Is cannabis safe for people with cancer?

Is cannabis safe for people with cancer

CBD, which stands for cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the cannabis plant. Some online forums suggest it as a different way to treat or even cure many diseases, including cancer. Some people with cancer say that CBD has helped them manage their symptoms and the side effects of their standard cancer treatment.

Here's what you need to know about CBD and what science says about whether or not it's safe and helpful for people with cancer.

What does CBD stand for?

CBD is one of the many chemicals made by the cannabis plant when it blooms. CBD doesn't make you feel high or change your mind like tetrahydrocannabinol, another chemical in cannabis (THC). The chemical that makes people feel "high" is called THC. On the other hand, some people use CBD to help with pain, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

CBD comes from a cannabis plant called hemp, which is grown with a lot of CBD and not much THC. Cannabis plants with a lot of THC are often called marijuana. CBD comes from the cannabis plant, which is turned into oil. Then, that oil can be taken in as a liquid, a capsule, a gummy, or vaping. It can also be used as a component in things like lotions and skin patches.

There is still a lot we don't know about CBD. Drug Enforcement Administration thought of it as a schedule drug (DEA). A program drug is one that the DEA has made illegal because of safety concerns about its potential for abuse and because it has no known medical use. 

Can CBD help cancer patients?

Studies are being done to find the answer. Some scientists are looking into whether CBD could help with some side effects of cancer and its treatments, like pain, insomnia, anxiety, or feeling sick. Other scientists are investigating whether CBD could slow or stop cancer from growing.

Some studies have shown that CBD alone or in combination with THC may help relieve pain, insomnia, or anxiety, but these studies did not specifically look at people with cancer. Even though no studies have shown that CBD eases these side effects in people with cancer or who are getting cancer treatment, some people have said that taking CBD helped with nausea, vomiting, depression, and other side effects. According to ASCO guidelines, if you live in a state where it is legal, your doctor may think about giving you cannabinoids to help with your chronic pain.

Is CBD safe for cancer patients?

People may talk about the benefits of CBD as a cancer treatment or as a way to ease side effects in online stories. Please remember that these personal stories, even if they are told with good intentions, are not backed up by science and are not proof. Large, randomized, controlled clinical trials are still needed to show that CBD is safe and effective for people with cancer.

It's also important to know that some studies have shown that CBD might change how your body processes cancer drugs. This is called a drug interaction. This could make treatments for cancer more dangerous or less effective. 

Conclusion

If you want to use CBD, you should always talk to your doctor first. Since research hasn't shown that CBD can help people with cancer yet, it's essential to speak to your doctor about it before taking it. Several clinical trials are looking into how CBD can be used to treat cancer. You and your oncologist can talk about the possible benefits and risks of you taking part in a research study to help answer some of the questions about CBD, such as whether it can reduce side effects or improve quality of life.

Back to blog