Cannabidiol commonly referred to as CBD, is one of the hundreds of compounds found in the Cannabis plant. Promising scientific studies into the health benefits of CBD have made it one of the most popular alternative therapies in the wellness industry.
The question is what CBD is good for? CBD products are commonly used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, pain, and even some types of epilepsy. However, there are still questions about how CBD may benefit cancer patients. Preliminary studies show that CBD is beneficial for cancer symptoms like nausea and pain. CBD is also being investigated as a potential anti-cancer therapy for certain types of cancers.
For those suffering from cancer, CBD may very well be a useful therapy in managing some cancer symptoms. However, it is important to keep in mind that quality matters when using CBD products. Look for products made from high-quality CBD such as strains grown from feminized seeds. Researchers indicate that high potency and high-strength premium quality CBD products tend to be more effective compared to lower quality products.
CBD may reduce tumor growth
Although studies are still ongoing, research studies on animals have shown that CBD can potentially reduce tumor growth. A 2019 study found that CBD may have multiple effects on tumors including reducing tumor growth, reducing the spread, and inducing tumor death.
These effects show that CBD may help in the treatment of certain types of cancers such as breast, colorectal, and blood cancers. However, there are no conclusive studies on humans yet and research is still ongoing.
CBD may help to relieve pain
One of the main issues that patients undergoing cancer treatment have to deal with is pain and discomfort. CBD can help in relieving chronic pain through its ability to bind to certain pain receptors in the brain.
CBD has been found to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) which functions in the regulation of pain and inflammation in the body. Mounting research evidence shows that CBD can be a useful therapy for cancer-related pain when used in combination with other medications.
CBD may help ease nausea
Nausea is a common side effect for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy treatments. CBD has been found to have beneficial effects in relieving nausea. There are already cannabinoid drugs such as Nabilone that contain a combination of THC and CBD that are FDA approved for treating nausea and severe sickness in cancer patients.
CBD has also shown beneficial effects in appetite regulation and may therefore help cancer patients who suffer from loss of appetite.
CBD may help treat mood disorders
Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders are frequently observed in patients suffering from cancer. CBD has been found to help in regulating mood disorders through its effect on serotonin receptors in the brain. Studies have found that while CBD may not directly boost serotonin levels, it does increase the brain’s sensitivity to serotonin.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is linked with pain, depression, and anxiety. This is why most people who deal with chronic pain are also more likely to suffer from mood disorders. Since CBD can help to increase the brain’s sensitivity to serotonin, it effectively helps to ease pain and regulate mood disorders. Some studies suggest that the effects of CBD on mood disorders are similar to that of anti-depressants but CBD has an advantage in that it acts faster than anti-depressants.
CBD may potentially prevent the spread of cancer
Studies into the effects of CBD on cancer cells indicate that CBD may help prevent cancer from spreading by inhibiting the development of blood cells that feed cancer cells. This may help in preventing cancer from spreading and reduce inflammation.
CBD’s anti-cancer properties are made more promising by the fact that it does not seem to affect normal cells in the same way it affects cancer cells which makes it a potentially safe therapeutic for cancer patients. However, there is no conclusive evidence on the anti-cancer effects of CBD in humans and research is still ongoing.
Outlook
CBD has potential benefits for cancer patients both as a potential anti-cancer therapy and as an alternative therapy for some cancer symptoms. However, since studies are still in the preliminary stages it is important to be aware of possible CBD side effects. CBD may also interact with cancer medication so cancer patients need to consult their doctor before taking any CBD products.
