Moreover, even though some people still debate this topic, it is believed that CBD can be used in the treatment of cancer.
However, one thing is for sure – CBD tinctures can help manage some of the symptoms that a cancer patient experiences, as well as some of the symptoms inflicted by the treatment of cancer.
Today, we will be talking about the use of CBD as a complementary therapy. Namely, how can this substance, so to speak, complement cancer treatment.
Possible Uses
Before mentioning CBD’s usage as a complementary therapy, it is important to mention other things it may be useful for as well.
As you may know, CBD is often mistaken with THC – the active cannabinoid that causes the well-known high when ingested or smoked. THC is already known to treat anxiety and pain.
However, scientists and researchers are currently looking at the possibility of using the former cannabinoid – CBD – to treat both chronic pain and anxiety, which would probably make it as efficient as THC.
CBD – Complementary Therapy
Analyzing the evidence that we have available, we can see that both CBD and cannabis therapies could complement cancer treatment – and not just that. At the moment, it is believed that CBD may help people with cancer in the following ways:
Stimulation of Appetite
People who undergo cancer treatment usually experience loss of appetite and nausea. Therefore, it can be quite difficult for patients to maintain a healthy weight.
It is believed that ingested cannabis may help stimulate the appetite, because the THC and other cannabinoids are delivered to the bloodstream. To put it lightly, so to speak, we all know the munchies that one experiences after smoking or ingesting THC.
Pain Relief
It is well-known that both cancer and cancer treatment can lead to horrendous pain. Such pain is usually caused due to the pressure placed on internal organs, inflammation, or even nerve injury.
Moreover, in the case of severe pain, the body can even become resistant to some of the most powerful pain relievers, including opioids.
When using CBD as a complementary therapy, it indirectly acts on the CB2 receptors, and may reduce inflammation, thus helping with widespread pain relief. On the other hand, THC is known to act on the CB1 receptors, and thus helping to relieve pain which results from nerve damage.
Nausea
Chemotherapy is usually responsible for regular vomiting and nausea. Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC may alleviate these symptoms and make the whole process of chemo a lot easier for patients.
However, it seems that the cannabinoid responsible for the anti-nausea effect is actually THC. This means that patients, or people who try to reduce nausea, should be prepared for THC’s psychoactive effects as well.
Concluding Remarks
Naturally, CBD can be used by anyone experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, regardless if they suffer from cancer or not. Instead of relying on medicine, pills, tablets, and so on, you could always try an all-natural product that does the same thing, so to speak.
It goes without saying that the CBD and THC industry will evolve more in the future, eventually being able to provide patients and other people with a natural alternative to the medicine that, in some cases, they have to take daily.
