Marijuana for Cancer: Highly Effective or Glass Hammer?

1. Chemo strain

Sativa, Indica, or hybrid? The Chemo strain is a heavy Indica strain.

Effects: This potent Indica strain manifests itself as a heavy feeling behind the eyes and at the back of the neck. The Chemo strain then fades into a pleasant relaxing feeling which washes away all the pain and leaves the user feeling ravenous and sleepy.

Medical value: Because of its heavy sedative effects, patients seeking a break from chronic pain, insomnia, appetite loss, and nausea will appreciate the Chemo strain.

Time to use: Because of its ability to leave the user couch-locked and sleepy, the Chemo is best for evening use to enjoy dinner and a good night’s rest.

Bonus information: Rumor has it that the Chemo strain was developed to improve the side effects of chemotherapy.

Sativa, Indica, or hybrid? The D Cure strain is an Indica dominant hybrid with genetics from the Chemdawg D and Grape Stomper BX2 strains.

Effects: The D Cure strain expresses itself as a creeping feeling beginning at the back of the mind which suddenly takes hold and throws the user into a cerebral state of unfocused calm and ease.

As the mind settles, the body follows suit and succumbs to a heavy tingle leaving users couch-locked before realizing it.

Medical value: Conditions such as chronic pain, chronic stress, depression, nausea, and appetite loss are no match for the D Cure strain.

Time to use: The intensity of the D Cure strain makes it a great evening strain.

Bonus information: The D Cure strain packs a heavy high that hits both mind and body with almost unrivaled potency.

3. Brain Freeze Strain

Sativa, Indica, or hybrid? The Brain Freeze strain is a hybrid strain.

Effects: The hybrid nature of the Brain Freeze strain enable it to deliver well-balanced and strong effects.

Its effects are almost instant where the Sativa effects start as a very cerebral and focused high. Afterward, the effects begin to be felt across the body and that’s when the Indica part of the strain takes over.

This strain leaves users high for a minute or so before feelings of sleepiness take control.

Medical value: The Brain Freeze strain wipes out all feelings of nausea, chronic pain, joint pain, and stress.

Time to use: The Brain Freeze strain suits the nighttime where the user can peacefully drift off to sleep.

Bonus information: Cigar enthusiasts will find the cigar-like aroma of the Brain Freeze strain appealing

4. Remedy Strain

Next on the list of vexing symptoms caused by cancer is cachexia also known as anorexia or wasting syndrome. 

Patients drastically lose their lean body mass plus their appetite. In dire situations, cachexia may hasten death if not attended to.

Depending on the type of cancer, 50-80% of patients develop cachexia, especially those going through the final stages of pancreatic, lung, or prostate cancers.

It is thought that cytokines, proteins produced by the immune system in response to the tumor stimulate the wasting process.

Marijuana, renowned for its ability to stimulate appetite through “the munchies” is perfect to get patients eating once more. However, despite the possible weight gain, patients seldom recover their lean body mass and gain fat instead.

This property of marijuana has also been used to help AIDS patients reverse the course of cachexia.

On the surface, marijuana doesn’t seem nearly as aggressive or as potent as the alternatives for cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

However, scientific inquiries have reported that cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects through various mechanisms. For instance:

• Cause cell death or shrink tumors
• Block or slow cancer growth
• Stop the development of new blood vessels needed for tumors to grow (angiogenesis)
• Preventing the spread of cancer from the source to other parts of the body (metastasis )

Moreover, cannabinoids such as THC appear to kill cancer cells with no effect on normal cells and protect them from cell death.

An animal model supported this argument when cannabinoids induced apoptosis (death of cells) in glioma cells leading to regression of glioma tumors in rats and mice while protecting normal glial cells from apoptosis mediated by the CB1 receptor.

Further studies have confirmed that both CB1 and CB2 receptors may be potential targets in non-small cell lung carcinoma and breast cancer. Also, inquiries have demonstrated the antitumor effects of cannabinoids on preclinical models of breast cancer.

To conclude, CBD may enhance the uptake of cytotoxic drugs (substances that kill cells) into malignant cells. Similarly, both THC and CBD may enhance the antitumor activity of chemotherapeutic drugs as seen in mouse models.

Potential ways cannabis prevents cancer

Another study involving mice implied that cannabinoids may have a preventive effect against the development of certain tumors. During the 2-year study, THC was administered to the mice. And at the end of the study, the scientists noted a dose-related decline in the prevalence of:

• Hepatic adenoma tumors: a rare benign tumor that occurs in the liver.
• Hepatocellular carcinoma: the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer.

Additionally, there were fewer cases of benign tumors in other organs of the mice.

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is the name given to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the two main species of the cannabis plant— Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica.

It is also known in a variety of slang terms. For example, pot, weed, dope, ganja, hashish, grass, bud, Mary Jane, etc.

Marijuana has long been the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in opinions towards its use. It seems that marijuana is no longer just a dangerous drug, with many states legalizing cannabis for medicinal purposes and some even for recreational use. In fact, many nations are beginning to recognize the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis, following in the footsteps of traditional healers who have used it for centuries to treat a wide range of illnesses. It’s a fascinating change that could have a monumental impact on the future of medicine.

What is Cannabis (CBD) Oil?

Cannabis oil or CBD oil is cannabidiol (CBD) derived from the hemp plant. Its defining trait is its high CBD content and contrastingly low THC content which is usually less than 0.3%.

Unlike THC, CBD is the non-psychoactive compound in marijuana. Despite lacking a punch in the ‘high’ department, its anti-inflammatory properties make it useful in pain relief and improvement of mood.

Companies like InstacraftCBD have made a name for themselves by producing high-quality pure CBD oil. And since CBD oil is legal for purchase without joining a state’s marijuana program, it is more accessible.

Effects of cannabis (CBD) oil on cancer

As mentioned earlier, CBD helps stimulate apoptosis; the body’s natural mechanism of destroying cells which is absent during cancer development.

So, CBD latches onto the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system and ‘alerts’ them that there might be invaders detrimental to the body’s health.

Following this binding, the endocannabinoid system signals an antitumorigenic warning. And this warning impairs cancer development by inhibiting reproduction, metastasis, and tumor angiogenesis.

RSO Oil and Cancer

Rick Simpsons’ Oil (RSO) is a full extract of cannabis oil derived from marijuana meant to be taken orally or applied topically (like a cream or lotion).

The main difference between RSO and CBD oil comes in their THC content. As previously mentioned, CBD oil contains less than 0.3% of THC. Conversely, RSO has a lot more THC, usually above 20%. Additionally, RSO contains other cannabinoids present in marijuana.

Benefits of RSO oil for cancer

Since RSO is marijuana in concentrated form, it has the same effects that cannabis has on cancer.

For instance, the high THC content in the product aids in quelling nausea and vomiting in cancer patients while CBD contributes to the antitumor properties.

Is there a risk of an RSO overdose?

Because Rick Simpson’s Oil is packed with THC, the chances of experiencing an RSO overdose are very high. To clarify, a marijuana overdose is not fatal but the experience is very unpleasant.

Possible signs of an RSO overdose may include:

• Extreme anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Rapid heart rate
• Extreme confusion and memory problems

To mitigate the symptoms of an RSO overdose one should consume CBD oil (CBD counters the effects of THC), drink a lot of water, have something to eat, get some sleep, or chew peppercorns.

Best Edibles for Cancer