If you’ve ever done some research on cannabis and its benefit to human health, you will most likely have come across some article or the other that claims that cannabis has been found to be effective for treating cancer. But does it really? Is cannabis really a cure for cancer, and what research actually supports this claim? Keep reading to learn more about the subject matter.
Cannabis and Cancer — What Does Science Say?
Numerous studies on the cannabis plant and its effects on health have found a relationship between cannabis and cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, cannabis helps manage various side effects of cancer and its treatments, including pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. It is important to note, however, that this doesn’t mean cannabis is a cure for cancer. This is because while cannabis has been found to be effective at alleviating symptoms of cancer and side effects of its treatment, there is not enough scientific evidence that cannabis can actually treat the cancer itself.
There are studies that suggest that cannabis possesses anticancer properties and may someday provide an alternate treatment for cancer. According to these studies, THC, CBD, and some other constituents of cannabis display significant potential as anti-cancer agents and could be used to help prevent and maybe even treat cancer in the future. However, there remains insufficient data to support these claims, and more research would be required before cannabis can be considered a viable cancer treatment. Therefore, while cannabis may indeed help improve and treat the symptoms of cancer, there is no scientific evidence (at least not as of writing this article) that supports it being a viable alternative treatment for cancer. As such, cannabis should never be used as a replacement for more evidence-based, traditional treatments for cancer.
The relationship between cannabis and cancer isn’t always a positive one, however. Some studies suggest that cannabis smoke contains carcinogens similar to those found in tobacco smoke. According to these reports, smoking cannabis could potentially increase the risk of lung and respiratory tract cancers. Research on the subject is still ongoing, and as of the writing of this article, there is still no conclusive evidence to support the claim. However, it is generally accepted that smoking cannabis is the most harmful method of consuming the plant.
How Can Medical Cannabis Really Help Cancer Patients?
Although there is little to no evidence that cannabis is a viable treatment for cancer, extensive studies have been carried out on the effects of cannabis on cancer patients. There is an abundance of evidence suggesting that cannabis can improve the overall quality of life of cancer patients by providing the following:
- Pain Relief
Cannabis has been scientifically proven to be an effective pain reliever. By interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, THC, one of the most abundant extracts of cannabis, can help alleviate pain, including neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage from chemotherapy.
- Nausea Treatment
Studies have shown that cannabinoids like THC and CBD can help reduce vomiting and feelings of nausea. A 2022 study, titled “The Effectiveness of Common Cannabis Products for Treatment of Nausea”, reported that after 1 hour of use, 96.4% of patients exposed to cannabis experienced a significant reduction in symptom intensity.
- Appetite Stimulation
Appetite loss is a common symptom of cancer. Since cannabis has been found to enhance the sensation of hunger and increase food cravings, a complementary cannabis treatment can help treat the loss of appetite of cancer patients.
Conclusion
So, is medical cannabis an alternative to traditional cancer treatment? No, it is not. There is insufficient data to back up claims about cannabis’s anti-cancer properties and how it may be effectively used for treating cancer. As such, traditional cancer treatments will continue to be the right option for treating cancer until more evidence can be presented that proves otherwise.
Having said that, medical cannabis still offers a ton of advantages to cancer patients. While it might not help cure cancer, it can help treat cancer-related symptoms like neuropathic pain from cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting, and appetite loss. It can also help improve sleep, anxiety, and depression, and help combat inflammation, benefits that’d certainly improve a cancer patient’s quality of life.
