CBD for Cancer: Recent Studies & Benefits

CBD is an incredible medicine with a drug safety record like no other over-the-counter drug. So, many times, we’ve speculated whether it could help people with common diseases and mental disorders and dove to research, finding its potential benefits for so many problems! And this has led us to question, can CBD help cancer patients too?

Data from a 2020 report estimated that cancer burdened 1.8 million people just in the US, and killed 606,520 just in that year.

Cancer is the most known, common, incurable disease known to humanity. The disease has such a strong portrayal all over the world, the moment someone is diagnosed with it, it breaks them and their loved ones mentally and emotionally. And why shouldn’t it? Marking the date of the death of a loved one is devastating!

This article will cover some of the incredible findings and studies that show how CBD can be and is used for treating cancer, along with chemotherapy and other traditional treatments.

What Exactly is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease where certain cells in the body start behaving abnormally and splitting uncontrollably throughout the body. This unnatural growth spurt causes tumors to develop, which further leads to tissue and organ damage.

The underlying cause of this abnormality may be due to genetic mutation or breakdown of the “cell division” process. Cancer usually develops due to environmental factors such as exposure to carcinogens, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and aging.

It’s important to note that not all tumors are cancerous. Unlike malignant tumors (cancerous), benign tumors don’t grow back when they’re removed from the body through surgery. And while benign tumors look similar to the malignant, they don’t cause damage to the tissues and organs.

Can CBD be Used for Cancer Treatment

Yes! To our surprise, we found that cannabidiol can and already is helping cancer patients immensely! Here’s a summary of the findings from a recent 2022 study by NCBI.

It was found that CBD’s therapeutic effects can help alleviate cancer-related symptoms such as cancer-induced pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder.

Cannabidiol also reduces neural and organ damage caused during chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Both methods of treatment involve invasive procedures that may destroy healthy cells too. CBD is known for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which protects healthy cells during cancer treatment therapies.

In addition, preclinical trials also point to CBD addressing several pathways that cause the pathogenesis of cancer cells, which basically means it plays a role in slowing down the development of cancer cells, tissues, and organs.

However, please note that CBD is not an alternative medicine for cancer treatment. Only when this drug is used along with therapy, does it show the best results.

Here’s How People Use CBD For Cancer

CBD offers a multidimensional array of benefits for different kinds and levels of cancer treatments.

Reducing Nausea & Vomiting

Chemotherapy destroys cells that split too fast. But it also damages the cells in the digestive tract, leading to nausea and vomiting, which often happens right after the therapy or a few hours later.

To tackle this problem, professionals additionally employ anti-nausea medicines (like the serotonin receptor antagonist or CBD). In a British Journal of Pharmacology study, we found out that cannabidiol can effectively reduce nausea and vomiting.

Besides CBD, the doctors may also recommend diet changes, such as eating small and frequent, non-spicy meals to reduce this side effect.

Cancer-Induced Pain & CBD

All the cell damage from cancer and therapies can lead to pain from severe inflammation and nerve damage. And excessive pain can make the nervous system opioid-resistant. However, CBD’s indirect response to CB2 receptors can reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

CBD For Appetite Management

Cancer can cause anorexia, which is a condition that affects one’s metabolism and hormone levels, leading to a loss of appetite. Moreover, hormonal changes can also cause anxiety, depression, and stress, which can further influence eating patterns.

According to several studies conducted by “Psychopharmacology” and “The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology,” CBD can stimulate the appetite when taken in high doses.

Can CBD Prevent Cancer?

Cannabidiol’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can reduce the risk of certain types of cancers. Some studies also suggested that CBD may reduce the spread and slow down cancer cell growth.

However, CBD is one of the rare drugs that have a “biphasic effect”, which means consuming it in different doses can produce opposite effects!

Determining the ideal dosage for you can involve many factors, like your body weight, metabolism, and the conditions you’re trying to treat. We’ve explained how you can find your ideal dose in a previous article.

Here’s more information on CBD!

The Health Bitch