{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/cancer/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3135-markdown","title":"Breathing Easier - Can Cannabis Reduce Inflammation Associated with COVID-19?","slug":"breathing-easier-can-cannabis-reduce-inflammation-associated-with-covid-19","content":"##When we've been through a tough time, we often say we can breathe easier.  And if something is straightforward, it's \"as natural as breathing.\" \n\nBut for many people, breathing isn't easy or comfortable. From chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD to the \"air hunger\" of a severe anxiety attack, breathing troubles affect both adults and children worldwide.\n\n Medications including bronchodilators, antihistamines and corticosteroids are often used to treat breathing disorders. However, research reveals that cannabis and other natural approaches could help you breathe easier without many prescription drugs' side effects.\n\n### Cannabis Compounds May Make Breathing Easier\n\nRecent research suggests that natural approaches, including cannabis, can relieve the symptoms associated with some respiratory conditions.\n\nStudies continue to reveal how the many compounds and terpenes in cannabis can benefit the health of both body and mind, and some studies suggest that these compounds, especially cannabidiol, or CBD, can make breathing more manageable too.  \n\nBut the situation is complicated.\n\nMuch of the Research on the respiratory effects of cannabis comes from studies that involve smoking – a favorite way to use cannabis.  Those studies reveal a [mixed picture](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425753) of benefits and potential risks for respiratory health.  \n\nEven though smoking cannabis is less risky to the lungs and respiratory system than smoking cigarettes, the process still involves combustion, which creates toxins.  Those toxins can irritate the airway and lungs, and over time, smoking cannabis frequently could make cell changes that lead to cancer and other respiratory illnesses.  \n\nBut some research indicates that smoking cannabis rarely, about once or twice a month, could [help to improve symptoms](https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/) of COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. \n\nResearchers believe that's because [CBD has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25356537/)   that could reduce swelling in lung and bronchial tissues.  THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound that causes a euphoric high, can also [play a role](https://www.honestcbdinfo.com/cbd-science/inflammation/phytocannabinoids-benefits-for-lung-disease/) in reducing the inflammation associated with chronic lung diseases.\n\nSmoking cannabis may have some contradictory effects on breathing. But there appear to be [clearer benefits](https://www.fundacion-canna.es/en/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-endocannabinoid-system-and-cannabinoids) from using cannabis in other forms.  CBD oils can be vaped or inhaled using diffusers or steam, which bypasses the risks of combustion.  Teas made from boiled or steeped cannabis leaves can also help to relieve congestion, reduce inflammation and support the immune system overall. For some people, even edibles and topicals can provide symptom relief.\n\nAlong with acting directly on the respiratory system, cannabis may also help some breathing disorders' secondary symptoms.  Many people with chronic breathing conditions such as COPD, asthma, and IPF also struggle with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.  Cannabis has documented [properties for reducing anxiety and relieving stress](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/can-marijuana-help-with-chronic-pain-anxiety-and-insomnia) that can also trigger episodes of dyspnea.\n\n### Can Cannabis Reduce Lung Inflammation with COVID-19?\n\nScientists are now looking at cannabis as a possible adjunct therapy for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Although research is preliminary, [Forbes reports](https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyearlenbaugh/2020/07/06/cannabis-may-reduce-deadly-covid-19-lung-inflammation-researchers-explain-why/?sh=42517a9b4d9d) that scientists are hopeful that it has \"potential for [reducing susceptibility to the disease](https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202004.0315/v1), and even discussed whether it could be used as an [antiviral medication.\"](https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/CAN.2020.0035) Most of this research is focused on cannabis derived from CBD, a well-known anti inflammatory and how it may treat dangerous lung inflammation caused by the virus.\n\nOne of the biggest struggles medical personnel face when treating the novel coronavirus is reducing inflammation caused by the 'Cytokine storm\". This [cytokine superstorm](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cytokine-storm) is \"a severe immune reaction in which the body releases too many cytokines into the blood too quickly. Cytokines play an important role in normal immune responses, but having a large amount of them released in the body all at once can be harmful.\" Previous research has shown that CBD can reduce a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to reduced inflammation, without many of the negative side effects associated with pharmaceutical medications under review. \n\n### What Makes It Hard to Breathe?\n\nBreathing is controlled by the autonomous nervous system, which is why we don't have to remember to take a breath consciously.  But the respiratory system that makes breathing possible is a complicated one with connections to the lungs, heart, and the central nervous system, so [there are many factors](https://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-diseases-overview) that can interfere with healthy breathing at any point in the process.  \n\nCommon causes of breathing problems include:\n\n### 1. Allergies, Infections and Viruses\n\n Wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing are often caused by allergens like pollen and mold.  Most of the time, these breathing problems are short-lived and can be remedied by avoiding the allergen or taking an antihistamine.  \n\nBut allergens can also trigger episodes of more severe breathing disorders like asthma. Likewise, viruses that cause colds and flu can also cause temporary breathing problems due to congestion in the sinuses and upper respiratory system.  \n\n### 2. Respiratory Diseases\n\nRespiratory diseases can affect any part of the system, including the airways and lungs. Common respiratory conditions include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of breathing disorders that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. \n\nLung cancers,  idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and cystic fibrosis are also respiratory diseases, as are acute conditions like pneumonia and pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining surrounding the lungs. Now we can add COVID-19 to this list as well.\n\n### 3. Neurological Conditions\n\nSome progressive neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and Alzheimer's disease also cause breathing problems because they affect the nerves and muscles that control the respiratory process.\n\n### 4. Dyspnea\n\nDyspnea is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause a feeling often described as \"shortness of breath,\" an inability to take in enough air when breathing, or a feeling of discomfort when breathing.  \n\nViruses, bacteria, and even medications can cause dyspnea and respiratory infections and some systemic diseases, including anemia. But anxiety, fear, and stress can also cause dyspnea.  In these situations, a surge of cortisol and adrenaline can trigger rapid breathing or a feeling of suffocation.\n\nThe causes of breathing troubles can range from mild and temporary to serious and debilitating, and that means many different treatments are available to address them. People with temporary congestion from allergies, a cold, or flu might get easy relief from over the counter decongestants and antihistamines.  \n\nFor asthma and other chronic breathing conditions, inhalers and nebulizers infused with steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications can relax airways and reduce inflammation. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/ee604/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png","srcSet":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/69585/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 200w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/497c6/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 400w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/ee604/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 800w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/f3583/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/58556/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/61e93/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 200w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/1f5c5/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 400w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/58556/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 800w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/99238/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3035-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Help With Hot Flashes? ","slug":"can-cannabis-help-with-hot-flashes","content":"Hot flashes are the bane of many women in their menopausal years. But while we most often associate hot flashes with older women, the reality is that these uncomfortable sensations can also be due to stress, thyroid problems, certain types of tumors or side effects from certain medications.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nTreatment is typically focused on hormone therapy, which isn’t a viable option for a number of folks. Meanwhile, lifestyle changes can sometimes, but not always help with hot flashes.\n\nEnter cannabis, which—according to recent research—appears to help ease the severity of hot flashes.\n\n### What Are Hot Flashes? \n\nHot flashes are intense feelings of warmth that aren’t caused by an external source. Hot flashes can come about suddenly, or the sensation can build up over the course of a few minutes. \n\nSome common hot flash symptoms are: \n\n* Sweating or redness of the skin, especially above the waist\n* A faster than usual heartbeat\n* Tingling in the fingers\n\nHot flashes that occur at night are also called night sweats. These night sweats are one of reasons why women who are going through menopause also suffer from insomnia. \n\n### What Causes Hot Flashes in Menopause? \n\nFor menopausal women, hot flashes are thought to arise due to hormonal changes with estrogen playing an important role. \n\nDuring menopause, estrogen levels fall. This can cause the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature, to go haywire and read a rise in body temperature when there isn’t one. \n\nIn response, the brain may release other hormones to help reduce body heat. These hormones can cause an increase in heart rate and the dilation of blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow, causing the body to sweat and cool off. \n\nHot flashes often have triggers. Some common ones are: \n\n* Spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine \n* Being in a warm room \n* Smoking\n* Stress and anxiety \n\nHot flashes themselves aren’t life-threatening, though they can be severe enough that they lower your quality of life. \n\nThere’s no cure for hot flashes. For menopausal women, the most common way to treat them is via hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which supplies the body with estrogen. And for women who can’t undergo HRT, other treatment options include antidepressant and antiseizure medications. \n\nWhile these drugs work for some, for others, they don’t work well enough or can have unwanted side effects like bloating, headaches and mood swings. And HRT can increase the risk of stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. \n\nSo, if you decide to go the natural route to help address your hot flashes, avoiding or managing them is dependent on lifestyle changes such as: \n\n* Limiting alcohol, hot beverages, caffeine and spicy foods\n* Lowering room temperature\n* Reducing stress \n\nAnother lifestyle adjustment that folks who experience hot flashes may want to consider is adding cannabis to their daily regimen. \n\nRELATED: [MICRODOSING CANNABIS FOR A MORE BLISSFUL MENOPAUSE](https://hellomd.com/articles/microdosing-cannabis-for-a-more-blissful-menopause/)\n\n### Cannabis May Be Able to Reduce Night Sweats & Body Temperature\n\nA case study from the _Journal of Palliative Medicine_ suggests that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that’s found in cannabis could [reduce the severity of night sweats experienced by cancer patients](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30759037).  \n\nResearchers retroactively looked at case studies of five cancer patients who all reported that night sweats interfered with their quality of life. After agreeing to take dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, all reported a positive outcome. \n\nTwo of the subjects said that dronabinol completely resolved their night sweats, while the other three said that their symptoms were less severe. It seems that once these subjects were able to manage their night sweats, other symptoms like fatigue and anxiety also began to improve.\n\nAll reported that they saw these improvements within just one week of starting dronabinol treatment. \n\nWhile this case report was small and has many shortcomings, it aligns closely with the anecdotal reports of many women who say that cannabis helps them [manage their menopause-induced insomnia](https://hellomd.com/articles/how-cannabis-helped-solve-my-menopause-induced-insomnia/). It also fits in well with animal studies that point to [THC’s ability to reduce body temperature](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2071615/). \n\nStudies in the future will have to look at a larger sample size. And double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials addressing night sweats in both cancer patients and menopausal women will also be necessary. \n\nPhoto credit: pixelheadphoto digitalskillet/Shutterstock.com\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana/) index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/14b42/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/f836f/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg 200w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/2244e/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg 400w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/14b42/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg 800w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/47498/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/0e329/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg 1600w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/7c918/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.jpg 3590w","srcWebp":"/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/58556/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/61e93/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp 200w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/1f5c5/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp 400w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/58556/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp 800w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/99238/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp 1200w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/7c22d/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp 1600w,\n/static/d67c2c0287069dedbdb5b93e08ee96af/b0b9a/94b219652bbeaf0ea2eb31a6c7b48c56.webp 3590w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3006-markdown","title":"Study Finds Cannabis Eases Cancer-Related Symptoms","slug":"study-finds-cannabis-eases-cancer-related-symptoms","content":"In dozens of states, people consume medical marijuana to help ease symptoms related to cancer and chemotherapy, such as nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness and pain. While research has backed up cannabis’s effectiveness in helping cancer patients find relief, high-quality, large-scale studies are still lacking.\n\nHowever, this is changing thanks in part to a major joint study that was recently published in the _Journal of Oncology Practice_. The Minnesota Department of Health and the Oncology Research Center at HealthPartners/Park Nicollet conducted the study and found that [cancer patients reported a significant reduction in their symptoms](https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/04/08/cannabis-eases-cancer-treatment-symptoms-health-minn) after taking medical marijuana for four months. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nWhile the results of this study largely confirm what has long been supported anecdotally, they’re especially important for a number of reasons, most notably due to the size and scope of the study.\n\n### Cancer Symptoms Ease After Cannabis Consumption\n\nThe study analyzed 1,120 cancer patients who participated in Minnesota’s medical marijuana program between July 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2017. These patients self-reported the severity of their symptoms in eight different categories, and the results were tracked over a period of four months. Categories included:\n\n* Nausea\n* Pain\n* Anxiety\n* Vomiting\n* Fatigue\n* Depression\n* Sleep issues\n* Lack of appetite\n\nRELATED: [STUDY FINDS 96% OF CANCER PATIENTS IMPROVED WITH CANNABIS](https://hellomd.com/articles/study-finds-96-of-cancer-patients-improved-with-cannabis/)\n\nResearchers noted that symptoms eased in all eight categories. While symptoms didn’t disappear entirely, they tended to go from severe to moderate.\n\nIn terms of pain relief, the findings were especially encouraging. Before taking part in the medical marijuana program, participants had a median pain score of eight on a 10-point scale (with 10 being the most severe pain). \n\nAfter four months of taking cannabis, this score dropped to 6.7. Additionally, at the start of the study, 25% of patients reported a pain score of 10, but after four months of consuming medical marijuana, this percentage dropped to under 10%.\n\nRELATED: [3 POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA AND CHEMOTHERAPY ANSWERED](https://hellomd.com/articles/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-chemotherapy-answered/)\n\nVomiting also decreased substantially. About half of the participants who reported vomiting said that the severity of the vomiting decreased by about 30% over four months. While side effects were reported in about 11% of participants, these were generally mild and tended to include:\n\n* Increased appetite\n* Dry mouth\n* Tiredness\n\n### The Scale of the Study Makes It Important to Cannabis Research\n\nThis study is hardly the first to indicate that cannabis can ease symptoms associated with cancer. [The American Cancer Society points out](https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/marijuana-and-cancer.html) that small studies have shown marijuana may:\n\n* Relieve neuropathic pain\n* Increase appetite\n* Reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy\n\nMore recently, studies conducted on cells in a lab have found that cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) can slow the growth of some types of cancer cells.\n\nRELATED: [NEW RESEARCH SHOWS CANNABIS INHIBITS GROWTH OF CANCEROUS TUMORS](https://hellomd.com/articles/study-finds-cannabis-eases-cancer-related-symptoms/)\n\nHowever, many of these studies have focused on small populations. That’s what makes the Minnesota study different: It analyzed more than 1,000 patients. \n\nWhat also sets this study apart is that a government agency helped conduct the study, in this case the Minnesota Department of Health. Minnesota’s medical marijuana program is unique in that it requires participants to supply more information than other states do. This enables researchers to better track the effectiveness of the medical marijuana program through studies like this one.\n\nMeanwhile, the study tracked eight different symptom categories, while smaller studies have only analyzed just the one or two symptoms. This approach gave researchers a more holistic view of the extent of symptom-relief that participants experienced. \n\nAlso, the vast majority of the Minnesota participants consumed high-THC products, with just 1% taking high-CBD products. This adds to the growing body of evidence that THC—not just CBD—has plenty of its own health benefits.\n\n### More Cannabis Research Is on the Horizon\n\nOf course, the Minnesota study had some limitations. For one, symptom-severity was self-reported, which makes the study prone to bias. \n\nParticipants also tended to skew towards those who returned after a four month period to obtain more cannabis. This could suggest that the study is biased towards patients who found relief with cannabis, while potentially overlooking those who didn’t feel that the plant effectively addressed their symptoms. \n\nMany of the patients would also have been taking other treatments at the time. It was impossible for researchers to determine when symptom relief was due to cannabis or whether it was due to other treatments. \n\nFinally, types of cancers weren’t tracked, so researchers didn’t have an opportunity to determine if cannabis was more effective at relieving symptoms for specific types of cancers.\n\nDespite these limitations, this study supports what many other studies have already found: that cannabis is an effective method of symptom-relief for many cancer patients.\n\nThe researchers are planning on following up their work with another study, which will analyze how cannabis affects pain control and opioid use in patients with advanced cancers. Preliminary results from this study are expected in June 2019.\n\nRELATED: [STUDIES BACK CANNABIS AS A WAY OUT OF THE OPIOID CRISIS](https://hellomd.com/articles/studies-back-cannabis-as-a-way-out-of-the-opioid-crisis/)\n\nPrevious studies have already found that [marijuana may be used as a potential substitute for highly addictive opioids](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28496355). Combined with cannabis’s effectiveness at helping cancer patients find relief, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this plant has myriad potential health benefits that we’re still only beginning to understand.\n\nPhoto credit: Atomazul/Shutterstock.com\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana/) index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/14b42/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/f836f/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg 200w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/2244e/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg 400w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/14b42/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg 800w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/47498/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg 1200w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/0e329/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg 1600w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/391cf/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.jpg 1772w","srcWebp":"/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/58556/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/61e93/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp 200w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/1f5c5/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp 400w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/58556/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp 800w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/99238/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp 1200w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/7c22d/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp 1600w,\n/static/8117f86fbbca61b367709f0245f3644e/edb99/cd13c7e8fb323e23e312b85bc2ac5ef8.webp 1772w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2994-markdown","title":"Emerald Cup Founder Tim Blake Talks Cannabis & Cancer","slug":"emerald-cup-founder-tim-blake-talks-cannabis-and-cancer","content":"Cancer has affected most of us in some way. This can mean standing helplessly on the sidelines unable to ease the suffering of a loved one or receiving a life-changing diagnosis. \n\nFor thousands of years, cannabis has been used throughout the world to treat a variety of medical conditions. Most recently, nothing has caused more controversy than the claims that cannabis can cure cancer—even as preliminary research points toward the potential for cannabis to kill cancer cells. In addition, anecdotal evidence from patients taking cannabis to successfully inhibit or stop the spread of cancer continues to grow.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nBut what’s the truth about cannabis and cancer? We reviewed the latest research and spoke to Tim Blake, founder of the prestigious cannabis competition, the Emerald Cup. Tim credits whole-plant cannabis oil in helping his body maintain the right environment to fight his bouts of aggressive cancer.  \n\n### Research Suggests Cannabinoids Have Anti-Tumor Effects\n\nMultiple studies are confirming what many cancer patients say: that certain cannabinoids present in marijuana provide an [anti-tumor effect](https://www.thedailybeast.com/marijuana-fights-cancer-and-helps-manage-side-effects-researchers-find). Following lab studies that showed brain cancer cells died when exposed to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), human trials confirmed these lab study results. \n\nWhen patients with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, consumed pure THC, [the number of cancer cells decreased in every patient participating in the study](https://www.nature.com/articles/6603236). \n\nNot every type of cancer responds to cannabis in the same way. And researchers are just beginning to study the hundreds of cannabinoids that may hold promise in combating different forms of cancer. \n\nFor example, a study funded by the National Institute of Health found that [cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits the growth of cells responsible for breast cancer tumors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20859676) and even limits the spread of cancerous breast tumors.\n\n### U.S. Cannabis Cancer Research Still Lags Behind Other Countries \n\nAs long as marijuana is a federally illegal, Schedule 1 drug, U.S. researchers will be unable to conduct full-scale research on cannabis and its effect on cancer. \n\nBut in other countries, researchers are discovering new potentials for cannabis-based cancer treatments. Canadian and Israeli scientists are investigating the use of [nanoparticles containing cannabinoids to treat cancerous tumors](https://www.cjnews.com/news/israel/cannabis-to-treat-cancer-israeli-scientist-thinks-so), so far in animal models only. \n\nPlus, an Israeli researcher is studying 50 cannabis strains and [the effect these marijuana strains may have on 200 types of cancer cells](https://www.cjnews.com/news/israel/cannabis-to-treat-cancer-israeli-scientist-thinks-so).\n\nCompare this to the U.S. where in 2018 there was just [a single cannabis farm authorized](https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/cannabis-versus-cancer/) to conduct the type of research needed to fully investigate the uses for cannabis in fighting cancer. \n\nWith election season on the horizon, cannabis-supportive voters should ask their candidates how they intend to push for more research on medical marijuana. From what researchers have already found, cannabis has the potential to not only ease suffering and improve quality of life, but also to possibly reduce the numbers of the one million people diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. every year.\n\n### One Cancer Survivor’s Journey With Cannabis \n\nTim Blake is the founder of the legendary Emerald Cup, the annual cannabis competition, which attracts 25,000 visitors. Tim has been growing, promoting and consuming medical cannabis for over 40 years.\n\nThough Tim has been interviewed countless times about the development of one of the most well-known cannabis competitions in the world, most folks don’t know he’s been living with aggressive melanoma for decades. A robust cannabis regime helps bolster his immune system, which in turn helps keep his cancer at bay.\n\n“My personal health history has been quite a journey,” says Tim, who’s in remission from two recent, serious rounds of cancer.\n\nFor someone who’s on the road as a featured speaker at cannabis events throughout the world, while building several companies and continuing to expand the reach of the Emerald Cup, it’s hard to imagine Tim ever slowing down. \n\n“I must admit I’m not so good at taking the advice of my doctors, who insist I have a stress-free life,” Tim says with a laugh.\n\nTim treated his most recent cancer bout in part using [Simpson Oil](https://hightimes.com/guides/rick-simpson-oil-rso/), a highly refined, extremely psychoactive cannabis formulation invented by Rick Simpson, who created his own formula to treat a relative’s cancer. \n\nRick has been cast as both saint and sinner by the media, the medical community and cannabis advocates. But for Tim, Simpson Oil bought him the time his body needed to create better conditions for healing. \n\n“This last round of cancer laid open an 18-inch gash on my leg. It just shredded me open. I was using black salve and Simpson Oil daily,” he says. \n\n### Boosting the Immune System to Help Fight Cancer\n\nTim’s last resurgence of cancer was serious enough that it prompted him to build a support team. He enlisted the aid of Dr. Gerald Cohen, who operates the Center for the Healing Process in Menlo Park, CA. \n\n“One of the things I discovered with Dr. Cohen was that I had three types of mold in my body: black mold, aspergillus and candida. I felt suicidal. My memory was shot. I had no sex drive. I had such severe vertigo that I had no equilibrium. After a battery of tests, I was told I had six months to live. I was in so much pain, I didn’t think I could do this anymore,” Tim says. \n\nA former physician to the Dalai Lama, Dr. Cohen put Tim on a regimen of herbs and made adjustments to his diet to create a less favorable environment for the cancer to spread.\n\n“I ate organic—chicken, Swiss chard, a few other greens and not too much else. Even more importantly, I quit all refined oils, gluten and sugars. Back in the day, no one knew cancer really kicks up when people eat a traditional American diet,” explains Tim. \n\n### Adding Cannabis to Cancer Therapy \n\nTim’s proximity to the movers and shakers in the cannabis industry enables him to meet growers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs who are dedicated to improving the quality and efficacy of cannabis medicine. During his last bout with cancer, he met Harry Rose, creator of the cannabis brand Rosette Wellness.\n \n“I met Harry after his products won awards at the Emerald Cup,” Tim says. “I feel confident in saying that he is the best manufacturer of cannabis tinctures in the world.”\n\nWhen Tim connected with Harry, he went all in, adding Rosette tinctures to his daily regime.\n\n“Harry uses an amazing whole-plant extraction process. He’s following all the Israeli research protocols, and the farms he works with in Humboldt County, every gram they produce comes out exactly the same,” explains Tim. “Harry knows every genetic component of every cannabinoid, and he came to cannabis because of his own battles with a life-and-death autoimmune disorder 25 years ago.”\n\nTim feels the addition of Harry’s tinctures increased the entourage effect that enabled his body to bring all of its healing resources to the fore. \n\n### Taking Cannabis to Boost Wellness\n\n“I’m currently taking Harry’s Balance Blend, which is a combination of CBDA, THCA, CBD and THC,” says Tim. “I believe that like many illnesses, cancer grows when there is inflammation in the body, so this blend, along with an anti-inflammatory diet helps to create internal balance. I’m a big proponent of THCA and CBDA.”\n\nTim notes that it takes a substantial amount of cannabis to treat an aggressive illness. “It’s not unusual for patients to take 500 mg of a cannabis extract daily. Harry is working to create 900 mg bottles, to help bring down the cost for patients.” \n\nTim believes that whole-plant extracts containing full-spectrum cannabis oils are far better for addressing health concerns. “People use watered-down versions of CBD that you find in the drugstores and wonder why it doesn’t work. They don’t work because they are a gimmick,” he explains. “I believe it takes cannabinoid balance, rather than a single-source cannabinoid to be really effective in the treatment of disease.”\n\n### Living With Cancer & Sticking With a Regular Cannabis Regimen\n\nTim knows he’ll never be cured of cancer. “It’s always there, so it’s up to me to create an internal environment that isn’t conducive to its spread,” he says.\n\nBut after about a year of staying on Dr. Cohen’s regime and continuing with Rosette tinctures, the aspergillus and black mold has disappeared from his system. The cancerous wound on his leg is closed, and his overall health remains dramatically improved.\n\nWhen he’s not helping produce the Emerald Cup or speaking before lawmakers on behalf of beleaguered cannabis farmers, Tim writes and tries to help as many cancer warriors as he can. \n\nHe’s made remarkable inroads encouraging cannabis consumption with his family, too, which includes retired law enforcement officers and Catholic priests—all of whom now take cannabis to help with a variety of conditions, including cancer. \n\n“I have a relative who was a police captain in the Santa Cruz area. He used cannabis to get through chemo. He said he couldn’t have gone through the ordeal without it, and after fighting it all his life, he now calls cannabis a miracle,” Tim says. \n\nOn any given day, Tim, who’s 62, consults with 20 to 30 medical patients asking for help. “Even now, in a legal state like California, it’s extremely difficult to find reliable information about medical cannabis, especially for free,” he says. “Very few people are willing to help out.” \n\nBecause of the enormous success he found working with Dr. Cohen and Rosette products, Tim feels confident in referring patients to them. He knows that the cost for such consultations may be out of reach for many people and has one simple recommendation: \n\n“If people could start out taking 30 mg of THCA per day, along with addressing dietary and immune system issues, I think just about everyone would notice significant benefits to their overall health.” \n\nHe adds, “My goal has remained unchanged from the time I first discovered cannabis—to make it cost-effective, and turn this community and planet into a thriving society.” \n\nPhoto credit: ElRoi/Shutterstock.com\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana/) index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/14b42/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg","srcSet":"/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/f836f/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg 200w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/2244e/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg 400w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/14b42/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg 800w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/47498/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg 1200w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/0e329/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg 1600w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/ffa36/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.jpg 1773w","srcWebp":"/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/58556/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/61e93/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp 200w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/1f5c5/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp 400w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/58556/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp 800w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/99238/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp 1200w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/7c22d/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp 1600w,\n/static/66c007ba18a3f8d653b84213047087aa/d1528/cc735f76efeb0ddd83193fb672d66374.webp 1773w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2766-markdown","title":"Study Finds 96% of Cancer Patients Improved With Cannabis","slug":"study-finds-96-of-cancer-patients-improved-with-cannabis","content":"In a recently released Israeli study, an incredible [96% of cancer patients who took cannabis reported an improvement in symptoms](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29482741). The study was published in the _European Journal of Internal Medicine_ earlier this year and looked at 2,970 cancer patients with an average age of around 60. \n\nThis is yet another piece of evidence strongly suggesting that marijuana is an effective and relatively safe way to treat the painful side effects that affect cancer sufferers.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Who Conducted This Study Looking at Cannabis’s Effect on Cancer Symptoms?\n\nThe study was run by Tikun Olam, an Israeli-based medical marijuana producer and research company. Tikun Olam started in 2005 as a nonprofit organization to advocate for safe and clean cannabis for medical marijuana patients. It then moved into developing cannabis strains. In addition, it now makes cannabis-based products including tinctures, concentrates and topicals. \n\nAll of its products are derived from cannabis strains that Tikun Olam has developed itself. You may have heard of its proprietary cannabis strain called Avidekel, a strain rich in cannabidiol (CBD) that contains practically no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). People who want CBD’s anti-inflammatory and other healing properties without a head high give the strain rave reviews. \n\nThrough international subsidiaries and partners, Tikun Olam’s products are available in Canada, Australia and even here in the U.S. \n\n### What This Study Tells Us About Cannabis in Addressing Cancer Symptoms\n\nTikun Olam’s purpose was to see how cannabis could help in palliative care for cancer patients. (The Israeli ministry of health began to allow cancer patients to legally consume medicinal cannabis in 2007.) It didn’t set out to prove the plant could cure cancer, but rather to see how cannabis could help those dealing with the painful side effects of the disease and primary cancer treatments like chemotherapy. \n\nThose symptoms that affect nearly all cancer patients and were mentioned by participants in this study include:\n\n* Insomnia\n* Pain\n* Nausea\n* Weakness\n\nThe study found the participants had to deal with some side effects from cannabis consumption, but they were relatively minor and treatable. These included:\n\n* Sleepiness\n* Increased appetite \n* Psychoactive effects\n* Dry mouth\n\n### This Study & Many Others Find Cannabis Allows for a Reduction In the Use of Opioids\n\nBesides the 96% who reported an improvement in their symptoms, Tikun Olam also disclosed that within just six months of starting a marijuana protocol, 36% of subjects were able to stop taking the opioids they were prescribed. A further 10% of the study’s subjects were able to reduce the dose of opioids they needed. \n\nMany other studies and anecdotal evidence point to cannabis as an effective pain reliever for people, so much so that they’re able to reduce or stop their opioid intake altogether. In fact, HelloMD conducted a study on cannabis as a substitute for opioid and non-opioid-based pain medications and found that:\n\n* 97% of those surveyed “strongly agreed/agreed” that they could decrease their opioid use when using cannabis.\n* 92% of participants “strongly agreed/agreed” that they prefer cannabis to treat their medical condition.\n* 81% of subjects “strongly agreed/agreed” that cannabis by itself was more effective than taking cannabis with opioids. The results were similar when using cannabis with non-opiate based pain medications.\n\nWe’ve all heard of the damage that potentially addictive and deadly opioids can cause. And marijuana as a natural, non-addictive pain reliever is an exciting prospect as an alternative to opioids—or even as an [exit drug out of opioid addiction](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-an-exit-drug-for-the-opioid-epidemic).  \n\n### How to Begin Taking Medical Marijuana for Cancer Symptoms\n\nIf you want to try treating cancer symptoms with marijuana, it may take some time to figure out what works for you. With all things cannabis, some experimentation will probably be in order to find the right strain, consumption method and dose that gives you the effects you’re looking for. \n\nIt may be helpful to start with the symptom(s) you want to treat and work backwards from there to find the right cannabis regimen. So, for example, if you’re having trouble sleeping, you’ll probably want to start with an indica or hybrid marijuana strain with a cannabinoid/terpene profile that’s known for promoting sleep and relaxation. If possible, you’ll also want to choose a marijuana edible, since this form of cannabis is processed through the liver and though it takes longer to kick in, its effects last longer—hopefully through the night for those with sleep issues.\n\nIf you have questions about using cannabis to help with cancer symptoms, you can head over to our [Answers](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers) page to post your question and a knowledgeable member of the HelloMD community will give you some expert guidance. You can also choose to [consult with one of our doctors](www.hellomd.com) or health professionals to learn more about how medical marijuana could help ease your cancer symptoms. \n\nPhoto credit: [Foto Sushi](https://unsplash.com/@fotosushi)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/14b42/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/f836f/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg 200w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/2244e/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg 400w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/14b42/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg 800w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/47498/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg 1200w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/0e329/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg 1600w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/11837/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.jpg 3621w","srcWebp":"/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/58556/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/61e93/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp 200w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/1f5c5/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp 400w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/58556/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp 800w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/99238/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp 1200w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/7c22d/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp 1600w,\n/static/1d906fe6c984cc2266e45fb50ec8a161/cbac0/95e3e9e7aca4d44a4a3fc8bad2ca574e.webp 3621w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2750-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Chemotherapy Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-chemotherapy-answered","content":"Some people claim that cannabis can cure cancer—but that isn’t true. What has been proven though, is that marijuana can help ease some of the symptoms caused by one of the most common treatments for cancer: chemotherapy.\n\nChemotherapy can be a single drug or combination of drugs that enters the bloodstream to prevent the cancerous cells from dividing. Some chemo drugs can also starve a tumor or otherwise cause malignant cells to die. \n\nUnfortunately, chemo isn’t as targeted as we’d like, so healthy cells are often negatively affected by the drugs, too. This can result in a host of unwanted side effects including:\n\n* Hair loss\n* Nausea and vomiting, which often prevent patients from eating enough\n* A weakened immune system \n* Fatigue\n* Aches and pains\n\nFortunately, many chemotherapy patients have found relief in cannabis. Marijuana can stave off nausea so patients can eat, and it can relieve pain. Cannabis can be energizing, too. But what kind of cannabis should cancer patients consume? And is it safe to consume marijuana during chemo? \n\nHere are our three of our most popular questions about how marijuana could help those going through chemotherapy. These questions were posted on our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) page and answered by knowledgeable members of the HelloMD community. If you have an additional question about cannabis and chemo, post yours on the site, and you’ll receive a thorough and helpful answer. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: Should I use cannabis before or after the chemo pill?\n**_I’m starting radiation and an oral chemotherapy this week. If I was to use cannabis should I use before or after the chemo pill?_** \n\nAnswer: [@drraisen](https://www.hellomd.com/people/564e05ec3618f90008000088/drraisen) I recommend to start using it at least a few hours before the chemo pill; and you may need to take repeat doses of medical marijuana before the dose wears off, in order to stave off nausea and vomiting.\n\nYou may have to experiment which dose and timing is right for you. A high-concentrate CBD (cannabidiol) oil has anti-nausea properties and can be vaped in a vape pen. Other ways to ingest medical marijuana are tinctures, teas and other forms sublingually. Your oncology doctor may be able to make a recommendation as well.\n\n### Q: Can marijuana help alleviate the side effects from chemotherapy? \n**_I have ovarian cancer._**\n\nAnswer: [@Danielle Lim](https://www.hellomd.com/people/59c02607064564000f877688/danielle-lim) I think cannabis is definitely worth a shot. Many chemotherapy patients find that using cannabis helps alleviate nausea and stimulate appetite. In fact, I've known some patients undergoing chemotherapy who are using Marinol, which is a synthetic, isolated form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). However, many of them find that use of the actual cannabis plant is better at relieving symptoms. Here is an article about nausea, chemotherapy and cannabis that may help: https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55a5842c6636300006510000/marijuana-shows-promise-as-a-treatment-for-chemotherapy-induced-nausea\n\nI have personally used cannabis to help nausea associated with PMS symptoms and car sickness (when I'm the passenger, of course). It is definitely my go-to when I'm feeling nauseous (that and ginger tea).\n\nRELATED: [5 MARIJUANA STRAINS TO EASE NAUSEA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5988e642f34c81379c4371ab/5-marijuana-strains-to-ease-nausea)\n\n### Q: I am undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.\n**_What type of cannabis will be the most helpful for pain, sleep, etc.?_**\n\nAnswer: [@mark](https://www.hellomd.com/people/55284b4a6262650003140000/mark) I am sorry to hear about your treatment. Cannabis can certainly be helpful for both pain and sleep. Rather than the type of cannabis, start first with a chosen method of application.\n\nFor sleep, I would recommend an edible product, and if you can, find one made with an indica cannabis strain. Edibles tend to come on slower and last longer, so may help to you stay asleep longer. There are several edible products designed specifically to assist with sleep. Your location will determine what’s available to you locally. I would suggest you find a good local dispensary and see what they carry.\n\nHere are some good choices for edibles: https://www.hellomd.com/products?category=Edibles\n\nFor more information on how cannabis can help with sleep: https://www.hellomd.com/search?type=all&term=insomnia\n\nFor pain, you might want to try a combination of an edible, along with a vaporizer. Vaping cannabis has an immediate effect, and so this could be beneficial during waking hours.\n\nHere are some options for vaporizer products: https://www.hellomd.com/products?category=Vaporizers\n\nHope this helps and best of luck with your treatment.\n\nPhoto credit: [Janko Ferlick](https://unsplash.com/@thepootphotographer)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/14b42/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/f836f/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/2244e/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 400w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/14b42/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 800w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/47498/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 1200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/0e329/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 1600w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/c88fe/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.jpg 3928w","srcWebp":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/58556/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/61e93/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/1f5c5/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 400w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/58556/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 800w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/99238/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 1200w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/7c22d/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 1600w,\n/static/f607e6534317819753a16dcfae2c4197/b90a0/a6f59cbea44161dbb5dd1c7bb97d2ade.webp 3928w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2723-markdown","title":"What Is Delta-8 THC & What’s It Good for?","slug":"what-is-delta-8-thc-and-whats-it-good-for","content":"When people talk about the effects of cannabis, they sometimes discuss the plant as if it were only made up of one chemical. In reality, each marijuana plant has hundreds of different chemicals, which include cannabinoids and terpenes. These all work together to create the effects we experience. While it’s a team effort, when it comes to both marijuana research and marketing, it seems like the only cannabinoids you hear about are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While these two cannabinoid superstars are both highly potent and effective medicines, there are many more compounds to explore in the cannabis universe. \n\nToday, we turn our attention to a cannabinoid that’s starting to grow in popularity: delta-8 THC. What is this cannabinoid that we’ve heard so little about? And how can we use it to improve our own medicinal marijuana experience? \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What’s the Difference Between Delta-8 THC & Delta-9 THC? \n\nDelta-8 THC isn’t the THC that’s so often referenced in the cannabis world. When people talk about THC they usually mean delta-9 THC, the highly potent and psychoactive compound that’s found in high quantities in cannabis (once it’s been activated with heat). When you smoke or vape cannabis, delta-9 THC provides the majority of the psychoactive effects, and many of the medicinal ones, too. \n\n[Delta-8 THC is an analogue of delta-9 THC—a chemical with a similar structure—but it has differences as well](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol). Like delta-9 THC, this cannabinoid binds easily to the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system. It provides an array of medicinal effects like relief from nausea, pain and anxiety, as well as neuroprotection for the aging brain. It has also been found to [effectively bind to the CB2 receptor](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10658595). \n\nLike delta-9, delta-8 THC is also psychoactive. Still, researchers say that it has less psychoactive potency than its analogue delta-9. It appears to offer a more clear-minded experience with less anxiety. In general, research suggests that [delta-8 has about two-thirds of the potency of delta-9](https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpt1973143353). \n\nUnlike delta-9 THC, which in some strains can be found in percentages as high as 25%, delta-8 THC is found in very low amounts in cannabis. Usually this only makes up about 0.01% of the plant. Still, when isolated in a pure delta-8 THC extract, the cannabinoid has some important medicinal effects. \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Nausea & Appetite \n\nOne of the most well-established uses of delta-8 THC is as an anti-emetic (nausea reducer) and appetite stimulant. In fact, there are already U.S. patents on its use as an anti-emetic. This solution is particularly helpful for patients undergoing treatment for cancer who often experience nausea. It has also been indicated as especially well suited for children. \n\nIn one study, researchers gave delta-8 THC to children ages 3–13 who were going through cancer treatments. [Those taking delta-8 THC were able to stop vomiting](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7776837) and had improvements in their nausea levels. Interestingly, researchers also found that these children didn’t experience any psychoactive effects as a result of taking delta-8 THC. While adults usually experience mild psychoactive effects with delta-8 THC, the children in this study seem to be immune from that particular effect.\n\nIn a similar vein, delta-8 THC has also been shown to improve appetite. One study using animal models found that [delta-8 THC improved appetite in mice](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15099912). While this works in a way similar to how delta-9 THC increases appetite, the study found that between the two, delta-8 THC was actually more effective as an appetite stimulant.  \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Cancer \n\nDelta-8 THC has also been researched for potential uses against cancer itself. One study looked at mice infected with lung cancer. Those who had been [treated with delta-8 THC for a period of 20 days actually had reduced tumor sizes](https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article-abstract/55/3/597/912322?redirectedFrom=fulltext) by the end of their treatment. Researchers also found that survival time went up when mice with cancer were treated with delta-8 THC. \n\nUnfortunately, little follow-up research has taken place after this important study was published in 1975. We need to do more research to know exactly how we might effectively use delta-8 THC during cancer treatment. While there’s much research left to do before we can confidently treat cancer with delta-8 THC, these results offer hope that this cannabinoid could be helpful in the ongoing fight against this disease. \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Memory\n\nIn addition to treating appetite, nausea and potentially cancer, delta-8 THC may also be a helpful neuroprotectant. This is an exciting advancement for those suffering from dementia and  Alzheimer’s disease. One study found that [mice treated with delta-8 THC actually increased their levels of acetylcholine in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3620017). This important neurotransmitter plays a key role in learning and memory. Because [lower levels of acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16273023), some believe that delta-8 THC has the potential to prevent, or maybe even reverse, this condition.\n\nAs with cancer, more research is needed to confirm these findings and develop treatment protocols. But there’s hope that delta-8 THC may become an effective treatment for dementia.\n\n### How to Use Delta-8 THC\n\nFinding delta-8 THC products is easier said than done. You can’t simply get a high delta-8 THC strain since the cannabinoid occurs in such low quantities in natural cannabis. There simply aren’t any strains that will give you noticeable effects from the delta-8 THC. \n\nStill, in California, and other western states that have well-developed cannabis industries, products with delta-8 THC extracts are becoming more readily available. The best delta-8 THC products are extracts that you can use with a vaporizer, or sublingual options which can be absorbed under the tongue. California brand Level has come up with a delta-8 THC tablingual\n\nEdibles designed to be eaten (rather than held under the tongue) should be avoided since delta-8 THC actually converts into delta-11 THC when processed through the digestive tract. Since delta-9 THC also converts into delta-11 THC when eaten, there’s no special benefit to eating delta-8 THC. \n\nIf you’re interested in consuming delta-8 THC for your medical needs, the best first step is to talk to a nurse or doctor with cannabis expertise. Your doctor can help go over your current conditions and let you know what cannabis options are best suited to you. Need to find a cannabis health professional? You can video-chat with HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors from the comfort and privacy of your own home. \n\nPhoto credit: [Brian Shamblen](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23972840@N04/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/14b42/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/f836f/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/2244e/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 400w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/14b42/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 800w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/47498/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/0e329/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1600w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/23f4e/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1860w","srcWebp":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/58556/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/61e93/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/1f5c5/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 400w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/58556/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 800w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/99238/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/7c22d/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1600w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/9f54b/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1860w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2671-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Help Defend Against Endometrial Cancer?","slug":"can-cannabis-help-defend-against-endometrial-cancer","content":"Endometrial cancer (EC), the most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S., is on the rise. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates 63,280 women will be diagnosed with EC, and 11,350 will die from the disease. \n\nExposure to too much estrogen is believed to play a major role in the development of EC, because it can stimulate endometrial cells to grow and potentially become malignant. Women who have an increased risk of EC are those who:\n\n* Use certain hormone replacement therapies (to treat menopause)\n* Have started menstruating at an early age\n* Never had children\n* Are overweight or obese particularly after menopause\n\nAll of these factors increase a woman’s overall lifetime exposure to estrogen. Women with endometriosis—a pro-inflammatory disease in which tissues normally found in the uterine lining grow outside the uterus—are also at an increased risk of EC. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What Role Do Cannabinoids Play When it Comes to Cancer?\n\nBesides the well-known painkilling and anti-emetic effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in cancer patients, there’s mounting evidence that these cannabinoids may inhibit in-vitro growth of various types of tumor cells. Animal studies also show that THC and CBD may impair the ability of certain types of cancer cells to invade tissues and metastasize to other parts of the body.\n\nHowever, the scales tip more toward CBD in the growing number of preliminary studies showing its potential to stop the growth and expansion of cancer cells.\n\nRELATED: [CAN CANNABIS SWITCH OFF CANCER?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a1362a0eea891000897e26a/can-cannabis-switch-off-cancer)\n\n### CBD Shows Therapeutic Promise With Hard-to-Treat Tumors\n\nIn a recent study, investigators from the University of Porto in Portugal tested the anti-cancer effects of THC and CBD in two endometrial cancer cell lines called Ishikawa and Hec50co. While Ishikawa is an estrogen-dependent EC cell line—meaning, it needs estrogen to continue to survive, Hec50co is able to develop other means of surviving without estrogen. ECs that don’t rely on estrogen to survive are more difficult to treat.\n\nResearchers also treated the EC cells with the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). AEA and 2-AG are compounds chemically akin to CBD and THC in cannabis. \n\nWhat researchers found was that the cannabinoids worked in various ways to kill EC cells. In estrogen-dependent EC, AEA and CBD induced apoptosis—a process of programmed cell death—by activating a receptor called transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1(TRPV1). TRPV1 is involved in the transmission and modulation of pain. Previous studies have shown that CBD’s action to reduce sensitivity to pain is through this receptor.\n\nThey also found that when estrogen-independent EC cells were treated with AEA and CBD, it resulted in a drastic cytotoxic—toxic to cells—effect, independent of TRPV1. Meanwhile, THC treatment didn’t have any effect on either EC cell line, and none of the cannabinoids had any effect on normal, non-cancerous cells.\n\nThe University of Porto researchers concluded that CBD and CBD-rich extracts may be more promising than THC for the potential treatment of endometrial tumors. These findings show that CBD is effective in inhibiting tumor cell growth regardless of whether the tumor needs estrogen to grow.\n\nOf course, more studies are needed to test these findings. However, this outcome suggests that CBD could have potential as a therapeutic agent for these hard-to-treat tumors.\n\nRELATED: [CBD: THE MEDICINE OF THE FUTURE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56c52e887c6109000800009a/cbd-cannabidiol-the-medicine-of-the-future)\n\n### Can CBD Be Used to Treat Endometrial Cancer?\n\nClinical studies are needed to determine the potential efficacy and dose of CBD as a therapy for EC in humans. It may be that CBD could be used in combination with current EC therapies to enhance their tumor-killing actions. It should be noted that at this point, there’s absolutely no evidence in humans to support women solely using CBD to treat their EC.\n\n### Should Women Use Cannabis to Reduce the Risk of Endometrial Cancer?\n\nCannabis may help protect against EC and perhaps other cancers by lowering inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation of tissues may lead to cellular DNA damage that could ultimately transform into cancer. This may be particularly relevant for women with endometriosis, which is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects endometrial tissues. Although THC wasn’t shown to inhibit the growth of EC cells in the University of Porto study, both CBD and THC are potent anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce inflammation.\n\nLowering circulating estrogen levels may also reduce risk of EC. Early studies in rats have found that acute administration of THC or AEA resulted in lower circulating estrogen levels. So, daily consumption of tinctures containing CBD and THC may help lower EC risk by reducing inflammation and circulating estrogen levels.\n\n### Other Ways Women Can Guard Against Endometrial Cancer\n\nKeep a healthy weight. Consuming an anti-inflammatory, anti-estrogenic diet can further protect against EC. Foods to avoid include:\n\n* Sugar\n* Red meat\n* Alcohol\n* Highly estrogenic foods such as soy and flaxseed\n\nFoods to eat more of include:\n\n* Green and other colored vegetables\n* Cruciferous vegetables\n* Foods containing anti-inflammatory and anti-estrogenic flavonoids such as green tea, apples and onions\n\nWomen may also want to add a specific type of seaweed to their daily diets. In animal, human and cell studies, which I conducted, an edible brown seaweed from the Maine coast called Fucus vesiculosus (aka bladderwrack) was found to have anti-estrogenic action and tumor-killing properties that can fight against endometrial, breast and ovarian cancer cells. It was also found that bladderwrack can effectively reduce pain and heavy menstrual bleeding in women with endometriosis. \n\nBesides regulating circadian rhythms and reproduction, melatonin has shown promising results as an anti-inflammatory, anti-estrogen and anti-cancer agent. Studies have also shown that it reduces inflammation and may help slow the spread of endometriosis. Because of its popularity as a sleep aid, a number of melatonin supplements are now currently on the market. \n\nIncorporating cannabis along with other dietary and lifestyle measures may help reduce a woman’s risk of EC, as well as provide other healthful benefits. That said, women experiencing any abnormal uterine bleeding or changes to their menstrual cycles should immediately consult with a physician.\n\nPhoto credit: [Ant rozetsky](https://unsplash.com/search/photos/ant-rozetsky)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/14b42/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/f836f/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg 200w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/2244e/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg 400w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/14b42/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg 800w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/47498/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg 1200w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/0e329/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg 1600w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/b56c7/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.jpg 3640w","srcWebp":"/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/58556/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/61e93/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp 200w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/1f5c5/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp 400w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/58556/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp 800w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/99238/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp 1200w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/7c22d/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp 1600w,\n/static/b686a007604f77b0e88189a5e82e2fcb/fe53a/597ce06999ab95f7da1d6d9be8251edc.webp 3640w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2618-markdown","title":"HelloMD’s Dr. Perry Solomon Talks Cannabis on the Radio","slug":"hellomds-dr-perry-solomon-talks-cannabis-on-the-radio","content":"Dr. Perry Solomon, HelloMD’s chief medical officer, sat down with Miriam Knight, host of _New Consciousness Review_ Radio, to talk about all things cannabis. In the hour-long session, Dr. Solomon covered a wide range of topics, including marijuana’s pain-relieving properties; why cannabis consumers should watch out for pesticides and other contaminants; potential drug interactions with the plant; and the studies Dr. Solomon is involved in to assess cannabis’s efficacy in improving various conditions.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nFollowing are excerpts from the interview. You can also [listen to the full discussion](http://ncreview.com/perry-solomon-and-the-cannabis-friendly-docs-at-hellomd/) on New Consciousness Review’s website.\n\n### Miriam Knight: I'm very curious. As an anesthesiologist, what got you interested in cannabis? \n\n**Dr. Perry Solomon:** I practiced anesthesia for quite a long time, and a mutual friend had [introduced me to] the two founders of HelloMD. And we … gave our first lecture, myself and [Co-founder] Pamela Hadfield, at a senior living facility in northern California called Rossmoor where they had already had a cannabis club, which I was surprised about. … [This] was over three years ago.\n\nWe showed up, and there was about a hundred members of the club already there and 80 of them had already had their recommendations for cannabis. And I quite frankly, as one of my first exposures in that medical orientation for cannabis and medical conditions, I was really quite surprised. And all of them had it for pain. They all used cannabis to help alleviate their pain, whether for chronic back pain or arthritic pain in the elbows, knees, joints or whatever. \n\nAnd I was just stunned that these people had such great efficacy or relief from their pain from using medical cannabis. And were able, as they all stated, to decrease or completely eliminate any opioid use. [Opioids] that they had been prescribed by their physicians. And they absolutely preferred [cannabis]. And said, “We are never going back to opioids” because it just worked so terrifically. I was amazed.\n\nYou mentioned I went to Columbia, had a traditional medical school anesthesia training background, and I was just amazed that it had that much proof from just these people that it worked. And then I did due diligence, reviewed studies. Of course, most were from out of the country because it's unfortunately difficult to do those types of studies here in the United States, but [they’re] still valid studies. And I said, “Well, this really works, and there's more to it than just people using it to get high,” which has been and still remains the stigma about cannabis to a great many people. \n\n### MK: What would you say to a patient who is in pain, but they're afraid of the stigma of using cannabis and worried about getting high? \n\n**PS:** Well, there's essentially two main components of cannabis. There's THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which essentially is the psychoactive effect of cannabis, or CBD, cannabidiol, that is essentially the non-psychoactive effect of cannabis. And so what we tell people if they say, “Listen. Psychoactive effects are something I don't want to do at all or as minimized as possible,” is that there are different ratios of cannabis with the THC and CBD. And so what we would recommend is for someone to take a higher ratio of CBD than THC, and to be able to titrate or to adjust the dose that they take depending on the results that they get.\n\nThat's quite frankly, one of the more frustrating things that physicians as well as patients come across in that there's such an individualistic reaction to cannabis itself that one size does not fit all. Doctors have the same issue in that they’ll say, “Take this one antibiotic and take it every six hours,” and they’ll know that if [the patient] gets it from CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, whatever, that this antibiotic is going to have exactly this amount of component; it will be reliable no matter where you get it. \n\nAnd unfortunately, cannabis still isn't like that; everyone's reaction to cannabis is different. So what works for you versus someone else who has the same medical condition may not work the same way. And so there is some experimentation individually that people have to do and be willing to do to be able to get the efficacy or the results that they're looking for.\n\nLike you said for pain or for insomnia, for example. Someone says, I have trouble sleeping. Well, there's two different parts. Do you have trouble going to sleep, or do you have trouble staying asleep, because there'd be two different types of cannabis that you use in each of those situations.\n\n### MK: What conditions is CBD best for? What should you look for when you're selecting a CBD product? \n\n**PS:** The DEA says that because CBD is part of the cannabis plant, [it] is still a Schedule 1 product. So strictly legally speaking, the shipping of CBD is classified the same as cannabis, anything with THC. That being said, there are companies that do ship all over the country CBD products, and you might find them on the internet, you might find them in a magazine or whatever.\n\nAnd the issue with CBD is that it depends where the CBD comes from. In other words, it could be plant-derived from cannabis itself and then extracted, or it can be extracted from hemp. So, hemp CBD and cannabis CBD are two different things. In other words, the CBD that's sold in the mass market, a lot of this hemp comes from overseas, and you need a large volume of hemp to be able to extract CBD. \n\nAnd so what has been shown to happen is in some countries, there are many pesticides being used. There's poison, there are fertilizers that are being put into the ground to make the plants grow. So, you have the plants absorbing all of that, the toxins and pesticides, etc., and then that's being shipped to, for example, the United States or wherever. And this being the CBD that's extracted essentially gets concentrated from these hemp plants where you don't really know how they're produced or what's given to them to help them grow.\n\nAll of those toxins and pesticides get concentrated into the CBD that you would purchase in a routine type of environment. So, anyone who gets CBD, who wants to purchase a CBD product, I would caution them to know the etiology of where they got the CBD from. … You want to know if the company says, “Yes, we grow our own hemp. It's in Colorado … and we do our own extraction. We do our own analysis,” thereby controlling what it is you're taking when you purchase a CBD product. You may be using it for inflammation, for anxiety, things that you want to be able to be able to use in a safe manner. But you know, I'd caution everyone to know where … the hemp comes from before they use any type of CBD product. \n\n### MK: Can you overdose on cannabis? \n\n**PS:** Nope. ... [Researchers have] tried overdosing animals, mice with cannabis, and they’ve been completely unsuccessful. I mean it would take pounds and pounds, and no one would be able to do that. So people have tried; it's called the LD 50, the lethal dose 50, and there just is no number. It's infinite because you would go to sleep or that's pretty much about it—meaning, you’d go to sleep and then wake up. But you know, there is no overdosing with cannabis. \n\n### MK: [Cannabis] does have a stimulating effect on the immune system, doesn't it? \n\n**PS:** It does. And there have been in vitro, which means in the lab, studies that [show] various types of cannabis can kill some cancer cells. Again, that is far different than saying it cures cancer in a person. It has been shown in the laboratory to have that effect and in some small animal models, but to extrapolate that to, and apply it to humans … for the person to say, “Well, I have breast cancer, and I’m on chemo, I don't want that. I'm just going to put this cannabis ointment on my breasts, and it's going to cure the cancer” and to stop [all other treatment]. I would say, “Please don't do that. And continue to see your physician about it.”\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/14b42/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/f836f/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.jpg 200w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/2244e/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.jpg 400w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/14b42/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.jpg 800w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/47498/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/7f945/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.jpg 1440w","srcWebp":"/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/58556/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/61e93/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.webp 200w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/1f5c5/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.webp 400w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/58556/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.webp 800w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/99238/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.webp 1200w,\n/static/d69692e81a7385c406e386eda5f1c4ed/ba24a/9d157e96146b78d34874aae662ac47a3.webp 1440w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2541-markdown","title":"Can Dabbing Cannabis Raise Cancer Risk?","slug":"can-dabbing-cannabis-raise-cancer-risk","content":"Dabbing has been around since the 1970s, but with the growing movement to legalize cannabis, it’s taking on higher visibility. Many claim it’s a safer way to consume cannabis than smoking is. That said, the methods used to create butane hash oil (BHO), the highly concentrated form of marijuana used in dabbing, and the high temperatures produced by homemade dab rigs [can expose users to high levels of a variety of \r\ntoxins, including known carcinogens such as methacrylein and benzene](http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2017/09/butane_hash_oil_releases_carci.html). So, is it safe to dab marijuana, or is it something you should avoid? \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n### How Does Dabbing Cannabis Work?\r\n\r\nDabbing is a way to consume a very high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that produces its well-known high. When cannabis is smoked, parts of the whole plant are burned, so that users consume not only THC but also non-psychoactive cannabis compounds like cannabidiol (CBD). Smoking also means you consume marijuana’s terpenes—the compounds responsible for the many flavors and aromas of different cannabis strains. But in dabbing, marijuana is processed using butane oil— a highly volatile, flammable solvent that extracts the terpenes. The result is BHO, which can vary in consistency from hard and solid to soft and waxy.\r\n\r\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDYiH61QvzQ`\r\n\r\nA dab of BHO is placed on a small surface called a nail, which is heated to very high temperatures to produce vapors consisting mainly of concentrated THC. The amount of THC can range from 50–90%—far more than the amount found in the natural plant. BHO can also have a terpene content of up to 35%—far more than smoked cannabis typically has. It’s this combination of high terpene content and high heat that means dabbing can raise the risk of exposure to carcinogens and other toxins. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [CANNABIS & CARCINOGENS: WHAT’S THE RISK?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a467d02100a820006562f42/cannabis-and-carcinogens-whats-the-risk)\r\n\r\n### Terpenes & High Temperatures: A Risky Combination\r\n\r\nTerpenes are organic compounds found in the resins of plants of all kinds. Because they play a major role in creating a plant’s aroma and flavor, they’re used in a wide range of products such as essential oils, lotions, cosmetics and salves.  \r\n\r\nCannabis has at least 70 terpenes. Many of them haven’t been well studied, so their effects are largely unknown, but [the most prevalent terpenes in cannabis include myrcene, limonene, pinene and humulene](http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsomega.7b01130). In different combinations, these compounds provide the unique scents and flavors of the many cannabis strains. In the natural cannabis plant, terpenes are largely nontoxic, but they aren’t inert. \r\n\r\nBecause they bind to the body’s natural endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and other areas of the body like cannabinoids do, terpenes are responsible for some of the effects of cannabis such as feelings of euphoria and relaxation. They also interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to moderate their actions on the brain and body—a mechanism known as the entourage effect. To enhance the effects of terpenes in BHO, some users even practice “terp dipping,”dipping their dab in terpene extract before using it.\r\n\r\n[When terpenes are  heated to high temperatures](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/heating-up-marijuana-could-increase-cancer-risk#1), either by burning natural plant parts during smoking, or by subjecting butane hash oil to extreme heat during dabbing, they break down. As they degrade, they produce toxins, including some known carcinogens such as benzene and methacrylein. And when a person inhales the vapor produced by highly concentrated BHO on a dab nail, those toxins can enter the lungs and bloodstream. \r\n\r\nDabbers claim that dabbing marijuana is safer than smoking it, because when cannabis smoke enters the lungs, it carries with it not only burning terpenes but also other toxic byproducts of combustion. But the high terpene content of BHO and the extreme temperatures at which it’s often vaporized can create a different scenario of risk. Researchers believe that [the higher the temperature terpenes are exposed to, the more carcinogens and toxins they produce](https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/09/27/dabbing-cannabis-oil-may-expose-you-to-cancer-causing-toxins/#10ea91606651). \r\n\r\n### Dab Rigs Often Have No Heat Control\r\n\r\nAs [dabbing becomes more popular](http://cannabisscienceblog.com/tag/terpenes/), so has the production of professional-grade dab rigs with temperature controls. But for most users, a dab rig is still a DIY project, which usually involves using a culinary torch or other high-heat source to heat the BHO on a surface that might be a literal nail or other heat-resistant material. As the dab is heated, it releases its high-THC, high-terpene vapors that users inhale.\r\n\r\nBecause homemade dab rigs have no thermostat, it’s virtually impossible to control the temperature—and temperatures on the nail of these setups can reach as high as 900F—far out of the recommended “safety zone” of around 500 to 610F, before toxins begin to be released. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [WHY DO SOME PATIENTS DAB MEDICAL MARIJUANA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a4fd8fc100a820006562f52/why-do-some-patients-dab-medical-marijuana)\r\n\r\n### Butane Can Be Risky, Too\r\n\r\nBHO is the most common kind of cannabis extract used in dabbing. As its name indicates, BHO is created by a process that involves using highly flammable n-Butane, a solvent that’s also used in disposable cigarette lighters and a variety of other petroleum products. That strips out the cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in the highly concentrated oil. \r\n\r\nBut if the butane is poorly processed, it can leave behind toxic residues that are also inhaled when a dab is heated. Now, as commercial processors are producing more and safer cannabis products of all kinds, it’s possible to buy safer versions of butane-processed BHO in some cannabis-friendly states, but in most cases users are still making BHO at home, raising the risk of exposure to butane toxins along with the products of terpenes heated to high temperatures when dabbing cannabis.\r\n\r\nRELATED: [UNDERSTANDING CANNABIS CONCENTRATES & HOW TO USE THEM](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a3ab570100a820006562f30/understanding-cannabis-concentrates-and-how-to-use-them)\r\n\r\nThe popularity of dabbing comes from its ability to deliver a very concentrated, very potent form of THC along with the effects of far larger amounts of terpenes than in the natural cannabis plant. Dabbing involves inhaling rather than smoking, so this way of consuming cannabis reduces the risk of exposure to carcinogens produced by combustion. But if consumers aren’t careful, the high temperatures of many dab rigs can turn those beneficial terpenes into toxins.\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/7a96f/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png","srcSet":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/69585/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png 200w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/497c6/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png 400w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/7a96f/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png 793w","srcWebp":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/72119/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/61e93/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp 200w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/1f5c5/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp 400w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/72119/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp 793w","sizes":"(max-width: 793px) 100vw, 793px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2516-markdown","title":"Cannabis & Carcinogens: What’s the Risk?","slug":"cannabis-and-carcinogens-whats-the-risk","content":"Can using cannabis raise your risk of cancer? Many anti-drug campaigns and mainstream medical experts say that it can, adding that warning to the long list of reasons why cannabis is a dangerous drug capable of destroying lives. But marijuana consumers and advocates say that those claims are either overblown or downright false. Who’s right? \n\nThe cannabis plant contains more than 400 individual compounds. Most of these haven’t been separately studied, but so far [none have been shown to be intrinsically carcinogenic](http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/07/25/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-the-evidence-so-far/). However, the best-known cannabis compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), appear to have both anti-carcinogenic and tumor-promoting properties. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nNumerous studies on the health benefits of cannabis reveal that CBD can have an inhibiting effect on cancer cells, particularly in the lungs, breast, prostate and brain, while high doses of THC can trigger cancerous cell changes in some tissues. But the controversy over whether cannabis can cause cancer really relates not to the plant in its natural state, but to the ways people consume it: by smoking, eating or inhaling its vapors.\n\n### Is Smoking Marijuana Riskier Than Smoking Tobacco?\n\nThough edibles and other ways of using cannabis are grabbing ever bigger shares of the growing medical cannabis market, many people still consume it the old-fashioned way: by smoking. For that reason, much of the research and discussion around the issue of cannabis and cancer risk are concerned with smoking the plant, and how that compares to smoking cigarettes containing nicotine and tar. Recent research suggests that aside from the fact that both can be lit, burned and inhaled, marijuana and tobacco really aren’t equivalent.\n\nWhen materials of any kind are burned, combustion causes the release of toxins that can be inhaled along with the smoke. Some of these, such as benzene, are carcinogens that can damage various organs, especially the lungs. That’s true for both tobacco cigarettes and for cannabis joints, so simply [smoking cannabis can expose someone to the carcinogens that come with combustion](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56cba036cecb1b0008000088/marijuana-and-your-lungs-should-you-be-worried), just like smoking cigarettes would do. The question is: How much is that exposure?\n\n### Can We Trust the Studies?\n\nA few years ago, the British Lung Foundation claimed that [smoking marijuana is up to 20 times more likely to cause lung cancer than tobacco](https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/matters-of-substance/august-2012/cannabis-20-times-more-carcinogenic-than-tobacco/). The DEA, in a piece warning of the harmful effects of marijuana, also reported that [when burned, cannabis releases up to 70% more carcinogenic gases than tobacco](https://www.dea.gov/pubs/pressrel/pr042605.html?_ga=2.57028714.1178403058.1508089606-1310698703.1507934028), and that the risk of exposure to these toxins is greater when smoking marijuana because smokers typically inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs longer. \n\nBut a number of studies, including one recently published in the _Harm Reduction Journal_, \npoint out that [statistics like these are misleading at best](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/). Cannabis and nicotine behave differently in the body, so the cancer risk from exposure to equivalent levels of carcinogens rises in the presence of nicotine, but falls in the presence of cannabinoids.\n\n### How Our Bodies React to Nicotine & Cannabis\n\nThe human body has many natural receptors for nicotine. These receptors can have some protective functions such as preventing damage to brain cells from beta amyloid plaque that causes Alzheimer’s disease. But many nicotine receptors exist in the epithelial cells that line the respiratory system, and that makes these cells especially vulnerable to damage from toxins created by burning tobacco.\n\nThe body also has an extensive network of naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors, which are found in many organs and tissues—but not in the respiratory epithelial cells. This, researchers say, probably explains why tobacco smoke can be demonstrably linked to cancers, but not cannabis. What’s more, cannabinoids can support processes that lead to the death of cancer cells. \n\nSo yes, there’s an overall risk that comes from inhaling hot gases and particulates, but smoking cannabis may present less of a cancer risk than smoking tobacco, while getting the many health benefits of cannabinoids. \n\nRELATED: [IS MARIJUANA RIGHT FOR YOU?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/is-marijuana-right-for-you)\n\n\n### Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking Marijuana?\n\nVaping has been hailed as a safer way to “smoke” without the toxins that come from burning cannabis, and in general it can be—but that depends on the method of delivery. Some cannabis oils contain ingredients that also can release toxins and irritate the respiratory system when inhaled, and vaping at very high temperatures can also cause the release of harmful toxins.\n\n### What About Edibles?\n\nThe legalization of marijuana in many U.S. states and around the world has opened the door to [new ways of consuming cannabis that don’t involve smoking](https://www.livescience.com/24714-marijuana-edibles-colorado-washington.html), from artful edibles blended with chocolate and raspberry to candy bars, sodas and teas. But the cannabis plant itself contains no documented carcinogens, so the risk of cancer from eating cannabis is negligible, although other ingredients added to edibles could carry their own cancer risks.\n\n### Dabbing: Unsafe at High Temperatures\n\nAnother new way to consume cannabis is dabbing—heating highly concentrated pieces or dabs of extracted cannabis oil on a “nail,” a metal or glass compartment capable of reaching very high temperatures, and inhaling the vapors. Of all the ways people consume cannabis, dabbing can pose the [highest risk of exposure to carcinogens](https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/09/27/dabbing-cannabis-oil-may-expose-you-to-cancer-causing-toxins/#10ea91606651) if not done with caution.\n\nThe form of cannabis typically used in dabbing is butane hash oil, or BHO, a potent cannabis concentrate created by extracting cannabis oil using the highly flammable (and toxic) N-Butane. When placed on the nail of a dab rig and heated, the oil releases a potent vapor high in THC. Temperatures on a nail can exceed 900 F—and it’s that intense heat that exposes consumers \nto [high concentrations of chemicals](http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2017/09/butane_hash_oil_releases_carci.html) that include the known carcinogens benzene and methacrylein.\n\nHeating dabs at lower temperatures (at or below 700F, say consumers) lowers risk considerably, but many dabbing rigs don’t have the temperature controls that make it possible to monitor heating levels. \n\nCannabis is a plant rich in compounds with the potential to affect processes in the human body, including the development of cancer, and scientists are still working to understand how those compounds limit or promote the growth of cancer cells. For now, the known risks of cancer from cannabis relate more to how it’s consumed than to the plant itself—and consumers can take steps to reduce those risks.\n\nPhoto credit: [Itay Kabalo](https://unsplash.com/@itaykabalo)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/14b42/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/f836f/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/2244e/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 400w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/14b42/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 800w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/47498/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 1200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/0e329/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 1600w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/2e21c/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 3632w","srcWebp":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/58556/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/61e93/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/1f5c5/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 400w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/58556/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 800w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/99238/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 1200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/7c22d/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 1600w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/46715/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 3632w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2449-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Switch Off Cancer? ","slug":"can-cannabis-switch-off-cancer","content":"In 1993, the 25,000-year-old mummy of a woman was discovered in Siberia. Analyses of the body revealed that this woman, dubbed the “Siberian Ice Maiden,” suffered from metastatic breast cancer. Among the [artifacts found with her body was a small bag of cannabis](http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/did-ancient-siberian-princess-use-cannabis-cope-breast-cancer-002207). While it can’t be proven that she used cannabis to relieve her symptoms or cure her disease, the discovery points to the enduring link between marijuana and cancer—and scientists are now beginning to unravel just what that link may be.  \n\nRecent research in fields such as immunology (the study of the immune system) and epigenetics (the study of the switching mechanisms that suppress or express the coding of a given gene) is providing new insights about how cancer itself develops—and these studies reveal the complex ways in which cannabis compounds interact with the switching mechanisms of genes and cells to influence the development of tumors.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### New Approaches Look to Prevent Cancer\n\nUntil relatively recently, standard treatments for cancer focused on removing or destroying cancerous cells with a combination of surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. Within that model, [cannabis has been shown to relieve the nausea, loss of appetite and other symptoms such as fatigue](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791148/) that are caused by those treatments.\n\nNow, though, the newest cancer research focuses on finding [new ways to deal with cancer by intervening in the processes that make it possible](https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq#section/_7), rather than attacking cancerous tumors once they appear. This research reveals that cannabis may have the potential to attack cancer itself.\n\nRELATED: [KICKING CANCER AND CHEMOTHERAPY SYMPTOMS WITH \nCANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n\n### T-Cell Checkpoints May Be Where Cancer Starts\n\nThis [cutting edge research by leaders in immunology and immunotherapy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/cancer-fighting-power-couple-tackles-mysteries-of-the-immune-system/2017/09/29/db52e514-810e-11e7-ab27-1a21a8e006ab_story.html?utm_term=.d3bb7b09d766#comments)\n identifies checkpoints at which T-cells, the immune system’s frontline fighters against disease, either activate to stop malignancy—or don’t. \n\nTherapies that target those checkpoints may be the most effective way to keep cancer cells from multiplying. New studies in epigenetics also explore the factors that can activate tumor suppression genes or keep defective genes, such as the breast cancer-related BRCA1 and BRAC2, in check.\n\n### The Endocannabinoid System May Hold the Key\n\nAlong with just about every other process in the body, the immune system is supported and moderated by the endocannabinoid system, an extensive network of cellular receptors that respond to cannabinoids for things like managing pain, calming anxiety and activating immune responses.  \n\nThe body creates its own cannabinoids, but cannabinoids found in cannabis, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are so similar to the body’s own that they can affect any process that the endocannabinoid system manages. So these and potentially other compounds in the marijuana plant may be able to [suppress the development of cancerous tumors](http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/07/25/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-the-evidence-so-far/).\n\n### Marijuana Compounds May Control Cancer Cells\n\nSo far, research has identified two endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CBD2, that can be activated by THC and CBD to trigger immune responses, cell growth and more. For those reasons, some studies indicate that these compounds may have surprisingly potent powers to act on the various checkpoints and switching mechanisms to cause the death of cancer cells and inhibit the growth and spread of tumors.  \n\nGliomas are a family of stubborn, aggressive brain tumors that can be difficult to treat because they often spread among many areas of brain tissue, rather than concentrate into a single, solid tumor. In over two decades of studies, researchers from around the world found that [THC can induce apoptosis, or cell death, in animals for certain types of glioma cells while protecting normal cells](http://norml.org/library/item/gliomascancer).\n\nIn studies examining the effects of cannabinoids on cancers as diverse as breast cancer and colorectal cancer, THC and CBD have been shown to cause cancer cell death and promote immune responses that inhibit new cancer cell growth. These cannabis compounds operate on EC receptors themselves, and on other processes that are affected by them to reduce cancer cell proliferation and cause the death of existing cancer cells. These studies were conducted on animals and on human cells in a laboratory setting. \n\n### Cancer & Cannabis: A Complex Relationship\n\nAlthough these and other studies indicate that cannabis compounds may play a powerful role in promoting immune responses that could lead to the death of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones, the relationship of marijuana to cancer is more complex than it appears. According to some studies, [cannabis appears to promote tumor growth](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15026328), not stop it. In others, [high levels of THC may interfere with the development of blood vessels](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4244489.stm). \n\nEfforts to come to a clear understanding of how cannabis alters cancer also depend on the kind of cannabis being studied and the nature of the study involved. While some studies use natural cannabis, others are based on FDA-sanctioned medications that contain CBD only. And some research is done on cell lines in a laboratory, while other studies are based on animal subjects or, in some cases, human trials. \n\nThese varying approaches make it difficult to determine what cannabis actually does about cancer. Regardless of these variables, though, more than two decades of research indicates that marijuana may exert a powerful influence on various points in the body’s progress toward developing cancer, and new studies are shedding light on the way those influences work. Cannabis is known to ease the symptoms of cancer treatment—but it may also be a potent weapon for stopping cancer in its tracks. As always, more research is required to study marijuana’s effect on the human population.\n\nPhoto credit: [Paige Powers](https://www.flickr.com/photos/paigggeyy/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  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