How CBD Helps Cancer
As CBD, or cannabidiol, has become increasingly popular within the medical world and amongst the general public, many have begun to use its therapeutic properties as a way to better manage their cancer symptoms. It has been shown that CBD may help to reduce the burden of cancer related symptoms and side effects due to cancer treatments, such as nausea, vomiting, and pain. There are various studies and much anecdotal evidence that suggest CBD may be the next frontier in cancer symptom management, and can potentially be used to fight the disease. This blog post will go over how CBD can address cancer-related symptoms such as pain and nausea, and will also explore the potential for further therapeutic benefits of CBD on cancer. It will also address the use of CBD in animals with cancer. Overall it intends to provide an overview of how CBD can be used to ease the symptoms of cancer and its treatment, and clarify the future potential benefits of using CBD as a way to fight or prevent cancer.
CBD and other cannabinoids (such as THC and many others) are agonists. Agonists are chemicals that bind to a receptor in our bodies to produce a biological response. This may sound unsettling, but many of the substances and chemicals we encounter throughout our lives also act as agonists. CBD is known to act on various receptors in the human body, including those found in the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system, present in all mammals, is an important biological regulatory system responsible for neuromodulation, control of motor function, emotional responses, motivation, and homeostasis. While taking CBD boasts many health benefits, recent research has garnered significant evidence that CBD may be an incredible tool for managing symptoms related to cancer and its treatment.
CBD is becoming a commonly used analgesic by a number of people for various reasons. People have seen success using CBD to manage many different types of pain, including nerve pain, arthritic pain, and pain associated with menstruation. This makes sense as CBD has been shown to significantly suppress chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain. This is done through an interaction with α3 glycine receptors found throughout the brain, brain stem, and spinal cord. CBD can target these receptors to produce an analgesic effect by suppressing persistent inflammatory and neuropathic pain – making it a natural, sustainable, and effective alternative to over-the-counter painkillers. The analgesic properties of CBD can be incredibly useful for those dealing with cancer-related pain searching for an alternative to traditional painkillers. Read on for more information about how CBD can be used to help manage cancer-related pain.
However, it should first be noted that there are many further benefits to using CBD to manage your pain, as it offers further therapeutic properties that may relieve the burden of disease for those with cancer.Â
For example, there is also considerable evidence to suggest that taking CBD can be an effective and natural way to regulate nausea and vomiting (Parker et al.). CBD’s antiemetic effect can be extremely useful for those dealing with nausea as a result of their cancer, medications, or treatment. These findings are particularly promising, and further research may lead us to mechanisms to further maximize the therapeutic effects and potential of CBD. For example, preclinical research has indicated that CBD may be effective in treating nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients. Although there are medications meant to treat these symptoms, they are sometimes ineffective, leading some patients to seek a more natural and effective option.
Beyond its ability to ease pain and nausea, CBD may also help restore appetite, boost the immune system, and aid in sleep. Cannabinoid receptors exist throughout our body – this includes within our digestive tract, our immune system, and our nervous system. CBD may help to stimulate diet and through action on lymphatic tissue can help to strengthen the immune system. One of CBD’s most remarkable mechanisms is its anxiolytic, or calming, effect on the brain. CBD’s non-intoxicating yet calming effects make it popular amongst those with high levels of stress and anxiety. It is a great supplement to ease stress and can also be used to relax for a good sleep. Many use CBD to relax before bed and restore their sleep cycle. When battling illness such as cancer it is important that your body has time to rest and recuperate. Try using CBD before bed to get an extra restful and restorative sleep.
Using CBD Oil for Cancer Pain
The cannabis plant and its constituents have been used in a therapeutic context to treat pain since 2900 BC. As we previously discussed, scientists have discovered that certain compounds within cannabis and hemp plants , particularly CBD, are responsible for its pain-relieving action.
This can be explained by CBD’s interaction with our endocannabinoid system. The body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors within our nervous systems. CBD, a cannabinoid, interacts with these receptors to halt inflammation and prevent pain through the aforementioned mechanisms. CBD’s impact on the body goes far beyond these key pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects and is known to restore balance to the body and mind as a whole.
Research has found that CBD helps to reduce chronic pain by acting on the endocannabinoid system to impact receptor activity, in turn interacting with neurotransmitters and reducing inflammation. This, in essence, prevents pain through the halting of inflammation. An animal study found that injections of CBD reduced the pain response to surgical incision in rats, while another study found that oral administration of CBD significantly reduced sciatic nerve pain and inflammation.
One study on the relationship between CBD and cancer analyzed the effects of the administration of CBD, THC, and placebo on three participant groups made up of 177 people experiencing cancer related pain. These people had not felt relief from using conventional pain medications. Participants receiving CBD experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those in the study who received a THC-only extract.
Effects of CBD on Cancer
It is important to keep in mind that research on the relationship between CBD and Cancer is still in its early stages. A substantial amount of advanced clinical research – in the form of random, controlled, and double-blind trials – is required before we can fully understand how CBD may fight against or slow the progression of cancer. However, preliminary research is incredibly exciting and promising.
Some scientists believe that CBD has anti-cancer and anti-tumour properties that could potentially slow the growth of the disease. A few test-tube animal studies have shown CBD’s potential anti-cancer properties. One study found that a concentrated dosage of CBD induced cell death in human breast cancer cells. Additionally, a study found that CBD inhibited the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice.
More research is required before we can have a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between CBD and cancer, but we do know that it is effective for symptom management.
CBD and Cancer in Pets
As we know, every mammal has an endocannabinoid system and other CBD-friendly receptors throughout the body. This means that CBD can also be used as a therapeutic intervention for our pets.
Just as the disease presents in humans, cancer in animals does many things to the body that can cause incredible discomfort and pain. Watching your pet experience symptoms such as seizures, loss of appetite, and chronic pain can be disheartening for any owner.
Fortunately, there are ways that CBD can make their experience more comfortable. Many studies have found that CBD is effective at reducing cancer pain in animals and is recommended for breakthrough nausea and vomiting.
Interestingly, it is believed that CBD may be effective at managing cancer because multiple cancers express cannabinoid receptors directly related to the degree of cell deformation and grade of tumor. This mechanism has been suggested by various animal studies to be why cannabinoids may have anti-cancer and anti-tumor activity.
While there are many therapeutic applications of CBD for your pet with cancer, it is important that you get the right product. While CBD treats are a cute and fun idea, giving CBD to your pet as a liquid is the most precise way to measure out and adjust their dosage. It is important for the product to be organic and contain only negligible amounts of THC. You can request a certificate of analysis from a third-party lab for any of our products. It should be noted that not all CBD is created equally and we believe in only the best quality products for your furry friends. You can shop our pet product line for safe and properly dosed CBD oils for your pets.
If you are interested in CBD products for yourself, see our CBD Oils and Capsules.