People buy marijuana online for various reasons, including recreational use and medical purposes. The most common therapeutic benefits are its ability to reduce nausea, pain, and inflammation. The components of this plant may also target cancer cells.
Cannabinoids, specifically THC and CBD, have recently shown potential effects against brain cancer. It targets multiple receptors in the body that lead to apoptosis or metastasis of the infected tissue. Although still in its preliminary stages, these studies show promising outcomes that can lead to additional treatment options.
Key Takeaways:
- THC and CBD inhibit tumor growth in lab animals by increasing the chances of programmed death and preventing them from forming new blood vessels.
- Cannabidiol inhibits the proliferation of cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis.
- Indica and Sativas contain the main components that can interact with the abnormal cells in the body and induce autophagy, apoptosis, and reduced invasion.
The Chemical Composition of Marijuana
Cannabis contains over 60 cannabinoids, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) being the two primary active compounds.
The Psychoactive Marijuana Component
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary component in cannabis and is responsible for its intoxicating effects. It binds and activates CB1 receptors in the nervous system that cause the euphoric “high” sensation.
Some other key points:
- Long biological life of 18 hours to 4 days
- Prevents the overall cell growth and spread of breast cancerous cells at very low doses (14 µM).
- Found to inhibit cell growth and proliferation in various types such as breast, glioma, leukemia, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, and colon.
The Non-Intoxicating But Therapeutic Cannabinoid
CBD is not psychoactive thus, does not cause intoxication. It does not have much attraction for cannabinoid receptors and exerts its effects indirectly by activating other parts of the endocannabinoid system.
Some other key points about CBD:
- Therapeutic actions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties.
- In leukemia, it showed promising results with a drug potency (IC50) of 8 µM. It is even better when combined with THC with a result of 4 µM.
- Neutralize some of the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.
Brain Cancer: Relatively Low But Life-Threatening
Primary brain cancer refers to the overgrowth of cells in the brain that form masses called tumors. This differs from those originating in another part of the body and spreading to the brain, known as secondary or metastatic cancer.
Some cancerous tumors can grow rapidly and disrupt normal bodily functions. These malignant tumors can be life-threatening and require prompt treatment upon detection.
According to estimates from the American Cancer Society, the likelihood of developing a malignant tumor in one’s lifetime is less than 1 percent.
Treatment
Several treatments are available, and the approach may vary on whether it is primary or has metastasized from another site.
Your treatment plan will depend on the type, size, and location, as well as your age and overall health. Treatments include:
- Surgery: The most common treatment. Depending on the location, it may be possible to remove it fully, partially, or not at all.
- Chemotherapy: Destroy abnormal tissues and can shrink the tumor. Patients receive this treatment intravenously or orally.
- Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy waves, like X-rays, to destroy tumor tissue that doctors cannot remove surgically.
- Combination Therapy: Both chemotherapy and radiation therapy simultaneously.
- Biologic Drugs: Enhance, direct, or restore your body’s natural defenses against the tumor. Immunotherapy, a common type of biologic drug, boosts the immune system’s ability to target and fight abnormal tissues.
- Rehabilitation: If the disease affects your ability to talk, walk, or perform daily functions, rehabilitation may be necessary. This can include physical, occupational, and other supportive therapies.
New Studies for New Treatment Options
While cannabis is not yet an official treatment for reducing infected cells in the brain, it shows promising potential. It primarily manages the side effects of chemotherapy.
In the future, cannabis can become part of treatments aimed at slowing tumor growth and offering new hope for those battling brain cancer. For now, most studies focus on how cannabis affects cancerous tissues.
| Year | Origin | Results |
| 2001 | Complutense University, Madrid, Spain | Local injections of the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-133, a potent CB2 receptor agonist, into laboratory mice diagnosed notably reduced the size of the tumors. |
| 2004 | Spain | Marijuana affects a chemical signal needed for the brain tumor to build its blood supply, an essential element for its survival. |
| 2006 | Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Complutense University | THC injected into human brain tumors will not cause significant psychoactive effects. |
| 2021 | Leeds Institute of Medical Research | At six months, 33% of patients treated with marijuana were progression-free. Survival rates at one year were 83%. |
How Do Cannabinoids Destroy Cancerous Cells
Cannabinoids are a diverse group of compounds that primarily interact with receptors to produce various physiological effects. They may exert anticancer effects by altering signaling pathways involved in progression. The impact depends on the type of tumor and its interaction with the endocannabinoid system components.
Cell Proliferation
Cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol and WIN 55,212-2 can slow growth. Cannabinoids inhibit growth through various mechanisms, including blocking the protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. This inhibition leads to cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition and affects several types.
CBD, on the other hand, primarily inhibits cell proliferation through apoptosis. For example, CBD suppresses squamous cell carcinoma growth by inducing apoptosis and autophagy through DUSP1.
Apoptosis
Tetrahydrocannabinol and other components can trigger glioma cell death through cannabinoid receptor-dependent ceramide production. Later research identified additional mechanisms, such as CB2 receptor-mediated apoptosis in glioma.
Cannabidiol induces apoptosis through mechanisms that do not involve cannabinoid receptors. It has also induced apoptosis in various cancers through receptor-independent pathways.
Autophagy
Autophagy, the process where cells break down and recycle their components, can lead to either cell survival or death. Tetrahydrocannabinol triggers autophagy in human glioma. Tetrahydrocannabinol increases ceramide levels and activates stress responses that result in autophagy by inhibiting certain signaling pathways. Inhibiting autophagy in vivo has been shown to stop THC’s anti-tumor impact.
Invasion
THC can inhibit the invasion of prostate, glioma, and lung cancerous cells. This is partly due to cannabinoid receptors and TRPV1, which mediate these effects.
Cannabidiol reduces Id-1, a protein that promotes invasion, and also affects epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that increases cell mobility and invasiveness.
Recommended Weed Strains with Anticancer Properties
THC and CBD effectively inhibit growth and induce apoptosis. While each compound works well on its own, using them together enhances their results.
Marijuana plants come in two basic strains, Sativa and Indica, each offering a full range of cannabinoids. Patients choose between these strains based on their mental and emotional needs. Indicas are more relaxing, sedating, or grounding, while Sativas are more energizing or uplifting.
| Strain | THC | CBD | Experience |
| Gorilla Glue #4 | 28% | 1% | Heavy-handed euphoria and relaxation |
| Mochi (dep) | 23% | 0% | Mellow and relaxing |
| Apple Fritter | 27% | 0% | Relaxing and calming |
| Oreoz | 27% | 1% | Uplifting and boosting mental euphoria |
| Jealousy | 27% | 1% | Increase energy, enhance creativity, and promote calmness. |
Future Research and Potential Developments
Clinical trials evaluating cannabis’ effectiveness in the cancer population examine the plant’s effectiveness when combined with oncologic therapy. Studies cannot prove effective unless researchers conduct a reputable comparative analysis of all relevant research. The idea is that experts should compare the results of all studies to determine the gap and gradually bridge it. Researchers are exerting cumulative efforts to materialize the visions.
Medical cannabis treatment might offer a promising alternative or work as an adjunct to standard therapies, such as surgery or radiation, for some patients.
Healing Cancer with Weed
Numerous studies suggest that using medical cannabis can alleviate the spread and growth of cancerous cells. The components in the plant target multiple pathways to induce different mechanisms of action on the abnormal cell, like autophagy, proliferation, etc.
You can use Sativa and Indica, as these plants contain the two cannabinoids that bind to different receptors in the endocannabinoid system. GetLoud Cannabis dispensary offers a wide variety of strains, each with unique effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a patient ingest cannabis without medical consultation?
Prescription is not a must in most states in the US. To ensure the plant suits you, consult your doctor on your plan to use them. THC may not be appropriate for many people, as it may induce adverse reactions and interact with other drugs or medications. Getting advice from a healthcare provider guarantees safe and proper use customized to your medical condition.
Do in vitro and animal resting prove anything?
Studies suggesting that marijuana has potential anticancer impacts, such as inhibiting growth or decreasing the spread, are results from preclinical studies that implicated animals and human tissues, not entirely human patients. While this may be successful for pieces of tissue and certain animal species, it may or may not be true for all entities. That’s why further research is necessary.
What are the other benefits of cannabinoids in chemotherapy?
- Help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
- Stimulate appetite, which benefits patients experiencing loss of appetite or significant weight loss.
- Help manage pain.
- Improve sleep quality by managing pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- Reduce anxiety and stress.
