CBD which is also popular as Cannabidiol is one of the numerous chemicals which you will find in marijuana plants. There has been publicity of it as an alternative treatment in some online forums. It can even cure numerous kinds of illnesses which are including cancer. Some cancer patients claim that CBD has assisted them as a complementary therapy. It has assisted them in the management of their side effects and symptoms from standard cancer treatment.
Still, there is very little research around CBD and its uses for the treatment of people with cancer. Given below is what you should know about CBD. You will also come to know about what science is presently showing about it. Whether it is effective and safe to use for people who have cancer.
What is meant by CBD?
CBD is one of the hundreds of chemicals that you will find in flowering marijuana plants. CBD does not come with the mind-altering or psychoactive effects of another chemcial found in marijuana. It is popular by the name tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the chemical that serves people with the experience of a "high". On the other hand, people make use of CBD to assist themselves in easing anxiety, pain, and sleep issues.
CBD comes from marijuana plants which are widely popular as hemp. These are particularly grown with low levels of THC and high levels of CBD. Cannabis plants grown with high levels of THC are widely popular by the name marijuana.
CBD comes from oil which gets extracted from the cannabis plant. You can then ingest that oil as a liquid, a gummy, a capsule, or you can inhale through vaping. You can also add this as an ingredient in such kinds of products as skin patches and lotions.
Can CBD Assist People With Cancer?
Studies are underway for answering this question. Some scientists are conducting their study on whether CBD could serve them with instant relief on some of the side effects of cancer & its treatment. For instance, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, or pain. Other scientists are doing their study on whether CBD could potentially slow or stop the growth of cancer or not.
However, to date, no large-scale studies have shown that CBD is having any benefit for the treatment of cancer patients. Most studies that have been done in the laboratory for the evaluation of CBD as a cancer treatment were in human cells or mice. For instance, some studies conducted have stated shown that CBD does the stimulation of the growth of cancer cells in mice with colon cancer or lung cancer.
Other studies have shown that CBD together with THC has killed glioblastoma cancer cells in the lab. However, not a single study was conducted on cancer patients.
There have been some studies conducted that signify that CBD alone, or together with THC might serve you with relief, anxiety, insomnia, or pain. But, these studies were not particular to cancer patients. Where till date no study has shown that CBD serves with ease in these side effects particular to cancer patients. On the other hand, some patients with cancer have reported the benefits of taking CBD. For instance, assisting with vomiting, depression, nausea, and other side effects.
Your doctor might consider prescribing cannabinoids for the management of chronic pain according to ASCO guidelines. If you are living in a state where you will find it illegal. However, ASCO has given some guidelines which state that there is not sufficient evidence for supporting the use of cannabinoids. It is about the prevention of vomiting and nausea of patients with cancer who are receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
There are 2 synthetic marijuana medications, dronabinol (Marinol or Syndros) and nabilone (Cesamet). These are FDA-approved for the treatment of vomiting and nausea that is related to chemotherapy. The preparation of these medications happens in a laboratory.
Is CBD safe for Cancer patients?
You may find stories of people online who are discussing the advantages of CBD as the treatment of cancer. Or as the relief from the side effects of cancer. You must keep in mind that such personal stories, shared without scientific study, while may be well-meaning. And these do not comprise any evidence. There is still a requirement for proving the safety and efficacy of CBD for cancer patients. It must also have been proved in randomized, large, & controlled clinical trials.
This is also crucial for you to note that some studies have shown that CBD might interrupt. It might interrupt how your body does the processing of cancer drugs which are popular as a drug interaction. This might in turn make the treatment of cancer more toxic. Or it can make it less effective. There is a requirement for more research on these effects. You must always tell your oncologists for these reasons if you are thinking to make use of CBD before you take it.
You might also be wondering if CBD is legal in your area. Some states facilitate the possession and sale of marijuana. It is inclusive of THC and CBD, for recreational and medical use. On the other hand, other states are having stricter regulations. So, you must always learn state-by-state laws before doing the transportation of CBD across your state lines. Things are even more complex at the federal level.
In addition to CBD oil, you can make use of hemp for making things like clothing and rope. In other words, you can have an understanding that no longer hemp is a controlled substance. It means that the regulation of it does not get done by the government. It refers that consumers have the requirement of doing the evaluate the quality & safety of CBD products by themselves. For instance, some CBD might possess much higher levels of THC than that is on the label.
If you are thinking to make use of CBD, then you must always consult with your doctor first. The reason is that the research does not yet provide support to the use of CBD in assisting cancer patients. Before doing consumption of it you must raise the topic with your doctor.