CBD: a friend in the fight against cancer ?

What is cancer ?

Cancer is caused by the proliferation of cancer cells in the body. These cells multiply and eventually form what is called a tumor. Because of uncontrolled multiplication of cancer cells, the tumor grows, enlarges and destroys the organs around them. Over time, the cancer cells can break away from the tumor and invade nearby tissues. As they migrate through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, they can form another tumor that is called a metastasis.

Cancer is a disease that grows by destroying its environment and there are several types. The most common are lung, breast, prostate and bowel cancers. Generally, cancers are caused by smoking, exposure to the sun and chemicals, but also by genetic inheritance.

Depending on age, the area involved, and the stage of disease progression, a cure is possible. Some cancers have higher survival probabilities than others. The most common treatments are: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.

What are the effects of CBD on cancer ?

The symptoms of cancer

Cancer is usually accompanied by many side effects such as pain, anxiety, sleep disturbances or even depression. Some people have chosen to consume CBD in order to reduce all of these symptoms that interfere with their quality of life and healing process.

Cancer treatments often cause inflammation, nerve damage or even breathing difficulties. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory action, CBD relieves most of these pains.

Reputed for its relaxing effect that helps combat stress and anxiety, CBD promotes calmness, relaxation and well-being. While it's hard to stay cheerful in the face of illness, this cannabinoid stimulates serotonin production and improves mood in a gentle, natural way. As a result, it can help sufferers get through this difficult time with more serenity.

Stress and anxiety can lead to sleep disorders such as insomnia. In this case, CBD can be useful to facilitate sleep and regain quality sleep. Thanks to its regulatory action on the endocannabinoid system, CBD offers deep and restful sleep over the long term.

The side effects of chemotherapy

CBD is not a treatment or a drug. Nevertheless, it can help to better live the existing treatments that are sometimes very heavy because of the side effects. Most of the time, it is the side effects of treatments that have the biggest impact on the well-being of patients. These include chronic pain, nausea, and vomiting, which leave little respite for people already weakened by the disease.

In some countries, such as the United States, there is no such thing as a side effect.

In some countries such as the United States where medical cannabis is legal, patients can consume CBD to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and improve their quality of life. Americans use cannabis-based medicines: dronabinole and nabilone.

These FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved medications are intended to reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. In states where medical cannabis is allowed, some patients are even prescribed THC and CBD products, as a balanced ratio of these two cannabinoids would be even more effective.

Can CBD help fight cancer ?

CBD can be used to support people with cancer by improving their living conditions, but it cannot cure cancer. Moreover, CBD should not in any case replace a drug treatment, whatever the pathology. In case of doubt, the advice of a health professional is essential to start consuming CBD.

Although it is not yet used to treat, CBD is subject to new scientific studies that attempt to show the action of cannabinoids on cancer cells and metastasis. These studies reveal that CBD could limit the spread of cancer cells, even their destruction. CBD could also block the creation of new blood vessels to prevent feeding cancer cells.

According to the report of an English research, 119 patients participated in a study by consuming CBD oil at 5% for 4 years. Ultimately, 92% of the participants saw a reduction in cancer cell proliferation, as well as a reduction in tumor size.

Although CBD was not enough to cure all patients, the results are encouraging and the researchers are very optimistic about the therapeutic potential of CBD on this hard-to-treat disease.