If you've been around this industry, you've probably heard someone say cannabis is a cure for cancer. We're going to start by saying that isn't true, at least not according to current research.

However, cannabis does hold a lot of potential for aiding cancer treatment, from inhibiting cancer cell growth to easing the side effects of traditional treatments, such as chemotherapy.

Throughout this article, we will take a deeper look into cannabis for cancer and what modern research can teach us to help those struggling with the condition.

What is Cancer?

Our body consists of trillions of cells constantly growing, multiplying, aging, and dying. There's an orderly process to help break down cells, and when this process is inhibited, cancerous cells can spread throughout the body.

A cancerous cell is when an abnormal or damaged cell finds a means of growing and multiplying, even though it shouldn't. These cells will likely form tumors (lumps on tissue), and these tumors can sometimes be cancerous. ¹

When a cancerous tumor is formed, it can spread into (or invading) nearby tissue and form new tumors in other body areas. This isn't always the case in blood cancers, such as leukemias.

Cancer is typically a genetic disease wherein genetic changes can cause cancer. These changes may include:

• Errors of normal cell divide
• Damage to DNA (as seen from chemicals in tobacco smoke and ultraviolet rays)
• Inheritance from parents or other close relatives

Naturally, our body has a process of killing off cancer cells. But this process becomes increasingly more difficult as we age, which is why there are higher risks of cancer in older adults.

The difficulty in treating cancer is there are many different types, each of which is formed by different types of cells. The most common types of cancer include:

• Brain and spinal cord tumors
• Carcinoma
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Sarcoma

While cannabis has an overall ability to aid in treating each of these, its reaction to different types of cancer varies. This is why we don't have too many solid answers for cannabis for cancer - with varying types of cancer; we need specific research that has yet to occur.

Cannabis for Cancer: How Can it Help?

As of this time, research concerning cannabis for cancer is pretty slim. We can only say two things for certain:

1. Certain cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
   
   
2. Some marijuana products have been found to relieve the side effects of traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy.

The most notable of these two is the first point, as future research may find cannabis a substantial treatment for cancer patients.

However, THC and CBD's ability to inhibit cancer cells has only been observed in Petri dishes. ² It remains unclear how much interaction exists between cancer cells and cannabis within the human body. We also don't know which consumption methods (i.e., smoking, edibles) are most effective in reducing cancer cells.

What Does the Research Say?

In the meantime, current medical research suggests cannabis may provide substantial relief from traditional cancer treatments - most notably, chemotherapy. This research is as follows:

• Several studies reveal that smoking marijuana can help relieve nausea and vomiting in those going through cancer chemotherapy. ³
  
  
• Some studies suggest that inhaling marijuana can also help treat neuropathic pain (a type of pain generated by damaged nerves). ⁴
  
  
• Research suggests that marijuana consumption can help to improve appetite and food intake in those experiencing chemotherapy. ⁵
  
  

Combining this research with the fact that cannabis may also help to inhibit cancer cell growth suggests that the plant should be regarded as a high-quality treatment option. However, there are some complications in using cannabis for treatment.

Can Cannabis Be Harmful to Cancer Patients?

Cannabinoids (chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD) in and of themselves are generally considered safe for use in cancer treatment. However, how they're consumed has implications for harm to cancer patients.

Most notably, receiving cannabinoids through smoking cannabis. This causes the body to receive harmful toxins to the body - most notably, the lungs and throat. Many of these toxins are also found in tobacco smoke and are the same chemicals that cause certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer. ⁶

Beyond this, cannabis that contains high amounts of THC will produce psychoactivity (or a "high"). In turn, this can have unwanted effects, including paranoia. ⁷

Not to mention, some users report feeling mild bouts of:

• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Negative appetite and weight changes

If you are currently on prescription medication, whether for cancer or another health condition, you should consult a doctor before consuming cannabis. Certain cannabinoids have been found to have negative interactions with specific medications.

Furthermore, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you should stay away from cannabis altogether. THC has been found to have negative effects on a developing child, and they're currently isn't enough research into CBD to suggest its safety. ⁸ ⁹

Final Word

Cannabis appears to be a reasonably safe substance to take for cancer treatment, being that the consumption method isn't smoking. However, if you're considering taking cannabis for cancer, it's important to consult your doctor before doing so.

Again, research remains very preliminary, and we simply don't completely understand how cannabis interacts with someone struggling with cancer. While research is promising, we must approach this topic of conversation with caution.

Reference Sources

¹ National Cancer Institute (NCI): What Is Cancer? https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer

² Journal of the Association of Basic Medical Sciences: Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6387667/

³ The BMJ: Cannabinoids for control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: quantitative systematic review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC34325/

⁴ Cochrane Library: Cannabis-based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6494210/

⁵ Current Oncology (MDPI): Integrating cannabis into clinical cancer care: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791148/

⁶ National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What are marijuana's effects on lung health? https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuanas-effects-lung-health

⁷ HHS Public Access: Adverse Health Effects of Marijuana Use: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4827335/

⁸ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Marijuana and Pregnancy: https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana/marijuana-pregnancy

⁹ Current Pain and Headache Reports: Considerations and Implications of Cannabidiol Use During Pregnancy: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32524214/