CBD is one of the natural compounds in cannabis. This cannabinoid occurs naturally in abundance in hemp plants and is responsible for the rapid growth that the cannabis market has experienced in the last decade. The enormous popularity of this cannabinoid is mainly due to the large number of medicinal properties that it can contribute to our health.
Cannabidiol has been helping people to deal with different conditions such as pain, inflammation, anxiety, seizures related to epilepsy, among other diseases. But recent studies, and some still underway, suggest that CBD could have some practical applications to better deal with cancer and some symptoms resulting from its treatment.
This article will talk a little about CBD and cancer, the benefits CBD can bring to people who deal with this condition, and how to use and adequately choose some CBD products to treat cancer or related symptoms.
CBD and Cancer
CBD has been in the eye of the scientific community as there is evidence to suggest that this cannabinoid could slow or even stop the growth of cancer cells. Moreover, doctors believe it can alleviate some of the side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as pain, insomnia, anxiety or nausea.
Some studies showed that CBD could inhibit the growth of cancer cells in mice with lung cancer and colon cancer. Another study showed that CBD, along with THC, killed glioblastoma cancer cells in human laboratory cells. All the evidence suggesting that cannabis might be beneficial in dealing with some of the cancer symptoms led to the development of some synthetic cannabis-based medications. Doctors often prescribe these laboratory-made drugs, such as Sativex (Nabiximols) and Nabilone (Cesamet), for some patients who do not respond well to other conventional treatments to deal with some symptoms of cancer treatment.
Although the results of most studies on CBD and cancer are pretty promising, there are still not enough studies conducted on people with this condition to determine the effectiveness of some cannabinoids in treating this disease. Therefore, we still need evidence to corroborate these potential effects and benefits of CBD oil for cancer.
People should always consult with their doctor before considering CBD or any other cannabinoid as an alternative treatment for cancer to avoid adverse reactions in conjunction with other medications.
CBD and Cancer Treatment
Evidence found in studies conducted in animal models suggests that CBD and other cannabinoids could reduce tumour growth and induce tumour cell death without affecting healthy cells. There is also evidence showing that CBD may help increase some drugs’ potency to treat cancer.
Furthermore, a 2010 study on preclinical breast cancer models showed that CBD could effectively reduce the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells. Another 2014 study suggests that some cannabinoids, including CBD, show promising results in treating gliomas.
Either way, although some studies show the great potential that CBD and some cannabinoids could have in treating cancer, there is still a lot of research and a long way to confidently say that CBD is a safe and effective treatment for cancer. Thus, CBD should not be considered a substitute for other cancer treatments.
Currently, the relationship between CBD and cancer treatment is mostly symptom-reliever of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in some patients who do not respond well or have adverse reactions to traditional medications. Some of the chemotherapy symptoms CBD can alleviate are:
Pain: Different studies show that CBD could alleviate chronic pain and inflammation. In addition to this, a 2017 study showed that CBD could help with chronic neuropathy, which can be a side effect of cancer and chemotherapy.
Nausea: A 2016 study suggests that Sativex, a medicine containing CBD and THC, may ease chemotherapy-related nausea in the UK. It is important to note that the drugs are not the equivalent of CBD oil products. It is a fact that CBD oil can help with nausea, but these can be less efficient than prescription cannabinoid-containing medications.
Appetite: Some studies suggest that one of the side effects of using CBD could increase or decrease appetite in some cases.
Sleep: Different studies show that CBD can generate effects capable of prolonging and improving sleep quality in general. A 2012 study showed that CBD could increase sleep duration. In 2019 a study specifically showed that CBD could reduce anxiety and therefore improve sleep.
CBD and Cancer Prevention
There are mixed opinions regarding the relationship between CBD and cancer prevention. Some research finds that CBD can interact with the CB2 receptor present in the cells of our immune system and B-lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. This activity of CBD suggests that there could be a link between CBD and immunity.
However, other studies show that CBD may play a role in reducing the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer in humans. Other studies show that it could even cause apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells.
Nevertheless, we still need more long-term studies conducted in humans to exactly corroborate what role CBD could play in cancer prevention. In addition to this, we must point out that CBD oil or products derived from it may have a low percentage of this cannabinoid. Therefore they are more likely to be less effective than prescription drugs.
CBD Oil and Cancer Pain
Commonly, people with advanced cancer suffer from severe pain. Although there are opioid medications to treat this type of pain, in some cases, the pain is so intense that not even this type of medication can completely control it. This is why researchers are always looking for new ways to help patients with this type of condition.
In the UK, some people use a cannabis-based drug called Sativex to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Sativex contains synthetic THC and CBD, and while it commonly helps treat multiple sclerosis, it can also work as a pain reliever. However, a study showed that Sativex is not effective in treating severe cancer-related pain.
CBD oil can reduce inflammation and even has some positive effects on people dealing with cancer. But, considering that Sativex is much more powerful than CBD oil, we can conclude that it may not be efficient to treat severe pain since the CBD concentration of this type of oil is usually between 1% to 5%.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Cancer
Humans have used CBD and other cannabinoids and natural compounds found in cannabis as medicine since time immemorial. The reason is that the natural compounds in cannabis, such as flavonoid terpenes and especially cannabinoids, can provide a broad spectrum of health benefits to humans.
For some years now, cannabinoids have drawn the scientific community’s attention due to the possible benefits they could offer to people with cancer. Results from various laboratory and animal model studies show that some cannabinoids, including CBD, could:
- Induce apoptosis or death of cancer cells.
- Stop the development of blood vessels necessary for tumour growth.
- Block harmful cell growth.
- Reduce inflammation in general.
- Stop the proliferation and invasion of some types of cancer.
In addition to this, cannabinoids have undoubtedly been of help to many patients dealing with the symptoms of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or signs of advanced cancer.
Despite these findings and the opinions of scientists worldwide, there is still a convergence of views as many studies show contrasting results. For example, there is evidence to the contrary suggesting that in some cases, certain cannabinoids could damage blood vessels and even stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Either way, we need more studies to completely deny or confirm the role that CBD, CBD oil, or derived products could have in the treatment of cancer or the symptoms of its treatment.
Where to Buy CBD Oil for Cancer?
Although manufacturers haven’t specifically designed CBD oil for cancer, you can certainly use the benefits that this wonderful cannabinoid can bring to help you better deal with cancer symptoms or its treatment.
CBD oil is a popular product that has only grown in popularity lately. However, this can work against you since there is so much demand in the market. There may be options of doubtful origin, low reliability, or not passed through the proper verification processes necessary to verify their purity. For that reason, we recommend taking care of yourself with CBD products that have the appropriate certification and have third-party laboratories test certificates.
Finding the best CBD oils and other derived products can be as easy as entering our online store and choosing from the extensive catalogue we have prepared for you. CBD oils can come in different strengths and presentations. So, take a look at our online shelf, and choose the type of CBD oil that best suits what you need.
Dosage of CBD Oil for Cancer
The dosages used for studies and research vary widely. There is no consensus on the right dosage of CBD oil for cancer as many factors influence CBD’s effects.
People generally respond differently to different doses of CBD, and there is also no universal agreement regarding the dose. Therefore, the ideal amount for you can vary depending on the condition you want to treat, how severe it is, factors such as previous exposure to cannabinoids, tolerance level, weight, and concentration of CBD in the oil, among others. However, we can recommend some suggested dosages based on user reports and preliminary research and studies.
- Intestinal disease: 10 mg per day
- Sleep improvement: 25 mg per day
- Cancer-related pain: 50 to 600 mg per day
- Parkinson’s disease: 75 to 300 mg per day
- Anxiety: 300 to 600 mg per day
- Psychosis: 600 mg per day
To help you choose the ideal dose for you, you can use one of the dose-calculators available on the internet. While the variety of formulas and strategies make it difficult to calculate the effectiveness of a dose, this online software can help you get closer to a more effective dose depending on your condition.
Moreover, certain products allow you to know precisely how much CBD oil you are consuming. For instance, fourfive CBD Oil Spray contains a table that lets you know how many mg of CBD you take depending on the number of sprays you consume.
Before trying any type of CBD oil or product, if you are dealing with cancer or a related condition, it is best to raise your concern with your doctor. It is better to understand the interaction of CBD and cancer well and how it can interfere with other medications. Moreover, understand the complications, side effects, and potential risks that can happen when including CBD in your treatment before doing so.
