Can Weed Cure Cancer?

The medical link between cancer and weed dates as far back as 2500 years. This drug is believed to be an unorthodox treatment for patients suffering from cancer and those who have undergone chemotherapy. However, the medical world is still divided in its opinion on how strong marijuana’s cancer fighting abilities are.

It is important to first understand that cancer is not a simple disease. In fact, it is one of the most complicated health conditions facing medical experts today. This disease has a very profound and comprehensive effect on the body; one that is not only hard to treat, it is also extremely difficult to contain. For this reason, different cancer medications, including weed, have varying impacts on patients with unique characteristics.

So far, research regarding the ability of cannabis to treat cancer has concluded the following:

Apoptosis

Weed initiates programmed cell death. Cancer spreads in a patient’s body because the damaged or mutated cells stop responding to the body’s natural immune system. This means that while the body tries to kill these cells, it is unable to do so because they have become immortal. Active compounds in marijuana like THC and CBD are known to trigger a cycle of programmed cell death in patients suffering from various types of cancer. This process is called Apoptosis or Cell Suicide.

Halts Proliferation

Weed halts proliferation. Apart from destroying these cells, weed is also believed to stop the proliferation of cancerous cells in the body. It has anti-penetration traits that stop the cells from multiplying and growing into a big tumor. Therefore, it helps localize their presence and damage.

Metastatic Tumor Prevention

Weed prevents tumors from becoming metastatic. A metastatic tumor is one that has cancerous cells that can break off from the lump and travel in the blood stream. Such a tumor is far more damaging because its affect is not localized. Taking weed as a treatment for cancer stops such cells from traveling and residing in other parts of the body.

Anti-angiogenesis

Weed starves cancer cells. How does a tumor survive and grow? Extensive research on cancer has revealed that tumors develop their own network of blood vessels that transfer nutrients from the body to the cancer cells. This process of vessel development is called Angiogenesis. Active compounds in weed have anti-angiogenesis traits, i.e. they have the power to prevent the tumor from developing its survival network and hence, starve the cancer cells.

Pain and Nausea Relief

Weed eases chemotherapy symptoms. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are in a very fragile state. They suffer from intense nausea, headaches, insomnia, body pain and loss of appetite. Marijuana can be very helpful for these patients because it numbs pain and helps relax the body. Not only does it increase appetite, it also gives the patient a better quality of life through the recovery process.

While research has been promising, this is a particular medical vertical which requires more refined clinical trials in order to properly gauge marijuana’s ability to treat various forms of cancer.