Marijuana - The Magic Cancer Cure?
Marijuana or cannabis (which is its scientific name) has been a contentious topic among political groups and pharmaceutical establishments. There have been two opposing views on the plant and its effects on humans that has led to much confusion for people who seek medicinal relief for numerous health concerns.
Use of cannabis in some American states and much of the world is illegal. Its use can land you a hefty fine and imprisonment because of its classification as a schedule 1 substance.
Interestingly, the same substance termed as medical marijuana can be obtained through the medical authorisation of a doctor in other states to treat numerous health conditions. This has caused much protests among states who are yet to legalise it’s use.
In this segment, we will take a brief look at the science of the cannabis plant on cancer. While proven to be an effective treatment for a wide array of disorders we will narrow our focus on its effects to cancer.
Below are we have listed 15 medical studies that signify cannabis being an effective treatment for cancer;
A study announced by the British Journal Of Cancer, led by Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Comultense University in Madrid, determined that Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids hinders tumour growth.
This was the first clinical study that focused on determining cannabinoid antitumor effects. Cannabinoid delivery was safe and accomplished with no psychoactive effects. Overall, 2 out of 9 patients had a decrease in tumour growth from THC.
http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v95/n2/abs/6603236a.html
A study published in the journal of Neuroscience examined the biochemical events in neuro damage and neurodegenerative diseases. Under magnetic resonance imaging they observed THC (the main active compound in marijuana) and discovered it reduced brain injury in rats. The results suggest that the brain can be protected from neurodegeneration with the help of the cannabinoid system.
http://www.jneurosci.org/content/21/17/6475.abstract
A study published in the Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics examined the effect of cannabidiol (CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound) on human glioma cell lines. The addition of cannabidiol led to a dramatic drop in the capability of glioma, or brain tumour cells. The study concluded that cannabidiol was able to produce significant antitumor action.
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/308/3/838.abstract
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine, conducted by the California Pacific Medical Centre, found that cannabidiol (CBD) inhibits breast cancer cell growth and invasion. They also validated that CBD significantly reduces tumour mass.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20859676
A study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics determined that THC as well as cannabidiol dramatically reduced breast cancer cell growth.
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2006/05/25/jpet.106.105247
A study published in the journal Molecular Cancer exhibited reduced tumour growth and tumour numbers with THC. They determined that cannabinoids inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce cancer cell apoptosis, and impair tumour angiogenesis (all good things). This study provides strong evidence for the use of cannabinoid-based therapies to manage breast cancer.
http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/9/1/196
A study published in the journal Oncogene by Harvard Medical School’s Experimental Medicine Department determined that THC inhibits epithelial growth factor induced lung cancer cell migration and more. They go on to state that THC and other cannabinoids should be explored as novel therapeutic molecules in controlling the growth and metastasis of certain lung cancers.
http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v27/n3/abs/1210641a.html
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine by the Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology in Germany determined that cannabinoids inhibit cancer cell invasion. Effects were confirmed in primary tumour cells from a lung cancer patient. Overall, data indicated that cannabinoids decrease cancer cell invasiveness.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22198381?dopt=Abstract
Another study in Italy analyzed the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on prostate cancer. These chemicals are not related to THC, the component that makes one “high” with marijuana. The researchers found that CBD was effective in killing prostate carcinoma. It also prevented its growth and spread. They also found that the chemicals in cannabis enhance each other’s cancer-killing properties.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570006/
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine illustrates a decrease in prostatic cancer cells by acting through cannabinoid receptors.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12746841?dopt=Abstract
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine outlined multiple studies proving the effectiveness of cannabis on prostate cancer.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339795/?tool=pubmed
A study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology recently showed that cannabinoids induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma. The study was supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society, The Swedish Research Council, and the Cancer Society in Stockholm.
http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/70/5/1612.abstract
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine and conducted by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University determined that cannabinoids induce apoptosis in leukemia cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16908594
A study published by the US National Library of Medicine determined that THC reduces the viability of human HCC cell lines (Human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line) and inhibits their growth.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21475304
A study published in the American Journal of Cancer determined that cannabinoid receptors are expressed in human pancreatic tumour cell lines and tumour biopsies at much higher levels than in normal pancreatic tissue. Results showed that cannabinoid administration induced apoptosis. They also reduced the growth of tumour cells, and inhibited the spreading of pancreatic tumour cells.
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/66/13/6748.abstract
Potential For Overdose?
Millions of Americans use marijuana regularly, according to themost recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and addiction treatment researcher Keith Humphreys said cannabis consumption has “virtually no risk” of death.
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab1-1b
The Drug Enforcement Administration states that there have been no reported overdose deaths from marijuana.
https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/drug_data_sheets/Marijuana.pdf
So how can its classification as a harmful and dangerous drug co-exist with the notion of it being medically beneficial by doctors?
Multi Billion Dollars’ Worth of Prohibition
This appears to a baffling period indeed, but when you take into consideration of who benefits from the prohibition of cannabis then we may begin to finally demystify the hidden agendas.
In order to maintain this astronomical margin of profit it makes sense as to why many proponents of criminalization have pushed for cannabis to remain as a schedule 1 substance with the tag of “has no currently accepted medical treatment in the US”. https://www.drugs.com/article/csa-schedule-1.html
The good news is that since California became the first state to set in motion the legalization of medical cannabis in 1996 we have seen a significant paradigm shift in this level of cognitive dissonance (conflicting attitudes to a situation) that has altered much of the world’s perception towards its potential therapeutic use.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis stands as a great example of how the human mind can be conditioned to believe something with absolute certainty, even when faced with contradicting evidence afterwards.
Marijuana for cancer treatment is very plausible (I personally think it's a near cure) yet we require more reinforcing studies for this wonderful herb to undo the brainwashing that has gotten much of the world using harmful pharmaceutical drugs.
As a personal user, my first joint was at 23 years old, a bit late you might think despite all the encounters we have throughout our youth. Before that I thought it was harmful, until I researched for months and simply tried it for myself. Rick Simpson's documentary on curing cancer is the single video that created a completely different perspective for me.
I vaporise almost everyday, hold a decent job as a digital designer, in a loving relationship, create music as a hobby, live a fun and active lifestyle. My life I feel is not impaired by the herb, but I feel empowered by it.
I choose to get high responsibly, when I want to relax, be creative, make music, or do sports (I feel it relaxes my game). In fact some of my best mediations and yoga sessions is when I am baked.
There's so much more we can talk about this remarkable plant, its potential for neuro-genesis (formation of new brain cells), spirituality, enhanced love making, plus more.
In my experience, it may not be for everyone, but if used correctly, we have a tool for the mind, body and spirit. A tool that has evolved with us since the dawn of time. This plant is our ally.
The world is waking up to the scent of this good herb, it's benefit for mankind is mother nature's calling we can no longer ignore.
Hope you enjoyed this read and find the many benefits of herb as much as I have!
Stay lifted.
Your author of this blog post.
Long Nguyen | Naturopath | Bio-Hacker | Student Of Zen
Upvoted ☝ Have a great day!
Very nice read! Hopefully there won't be anything "magical" in the potential of cannabis soon enough and it will be a standard medicine.
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