclusive.
More thorough, in-depth studies are needed to identify what role CBD has to play in cancer prevention.
Side Effects
The World Health Organization states that CBD has an excellent safety profile and that adverse side effects are caused by interactions with other medicines or drugs. It says that there is no proof of public health-affiliated problems from using pure CBD.
According to an extensive review of studies in 2017, CBD is predominantly safe, having minimal side effects. The side effects include weight changes, fatigue, diarrhea, and appetite changes. Moreover, more thorough research is required to learn other side effects of CBD.
Selecting CBD Products
CBD is a natural remedy for many illnesses. However, even such substances should be dealt with diligence and caution. Keep in mind that there are differences between various CBD products.
There are many reliable online sellers for which you can buy high-quality CBD products, like in discountpharms.com. Even so, some labels provide incorrect health claims or unsafe ingredients, which could be very dangerous for your optimal health. Researchers have analyzed at least 84 products online, and 43% had higher CBD amounts than what the label says.
Also, 26% of these products had less concentration than stated. So, if you are currently in cancer treatment, remember that a lot of substances can react with other therapies. And among them are herbal supplements and CBD products. It is wise to consult your doctor about the possible risks and benefits of CBD, as well as where to buy them and what to look for.
Takeaway
As a whole, more rigorous and thorough studies are needed to know the possible risks and benefits of CBD, including its administration, proper dosage, and potential influences on cancer treatments. That said, for now, CBD must not be used as a substitute for other cancer therapies.
At present, there are still no CBD products approved by the FDA for cancer. However, some people are using CBD to relieve the side effects of the disease or cancer treatment. Also, since CBD can interact with other medications, it is wise to talk to your doctor before taking it.
