Can you use medical cannabis during chemo?
5 min readChemotherapy is arguably one of the most uncomfortable and painful treatments a patient can go through. Cancer patients experience some of the most unimaginable side effects that are extremely difficult to manage and considered by many to be unbearable. While traditional medicine can help some patients relieve some of these chemotherapy undesirable effects, they are in no way enough. As a result, many patients seek additional supplements to help them feel better. In addition, patients often resort to organic CBD hemp capsules, which can have many benefits for their recovery process.
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What is medical cannabis?
CBD (cannabidiol) capsules are a form of consuming medical cannabis. While marijuana contains enough tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to make you feel “high”, CBD doesn’t. Consuming CBD capsules allows you to experience the benefits of cannabis use without exposing yourself to the unwanted effects of THC. CBD capsules generally contain little to no amounts of THC. The maximum allowable THC content in CBD capsules is only 0.3%, so you don’t have to worry about consuming THC if you don’t want to.
Can you use medicinal cannabis during chemo?
There is some excellent evidence to support the idea that CBD can reduce tumor growth in animals with cancer. Consuming CBD can also potentially increase your body’s response to other drugs and directly increase the effectiveness of certain drugs used to treat cancer. There are numerous benefits to consuming CBD, including cancer prevention, cancer treatment, and treatment of chemotherapy side effects. As you will see below, the various benefits of using CBD are pronounced, but this is a relatively new area of study. Due to the sensitivity of the disease and its treatment, you should consult a doctor before consuming any CBD products. This advice ensures that you are well prepared for the effects of possible change. It will also ensure that the CBD products that you plan to consume do not adversely affect your medications.
What are the benefits of using medical cannabis while being chemo?
A 2019 analysis of in vivo and in vitro studies that focused primarily on pancreatic cancer found that CBD could help slow tumor growth. CBD can also induce tumor cell death and reduce tumor invasion. Although an accurate model for the use of CBD during chemotherapy has not yet been formulated, researchers are working on it. Another 2019 study found that CBD could make cancer cells more sensitive to the effects of radiation given during chemotherapy. CBD can have these effects without harming healthy cells. Consuming CBD can also lead to a reduced risk of developing bladder cancer. In addition, CBD could potentially help reduce the spread of colon cancer cells. Breast cancer patients have also reported similar effects from using CBD.
The claims in no way suggest that CBD could be an alternative to chemotherapy. At this time, research is limited and it is too early to say definitively whether CBD is completely safe for treating cancer in humans. The positive effects and possible side effects of using CBD during chemotherapy are not yet apparent and there is a lot of research going on right now. In addition, the dosage and various techniques of CBD administration to maximize the benefits of using CBD are also being explored.
Current research suggests that Plain Jane CBD may help relieve neuropathic pain and nausea. CBD can also stimulate appetite, which is beneficial as loss of appetite is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Many patients have reported experiencing “munchies” after consuming CBD, which are generally associated with cannabis use. These food cravings enable them to eat on a regular basis and help them stabilize their weight. CBD is famous for its anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties, which are helpful for anyone undergoing chemotherapy. CBD is gaining much popularity due to its effectiveness in treating sleep problems. Consuming CBD can have a positive effect on the quality of your sleep and also improve the length of your sleep. Cancer patients have reported having trouble sleeping often so this is undoubtedly a great benefit. These positive effects can be felt almost immediately after consuming CBD and can improve the general quality of life. The benefits that you will experience will help you in several ways. You will feel much more comfortable and you will be able to maintain healthier mental health.
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How can you use medical cannabis?
Now that you know the various benefits of CBD for patients undergoing chemotherapy, you may be curious about how to consume it. A major disadvantage of taking marijuana is its greatest effect from smoking. Smoking can have serious side effects in certain types of cancer, so most patients are concerned about going this route. In comparison, there are numerous forms in which you can take CBD without smoking. CBD is available in the form of oils and tinctures that you can infuse with any drink or food you want. CBD is also available in capsules that you can ingest directly. Alternatively, you can crush and consume CBD pills by mixing them with a drink. There are also gummy bears and candies available in the market that you can buy if you are looking for an alternative method of eating them. You can control your dosage and the medium through which you consume CBD to make the experience even better.
Conclusion
While CBD can give you so many benefits, you should always be careful. Make sure you know what you are consuming by reading the information on the labels on the CBD products. As with anything, moderation is essential when using CBD products. Feel free to experiment by gradually changing the dosage to maximize the benefits of consuming the products. With a serious illness like cancer and acute treatment like chemotherapy, it is of the utmost importance to be transparent with your doctor. You should consult your doctor before consuming CBD products and seek advice on dosage. It is best to make an educated assessment before consuming any CBD products, considering all of the factors associated with your condition and treatment.