CBD Oil and Other Products for Cancer

When it comes to cancer and its potential medical treatments, Cannabis oil (CBD oil) is mentioned a lot. It is believed that CBD oils can help reduce some side effects from cancer chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting, or depressive thoughts. Although these are only anecdotal, and research is still being conducted on this topic, CBD oils are gaining popularity as supplementation to cancer treatments.

Before implementing any additional formulations to cancer treatments, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor. It’s crucial, especially with cancer patients, that are more vulnerable to external factors, like supplements. There is a good reason why we should have this conversation with our doctor before reaching for CBD oil.  You will find more information about this topic below.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

It is well known that cancer patients are not the only people interested in using CBD oils. They are more popular than ever in every group. It can be attributed to many beneficial properties of CBD oils, like helping with insomnia, anxiety,  pain, or overstimulation. Many people report feeling calmer after using CBD oil, and recent research suggests that it has anti-inflammatory properties.[1]

How does CBD oil work? It is believed that CBD comes into interaction with the central nervous system, but unlike THC, it’s not considered a mind-altering substance. It means that it won’t cause the feeling of being “high.” Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from hemp – plants with high levels of CBD that can contain very low levels of THC (0.3% or less).

CBD oil is usually taken orally and can be used according to need, within the daily dosage limit (you can find this information on a specific product package). It’s important to note that different CBD oils will have different concentrations of CBD in them. For that reason, it’s best to choose the oils with higher levels of CBD to get the most out of using this supplement.

CBD Oil for Cancer

Most people using CBD oils are not cancer patients but healthy individuals. So what about cancer patients? Can CBD be used alongside cancer treatments? Do CBD oils have any beneficial effects in the fight against this sickness?

Well, the answer is not that simple. Nowadays, intensive research is being conducted on the potential effects of CBD on the human body. The results we have today are inconclusive, but it is suspected that CBD can help mitigate inflammation in the body.[2]

Some studies suggest the effectiveness of CBD in colon cancer prevention (the research was done on mice). This study showed that CBD could prevent the growth of cancer cells, leading scientists to conclude that CBD might be used not only during cancer treatment but also in cancer prevention.[3]

Other research hypothesizes that CBD products can cause breast cancer cells to die. That would prevent the tumor cells from spreading. Discovery, if proven, could revolutionize modern cancer treatment.[4]

The researchers can’t confirm these findings yet, and new studies are being conducted all the time. There is still a lot we do not know, so it’s recommended to ask a doctor about CBD oil usage in cancer therapy.

How Do People with Cancer Use CBD Oil?

During cancer treatment, many patients focus on addressing the symptoms of the sickness as much as the side effects from some forms of therapy. Well known for such side effects is chemotherapy which is incredibly taxing on the body. Some common symptoms of the treatment include:

• dizziness
• nausea
• vomiting

Additionally, patients with cancer frequently experience anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia. They often use CBD oil to reduce the severity of cancer symptoms. Right now, CBD oils are being used (and with tremendous success) only to add to the cancer treatment, not as a cure for it.

With regular usage of CBD oils and other products with CBD, patients are able to reduce chronic pain, feelings of discomfort, problems with sleeping, and others. It’s worth remembering that every organism is different, and for that reason the reactions to CBD products may vary from person to person depending on the amount of CBD in the supplement as well as other factors.

Is CBD Safe for People With Cancer?

That is the question every patient should ask their doctor. There is still a lot to learn about CBD and how it affects the human body, but what we do know is that it can interact with some medications. Although CBD products have been shown to reduce inflammation or cause cancer cells to die (like in breast cancer) [5], their potential interference with some cancer treatments might be a reason not to take them.

CBD oil can have reactions with other drugs, like oral contraceptives. This is something to be mindful of. It’s good to look for supplements or products that actively improve the quality of life, and CBD oil can definitely be treated as such a product. Still, it’s always best to implement any new supplement responsibly, with every safety measure that is in hand.

That being said, many doctors allow or, in some cases, even encourage their patients to reach for CBD and THC specifics. It’s because they often make a big difference in patients’ lives by increasing their comfort level and helping with pain management.

Medical Cannabis

Next to CBD oils, many cancer patients rely on medical cannabis. The main difference between those products is that medicinal marijuana has higher levels of THC. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is another name for THC, is responsible for altering the way human cells in the brain work. This is why after cannabis, we can experience the feeling of being “high.”

Medicinal marijuana is beneficial in reducing cancer pain and overall discomfort in patients suffering from cancer and many other illnesses, like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, glaucoma, or Alzheimer’s.

Very often, medicinal cannabis can help patients in a palliative state when the main goal is to manage pain and ensure the best quality of life for people in the last years and months of their lives.

Medicinal cannabis is available for patients in some drugstores (depending on where you live) with a prescription from the doctor. It can be smoked but also inhaled (with a special vaporizer), eaten (for example, in the form of lollipops), put on in a lotion, or ingested in the form of drops.

Other CBD Products

There are many enthusiasts of CBD oils because these products are widely accessible and easy to apply. That doesn’t mean oils are only CBD products on the market. They can also be found in the following forms:

• edibles, like gummy bears
• capsules
• tinctures
• creams and oils for skin
• sprays to use under a tongue
• roll-ons

There is no shortage of options when it comes to CBD products, so anyone can find something that will best suit their needs. It is especially important for individuals that are battling severe sickness.

Are CBD Products Available on Prescription?

Since CBD oils and other products are often used to support cancer treatment, it would be safe to assume that patients can purchase these supplements in a drug store. Unfortunately, the list of available CBD products in pharmacies is limited at the moment.

One drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration is called Epidiolex. This CBD oil is intended for use by people with epilepsy. There are no drugs approved by the FDA for cancer patients, mainly due to too little research done on the subject.

The good news is that CBD oils and other products are easily accessible for anyone that wants to try them. Although federal and state laws are still complicated in this matter, it is important to find out if CBD products are legal in your state.  In many cases they are treated as supplements. This means there is no need for a prescription when purchasing them.

Side Effects

As stated earlier, every person can react differently to CBD oils and products. This is why it’s best to learn about the potential side effects of using CBD. The most common side effects include:

• diarrhea
• lack of appetite
• dry mouth
• fatigue
• low blood pressure

After taking any new supplement, it is vital to observe the body and your wellbeing to catch any abnormalities. It’s worth mentioning that the side effects of CBD products are not very common, and most people tolerate these very well.

As always, we recommend consulting a doctor before using CBD products, especially if you’re on medications.

Bottom Line

There is no doubt that more research is required, however CBD products are frequently used by many people all around the world. These help many with anxiety, problems with sleep, overstimulation, or in mitigating discomfort. There are many different applications for CBD products, so this topic is worth looking into.

The same is done by researchers trying to determine how exactly CBD based drugs can be used to our advantage in the battle against many serious illnesses. For now, we know that CBD oils and other supplements of this kind are often used in order to help patients with some problematic side effects of their ailment, as well as side effects of treatments.

CBD can be a great way to take care of your body. Adding this extra support can make a whole lot of difference.

If you’re interested in learning more about our products, please check out MojaveRX products and how they can affect your day-to-day life!