Today, an infinite number of reasons why CBD or cannabidiol is evolving in the world of therapeutic treatment for various diseases, and this wonderful member of the 113 components of cannabis is achieving results to alleviate ailments caused by chronic diseases.
In this article we will talk about one of the diseases with the most history in the world of medicine: cancer. We will describe in detail what it is, its role as a serious disease, the different types and of course, we will talk about cannabidiol as a therapeutic option against cancer, we will emphasize the wonderful benefits that this medicine of natural origin is achieving to combat the effects of this disease. .
Cancer and its mortality
To begin, we will talk a little about what cancer is and its role as the main cause of death in the world.
What is it?
To know what cancer is and what we are facing, we need to understand the process by which this disease is formed.
Carcinogenesis is recognized as the process that consists of going through a series of phases to reach the formation of what we know today as cancer; In the first phase or initiation phase we observe how carcinogens act on normal cells, altering their composition and therefore causing them to mutate, resulting in considerably damaged cells, which begin to proliferate at a speed a little higher than that of a normal cell. , placing this in a second phase or tumor initiation phase.
Now we have a group of damaged cells that have been increasing their number in a shorter time, meaning that, if the cells called carcinogens carry out the process again on these already damaged cells, it would only increase their speed of multiplication and the likelihood that they will form. new mutations, this phase is called the promotion phase.
To complete this process, we find that these cells, both the initiation and the promoted ones, are affected by new modifications, thus producing more abnormal growth and behavior, in turn acquiring invasive characteristics both locally and at a distance, yielding as resulting in the extension and therefore metastasis of the cancer, the latter is called the progression phase.
In this way we can conclude that cancer is nothing more than the abnormal replication of a cell that, by altering its composition, has the advantage of increasing some of its characteristics, allowing it to proliferate faster and attack more than one tissue.
Mortality
Now let's talk about cancer and its mortality in the world, taking into account that cancer is the second cause of death worldwide. The WHO It tells us that in 2015, 8,8 million deaths were recorded, as well as that around 70% of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The main types of cancer that cause a higher mortality rate are: lungThat of mamma, liver, stomach, colon and that around a third of cancer deaths are directly connected to the five main dietary and behavioral risk factors, such as low intake of fruits and vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the high rate of body mass.
22% of cancer deaths are caused by the main risk factor called smoking.
The WHO has been in charge of collecting this data of vital importance to have the necessary information on cancer victims, in turn they have managed to launch the Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2013-2020 , with the aim of reducing premature mortality caused by cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes by 25% by 2025.
Beginnings of CBD as a therapeutic treatment against cancer
In 2007, Dr. Sean McAllister, a renowned scientist from the Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, published a very specific summary of how CBD or cannabidiol killed breast cancer cells. This occurred thanks to the fact that during his insistent research that led to conducted for more than 10 years, discovered that cannabidiol turned out to be a potent inhibitor of cell multiplication and therefore metastasis and tumor growth of cancer.
For years he was supported by scholarships from the National Institute of Health and of course with his respective license granted by the DEA, thanks to this he was able to continue his research on cannabinoids in therapeutic response against different types of cancer throughout this time.
At the same time, a protein was found that apparently plays a very important role in the conduct of cancer cells, which is called the ID-1 gene and which is recognized for remaining active in human embryonic development, and is directly affected by CBD. , taking into account McAllister's words where he says that "dozens of aggressive cancers express this gene" which apparently is reactivated in the presence of carcinogens and cannabidiol has an advantage over this ID-1 gene by inactivating it and therefore stopping conduction of these cells affecting their development.
Apart from these wonderful contributions of CBD against cancerMcAllister also tells us that CBD offers hope for a non-toxic treatment with chemotherapy by treating more aggressive forms of cancer, eliminating so the Side effects of the procedure.
Studies supporting CBD as a cancer treatment
A small study conducted in the British Journal of Pharmacology showed how CBD inhibited the migration of U87 glioma cells in a concentration-dependent manner.
Another study in April 2015 conducted in the International Journal of Cancer by different Italian researchers from several universities showed a unique way in which CBD can combat gliomas.
In November 2011, a study conducted in Anticancer Research determined that CBD induced apoptosis and neutralized the multiplication of colon cancer cells. This was obtained by cannabidiol-induced phosphatase expression specifically in the molecules DUSPI, DUSPI0, serum ACPP, cellular ACPP and PTPN6.
A study carried out by German researchers in 2010 focused on the cervical cancer lines HeLa and C33A, to explore the anti-cancer impact that CBD had, resulting in an inhibitory response to the invasion of cancer cells, as well as a considerable reduction in their viability, due to CBD.
In 2011, another study was conducted in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, which demonstrated different mechanisms by which CBD could reduce viability and cause apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
In June 2014, a study was carried out in the International Journal of Cancer, which showed how CBD eliminates RPMI8226 and U266 cells in multiple myeloma. CBD acted as a drastic reducer of viability in both cell lines, it also worked alone with the drug bortezomib to reduce viability and decrease the proliferation of cancer cells, as well as stopping the cell cycle, thus causing necrotic cell death. .
A study conducted by Dr. Wai Liu and other researchers in 2013 at the University of London illustrated the synergistic anti-cancer properties of non-psychotropic cannabinoids such as CBD.
CBD was joined one at a time with the rest of the cannabinoids in order to evaluate synergistic or antagonistic relationships, resulting in neutral cannabinoids being more effective than their acidic counterparts, with CBD being the strongest.
Having described some of the studies that support the functioning of CBD in cancer treatment, we can say that although there seems to be enough information to start using this method more commonly, some research is still missing that allows for definitive assembly. of CBD against cancer, which are expected in the not too distant future.
CBD in different types of cancer
CBD or cannabidiol has proven to play a fairly important role in the treatment of cancer, in addition to covering a wide variety of cancers. Below, we will mention some of the types of cancer where CBD achieved positive responses:
Breast cancer and CBD.
One of the main cancers in the world is breast cancer and therefore one of the participants in the study of treatment with CBD to help reduce its proliferation, in this case CBD acts as a important inhibitor of cancerous proliferation in the breast, thus obtaining anti-tumor efficacy from cannabinoids.
McAllister and his team from the California Pacific Medical Center, which were mentioned above, are the scientific basis to prove the effectiveness of CBD in breast cancer, who reported in their publication that:
"...The effects of CBD could occur through the reduction of the proliferation of tumor cells, a decrease in the intra- and extra-invasion of cells, and/or through the restart of the tumor after the cells reach their target tissue…, Indeed , the most dramatic observation of the effect of CBD on secondary tumors was the reduction of metastasis…”
Thanks to this research we can have a clearer understanding of the true work of CBD in the treatment of breast cancer and its notable benefit.
Lung cancer and CBD
Lung cancer, one of the cancers most affected by risk factors such as smoking, is today a reason for high mortality in smokers; Affecting the lung cells, lung cancer causes damage to them and uncontrolled multiplication, leading the patient to suffer from severe pain and hindering their ability to breathe normally, as well as a series of symptoms that will worsen as the cells carcinogens proliferate.
CBD or cannabidiol has also taken an important role in the treatment of lung cancer, and this is due to an event that occurred in 2019, where when studying the case of a patient who was treating a lung adenocarcinoma with CBD, he obtained amazing resultsWhen decreased significantly the tumor in the area.
Taking into account that one of the most frequent causes of serious illness and death in lung cancer are lung tumors, this participation of CBD and therefore tumor shrinkage, it is a great benefit that this natural component of cannabis gives us.
Colon cancer and CBD
Starting as very small groups of polyps that at that time are usually benign, it is a matter of time for carcinogens to corrupt the configuration of these cells, damaging them and turning them carcinogenic. This process occurs inside the colon, which is the final part of the tube. digestive, which over time turns into colon cancer.
Cannabinoid compounds such as CBD or cannabidiol can inhibit the proliferation of these malignant cells, studies have shown the effectiveness of this cannabinoid, finding results such as reduction in tumor formation and the number of polyps.
In turn, cannabidiol or CBD could alleviate the terrible ailments of this disease, and in a complementary way help in the treatment that would improve the quality of life of the patient with colorectal cancer.
Brain cancer and CBD
Glioma is a cancer located in the brain that affects its different areas depending on the size and location. Its severity is directed at the extent to which it destroys brain cells and therefore affects the normal functions of the body, as the brain is located in a cavity with limited space, the presence of an additional mass affects it due to the compression of the area.
It has been shown that CBD acts against this type of cancer thanks to its ability as a cannabinoid to cross the blood-brain barrier, thanks to its high barrier permeability, in turn it has powerful apoptosis effects, which allows the destruction of the brain cell. carcinogenic, this makes it an excellent option for the treatment of different brain cancers.
Certain studies discussed above have shown that CBD reduced viability, disrupted proliferation, and induced apoptosis in glioma cell lines, as well as inhibited mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and caused cancer cell death.
Skin cancer and CBD
One of the most frequent and aggressive cancers depending on its type is skin cancer, affecting the largest organ in the human body and having a fairly high proliferation depending on the type.
CBD or cannabidiol in combination with THC or tetrahydrocannabinol has proven to be the perfect combination for the treatment of this type of cancer, since thanks to its characteristics it has great advantages over skin cancer cells, causing reduced tumor cell proliferation and increase in autophagy and apoptosis of cancer cells.
Even this dynamic duo has exceeded expectations and has proven to be much more effective than other specific drugs for the treatment of skin cancer, such as temozolomide, which works as a standard single-agent treatment for metastatic melanoma.
Pancreatic cancer and CBD
Pancreatic cancer is without a doubt the most aggressive cancer and difficult to treat. This is due to the way it attacks, since it does so stealthily, thus causing it to be in very advanced stages when detected and very difficult. your treatment.
CBD is an important part of the treatment of pancreatic cancer for relief from ailments, as well as support in the chemotherapy process, allowing minor intoxication due to the process.
So far, studies have been carried out with other components of cannabis that seem to completely eliminate pancreatic cancer tumors, however, research is still being carried out on the effect of CBD directly on pancreatic cancer.
Prostate cancer and CBD
The most common cancer in men, with a high mortality rate, ranked second among the main cancer deaths in men and although many types of this cancer develop slowly, it is mandatory that patients take appropriate measures to control it. or preferably delete it.
Just as in colon cancer, CBD proved to be just as effective in this type of cancer as well, promoting apoptosis of cancer cells. On the other hand, cannabidiol or CBD in combination with other medications that serve as a treatment for prostate cancer such as bicalutamide and docetaxel, which resulted in a notable improvement in the antiproliferative capabilities of both drugs.
Bladder cancer and CBD
This type of cancer is quite common and occurs more in men than in women, affecting mostly older adults. It mostly begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder and, although it occurs more frequently, In this area, it can also be found in any part of the urinary tract.
In 2019, research was carried out on cannabis treatment against bladder cancer in dogs, of course, emphasizing the potential use of cannabidiol or CBD in order to discover possible benefits on this serious disease in canines.
However, this research is expected to lead to tests in humans to combat the most aggressive form of bladder cancer, taking into account that CBD has incredible advantages on this cancer since it acts by enabling TRPV22, which which would trigger death in bladder cancer T24 cells.
Leukemia, lymphoma and CBD
Beginning mostly in the bone marrow, this cancer is associated with an excessive accumulation of immature white blood cells in the blood; On the other hand, there is lymphoma which is a type of cancer similar to leukemia that affects white blood cells, but also affects the lymph nodes and therefore becomes a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Certain studies have shown that CBD significantly reduces viability and induced apoptosis in both lymphoma and leukemia, which is why once again we prove that CBD is a excellent option to combat cancer, in this case leukemia and lymphoma, resulting in an affectation of their cancer cells to cause their poor development.
Use of CBD as a complement in chemotherapy
Perhaps one of the most alarming concerns for a cancer patient who must undergo chemotherapy is the toxicity that the procedure can have on the body, as well as the ailments that occur as side effects of chemotherapy, since CBD can also help in these cases.
Cannabidiol or CBD has the advantage of serving as a complementary treatment during chemotherapy for cancer patients, to significantly reduce or relieve side effects of it, such as nausea, vomiting and of course undesirable chronic pain.
Some studies have shown certain advantages of CBD during chemotherapy, such as in brain cancer, where they will increase the capacity of glioma cells so that they can more easily absorb chemotherapeutic agents, as well as CBD causes the most dangerous tumor in adults called glioblastoma, is more sensitive to treatment.
Benefits of CBD as a cancer treatment
Needless to say, the benefits of cannabidiol are highly broad and in relation to cancer treatment, they play a very important role in its possible elimination or reduction of side effects. Below, we emphasize those benefits:
- It serves as a complementary medicine in chemotherapy.
- It plays a role as palliative treatment in the side effects of cancer
- Relieves chronic pain
- Decrease the anxiety and depression
- Helps with sleep problems
- Helps with anti-inflammatory processes of cancer
- It acts in the body to produce the death of cancer cells
- Decreases the proliferation of malignant cells
- Has no side effects
- It performs multiple functions at once, so you can perform all these benefits at the same time
- Prevents metastasis
How CBD is used in cancer
Due to the wide range of benefits that this natural supplement called cannabidiol can provide us, the mode of use will depend on what we want to achieve at the time, for example, if what we want is to relieve ailments or side effects of chemotherapies, we can consume it in a specific amount to alleviate these effects.
In the case of wanting to use it for the direct treatment of cancer, we must go to a specialist and present the idea, he or she will decide how the entire process will be and will be in charge of the correct administration.
Although to date there is still a lot of research needed to finish polishing this new treatment used against cancer, its mode of use, in terms of dosage, is very dispersed, however, the book CBD: A Patient's Guide To Medical Cannabis » by Leonard Leinow and Juliana Birnbaum, contains a standard dosage table and a method called escalation, which consists of starting with a low dose of the medication and increasing it in relation to the body's response.
Always consult your doctor!
It is important that if you have a disease of this magnitude such as cancer and want to use CBD to treat the symptoms or reduce their multiplication, you consult with your doctor, who will discuss with you the pros and cons of using this medication, and will help dose you correctly, evaluate adverse reactions, and contraindications.
As well as, he will evaluate the intensity and mode of use of the medication according to the type of cancer for its correct treatment, he will discuss the advantages of using CBD and together you will reach an agreement on the treatment of cancer.
Final opinion
Thanks to all the information provided in this article, we can conclude that CBD as a treatment for cancer, despite having many studies that support it and affirm its benefits, there is still more research needed to solidify this information, however, CBD serves in palliative cancer treatments, as well as as a complement to chemotherapy treatment.
So, we obtain an improvement in the patient's quality of life by alleviating those undesirable side effects of the disease and chemotherapy. In addition to this, CBD, according to numerous studies so far, has shown to have important functions to counteract the form of cancer life.
It reduces their proliferation, preventing the accelerated multiplication of already damaged cells, coordinates apoptosis with autophagy to promote the death of cancer cells.
Real cases of CBD treatment
- A study published by an Israeli doctor named Dr. Ephraim Lansky, which is a very famous case today, is about a cancer patient who came to him with a tumor on his head the size of a golf ball, the doctor determined apply a treatment rich in CBD, administering 1 gram daily orally.
Eight months after taking responsible treatment with cannabis oil, the tumor had shrunk by 75% and the patient's seizures had completely eliminated.
- Another case was published in a documentary called American Drug War 2, which described the case of a child with a brain tumor, this was probably the one that promoted the pediatric cannabis movement.
An article published on October 10, 2013 tells the story of a child patient named Dahlia Barmhart, who at just 3 years old was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After treatment such as chemotherapies and medications that produced debilitating side effects, she underwent a surgery which saved his life, but also caused paralysis on the right side.
Shortly after, the mother found out about research carried out by Dr. McAllister, so after moving, Dahlia began taking approximately one gram of CBD-rich cannabis oil daily, after that the mother's words tell us the result, “I saw almost immediate responses cognitively; "She became a normal 3-year-old girl, after being very serious, almost overnight."
On May 22, 2015 on the cannababies page there was a post that said “Dahlia Strong, Dahlia is doing well and the tumor is stable or maybe even a dead mass.”
- A case was published by a California-based organization called Heavens 2 Betsey on April 9, 2014, which tells the experience of a woman who turned to cannabis oil to help her grandmother who suffered from stage IV breast cancer. , which had metastasized to his lungs and throat.
Even though the doctors said chemotherapy would help, it was only a matter of time before the grandmother passed away. However, the granddaughter, hoping to save her grandmother, helped her with a combination of concentrated oils, pills, tinctures, edibles, topicals. and vaporized oils, all rich in CBD.
Some time after continuing with her medical treatment, chemotherapies and medications to treat side effects such as nausea, the patient continued taking CBD; A new scan surprised the doctors who observed that the largest tumor around her esophagus had completely disappeared, and the small nodules in her lungs had reduced her size considerably.