Health and wellness products made using hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) are popular among users. This is because they have potential therapeutic and medical effects that can be effective for treating the symptoms of a wide variety of ailments. Along with this, they have almost no side effects at regular doses and are hence considered safe. Having said that, they are not a replacement for conventional pharmaceutical medications. In this article, we will investigate the use of cannabidiol product, CBD oil for treating cancer; read on to know more about this.
What Is Cancer?
Cancer is the abnormal growth and spread of cells caused by unwanted mutation of DNA in cells. There are many reasons for this, and they are not yet fully understood. This is the major reason for the absence of treatments that permanently cures this condition; there is always a chance for relapse even if you are cured. There are more than 100 types of cancers, and some of them are more common than others. For instance, colon, skin, breast, and prostate cancers are the more common ones. Shared below are details on CBD cancer treatment and studies about this.
Studies On CBD Oil And Its Use For Cancer Treatment
Before discussing studies on CBD cancer treatment, it is important to know more about this cannabinoid. Cannabidiol is one of the major cannabinoids found in the cannabis family of plants, especially the hemp plant. It is potentially useful for treating cancer mainly because it stimulates the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of a chemical signaling system that helps to maintain the internal equilibrium of the body, also known as homeostasis. Products like CBD oil help to restore the equilibrium because the cannabinoids contained in it are like the endocannabinoids produced by our body.
Research that investigates the effectiveness of CBD oil for treating cancer is still in its infancy. So, keep in mind that more studies, especially those specific to humans are required to make conclusive claims about CBD cancer treatment. Ongoing research in this area can be classified into two categories. Firstly, the effects of cannabidiol on stopping or slowing down the growth of tumors. Secondly, the usefulness of cannabidiol for relieving the side-effects of chemotherapy, i.e., nausea, pain, anxiety, and weight loss.
Cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) can be used for reducing skin inflammation. Remember that inflammation usually increases the risk of skin cancer. This is due to the increased amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activation cascades due to it. Research has shown that inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and proteases help skin cancer cells to survive and invade. It is assumed that the anti-inflammatory effect of CBD protects against this and thereby gives it anti-cancer effects.
A study conducted in 2014 showed that CBD may be effective in inhibiting the proliferation of colorectal cancerous cells. At the same time, it does not affect normal and healthy cells. Likewise, a 2019 study showed that this cannabinoid could induce apoptosis by the regulation of various pro and anti-apoptotic proteins, and thereby slowing or reducing tumor growth.
Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of death in females. Studies have shown that cannabinoids affected the hormone sensitivity of breast cancer cells. This is because they involve themselves in the receptor-dependent and independent proliferation and invasion of these cells; these are the hallmarks of cancer growth. It has been found that CBD usually activates the apoptotic pathway that is intrinsically present in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a 2011 study showed the involvement of CBD in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This is particularly important as the inhibition of ROS results in the blocking of apoptosis and autophagy; these two processes are crucial for the removal of diseased or damaged cells.
Another major potential use of CBD oil is in the treatment of lung cancer. Keep in mind that this is one of the cancers that cause mortality, and it is highly prevalent across the globe. In 90% of the cases, this is caused due to the smoking of tobacco products. The other major triggers are exposure to radiation or chemical agents. Studies show that cannabidiol (CBD) may be useful in inhibiting the expression and growth of epidermal growth factor in lung cancer cells.
The Use Of CBD Oil For Preventive Treatment
With the rise in the prevalence of various types of cancers, more attention is given to their prevention. This usually involves regular health check-ups as well as lifestyle changes. Healthcare experts recommend people to consume lower amounts of red meat, reduce stress levels, consume more whole foods, and do regular exercise. Also, studies suggest that the therapeutic and medical effects of cannabidiol (CBD) can augment the steps taken for cancer prevention. That said, remember that CBD oil is still not used as part of conventional cancer treatment due to a lack of sufficient scientific evidence.
On a final note, pharmaceutical companies are researching to identify potential CBD cancer treatment uses. Also, you must consult a physician before using it for this purpose.