Benefits Of Medical Marijuana For Breast Cancer

May 28, 2020
Posted by edocmmj on

It has been decades’ old debate in patients with severe pain management problems and drug authorities that either Marijuana is also known as “cannabis,” should it be legalized for medical use or not as it is also a potential intoxicant. However, medical marijuana has proved to be really supportive of many breast cancer patients during difficult chemotherapeutic sessions.

 

Breast cancer is most common in women; however, with the help of advanced chemo and radiotherapy, it is treatable in the early stages. Medical Marijuana is not a cure for breast cancer, but yes, it definitely plays an important role in managing side effects and symptoms of treatment.

 

Almost 15.2 % of cases diagnosed every year in The United States. Among other therapies or treatment like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, medical Marijuana is becoming more popular among them. Cannabinoids have the ability to alleviate cancer symptoms. Here we will talk about the benefits of medical Marijuana for breast cancer.

 

How can Marijuana help breast cancer patients if administered medically?

In medical Marijuana, two biologically active compounds are found in it.

1- delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

2- 2- cannabidiol (CBD)

THC is responsible for making you feel high, whereas CBD helps significantly in over coming side effects and pain caused by the medical treatment in breast cancer patients.

THC and CBD have different effects on the human body. THC helps to relieve pain and provides antiemetic properties. Therefore, THC could be used as a pain reliever in cancer patients.

On the other side, if the patient experiences seizures, they can use CBD to manage the symptoms. Cancer is a serious disease that causes anxiety and paranoia, as well as some patients, get depressed mentally or physically to fighting cancer. Therefore, CBD can reduce stress and depression in cancer patients.

Breast cancer patients found marijuana administration overcome with:

  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Pain management.
  • Insomnia.
  • Anxiety.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Inflammation.
  • Inhibit tumor growth.

Defeating depression in a cancer patient is a vital success that THC ad CBD does and also inhibits the growth of tumors. So medical Marijuana is effective for all kind of symptoms which appear during breast cancer.

 

Cannabinoids and Breast cancer

According to research on medical marijuana components, THC and CBD have the ability to stymie the progress of tumors in breast cancer. Animals breast cancer models are used in the treatment, and the results show both estrogen receptor and resistant breast cancer. There is a chance that cannabinoids may work the same way in humans.

 

Things to Consider Before trying medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana is dietary supplements that could be replaced by medication and also be taken along the medicine. You can get advice from your oncologist who has not medical Marijuana but can tell you about the quality products.

 

You must be careful when you use medical Marijuana for breast cancer treatment like it has some side effects such as drowsiness in which you sleep for hours. In the beginning, you may experience euphoria or psychotic episodes. Dryness of the mouth and inhibition of the sublingual salivary glands are two other common side effects but disappear with time.

 

TYPES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AVAILABLE FOR CANCER PATIENTS

Medical Marijuana comes in variety with variable potency and active components; that’s why the side effects of administrating Marijuana could differ from one breast cancer patient to another. You can get medical Marijuana in different forms of administration, such as:

  • Edible ones (cookies, candies, and toffee)
  • Dried Buds or leaves for smoking
  • Oils for aromatherapy.
  • Creams for topical application on targeted areas.
  • Sprays for tongue or gum lines.

 

Still, we have limited data and research between the co- relevancies between side effects of medical Marijuana on breast cancer patients. We are only aware of limited side effects reported such as:

  • Low blood pressure.
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Dizziness.
  • Fainting.
  • Paranoia.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Bloodshot eyes.
  • I.Q
  • Cognitive functions.

Women under treatment don’t want to gain or lose any weights; therefore, they prefer sprays, oils, and topical creams a better option rather than administrating through edible ones.

 

WHAT OTHER DISEASES IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA USED FOR?

  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Epilepsy
  • Schizophrenia
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)
  • Cachexia
  • Anorexia

 

FDA APPROVAL FOR MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA

FDA has approved the medical use of Marijuana for two severe and rare forms of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. There is a huge gap in research on the effects of Marijuana administered medically due to the critical issue of drug abuse; that’s why researchers require a special license to study marijuana drugs.

Recently Epidiolex made from CBD received a lot of attention due to its therapeutic ability for rare and hard seizures. FDA has also approved two cannabinoid-based medicines to treat nausea and headaches due to chemotherapy in cancer patients, known as Dronabinol and Nabilone.

 

HOW TO GET PRESCRIBED MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

  1. You are living in one of the states that have legalized the use of prescribed use of medical Marijuana.
  2. You need a written recommendation from a licensed florida marijuana doctor.
  3. You must have certain conditions to qualify for Medical Marijuana.
  4. Every state has its different terms and conditions for patients to qualify to use medical Marijuana.
  5. You might also be required to get a medical marijuana I.D card.
  6. Once you get the card, you can buy medical Marijuana from any medical marijuana store, also known as a dispensary.

 

 

IMPORTANT THINGS TO TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION BEFORE ADMINISTRATING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

  • Always inform your doctor if you are using any over the counter vitamins or supplements.
  • Medical Marijuana in Florida is not covered by insurance. It might cost you up to 100$ per month.
  • Medical marijuana can be expensive and not affordable to you.
  • THC and CBD are present in different strains of medical Marijuana with varying proportions.
  • CBD helps with pain, whereas THC helps more with nausea.
  • As a patient, you need to do your own research on THC and CBD ratio depending on your side effects through trial and error.
  • You will be required to visit different medical marijuana dispensaries until you find the one you are most comfortable one with the staff members there and can have all your queries answered regarding medical Marijuana.
  • Expert doctors who regularly prescribe medical marijuana have listed down a few questions you need to ask the dispensaries’ staff before asking them about the side effects.
  1. Were pesticides used to grow this Marijuana?
  2. Is Marijuana stored properly to avoid spoilage?
  3. Was the Marijuana tested for fungus and bacterial contamination? What were the results?
  4. Is Marijuana tested for pesticide levels?
  5. How much past expertise and training you have in recommending medicinal Marijuana?
  6. Have you worked with breast cancers before? Any case studies?
  7. Some oncologists recommend patients to buy medical-grade cannabis from dispensaries instead of going to the outlet for recreational users.
  8. Always check your medical marijuana policy for employers.
  9. If you are a part of a medical trial, try coordinating with your doctor before administrating Medical Marijuana. All Natural Health Certifications.