CBD and cancer: can cancer be treated with cannabidiol?

Over the past 30 years, there has been an increase in the overall number of new cancer cases in France every year. While the treatments offered are generally effective, they come with a large number of side effects which impact on the patient’s quality of life. This is why more and more patients are looking for non-toxic solutions to fight cancer. And among these natural and less aggressive solutions is cannabidiol (CBD). Known for its soothing, analgesic, and anti-psychotic properties, CBD is believed to reduce the symptoms of cancer treatments. So, do CBD and cancer go well together? You’ll find the answer in this article!

CBD and cancer: a reminder of definitions and principles

CBD or cannabidiol

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the active ingredients of the cannabis plant, cannabinoids. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most well-known active ingredient because of its psychotropic effects. However, the two substances should not be confused as they deliver very different results: CBD does not induce intoxication or addiction. Additionally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD can be considered a safe and healthy substance for the body. Because of its lack of psychoactive effects, CBD is a natural solution which allows you to benefit from hemp’s properties without losing self-control: this is why it is called medical cannabis.

Cancer

Cancer is caused by the growth of abnormal cells within a tissue. It is a change in the genetic material that cannot be repaired or destroyed by the immune system. UV rays, smoking, and chemicals directly damage cells. Some people are also more vulnerable due to hereditary factors. An abnormal cell (known as the initiator) can subdivide indefinitely and develop into a mass of tissue: this is a tumour. Cancer cells can spread throughout the body, which is indicative of the progress of the disease. Metastases can gradually penetrate neighbouring tissues and spread.  Therefore, all organs can be affected by cancer.

Why is there interest in the effects of CBD on cancer?

A legal alternative following the example of medical cannabis

Cancer and tumours are among the most deadly diseases in the world for humans. Chemotherapy is usually used to combat the disease. However, thanks to medical cannabis’ recent arrival on the market, opportunities are gradually opening up for an alternative and complementary treatment to chemotherapy. Cannabis produces cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. The former is prohibited in France, while the latter is legal under certain conditions. CBD for cancer would therefore be a credible alternative to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, without side effects for the patient’s health.

Positive action on the nervous, endocannabinoid, and immune systems

The point is that we all have cancer cells in our bodies: they just don’t grow when we are healthy. The human body is composed of an endocannabinoid system, which in turn is composed of 2 major receptors: CB1 and CB2. Many clinical studies have shown that these two receptors influence the central nervous system and the immune system. The use of CBD would activate these receptors to help the body repel external elements which are harmful to health (in this case, cancer cells). 

Therapeutic use of CBD for cancer

A reduction in side effects…

On average, nearly 150,000 deaths per year are attributed to cancer worldwide. Treating cancer with cannabis and CBD is based on their therapeutic properties: they alleviate the patients’ symptoms of cancer and improve quality of life when undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The main side effects include nausea, vomiting, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. The benefits of CBD include its anti-depressant and relaxing properties. 

... and it slows the spread of cancer

CBD could accelerate the programmed destruction of harmful mutated cells by promoting the formation of ceramides, and only these malignant cells would be destroyed! In contrast, chemotherapy makes no differentiation between healthy and cancerous cells. This leads to a deterioration of the immune system, with many adverse effects. The use of CBD for cancer can thus help reduce the spread of cancer cells in the following conditions:

• lung cancer;
• skin cancer;
• breast cancer;
• bladder cancer;
• colon cancer;
• brain cancer;
• leukaemia and tumours.

The benefits of CBD in cancer

As a supplement for more traditional medical solutions, taking CBD for cancer may:

• Reduce nausea: its anti-nausea and anti-emetic effects improve patients’ quality of life when undergoing chemotherapy.
• Reduce stress and anxiety: it regulates dopamine and serotonin (commonly known as the happiness hormones) to help patients suffering from anxiety or depression. 
• Relieve pain: it reduces neuropathic pain.
• Stimulate appetite: it interacts with the endocannabinoid system to regulate appetite and prevent weight loss.
• Reduce inflammation: it reduces swelling (especially in the feet and hands).

Can CBD and chemotherapy/radiotherapy be combined?

CBD’s anti-cancer properties therefore seem to be promising. But can traditional tumour treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, be combined with cannabidiol consumption without risk? Although scientific studies are still needed to definitively prove the benefits of CBD on cancer, it could be used to complement chemotherapy. The survival rate of patients would then be considerably improved. CBD is said to have a great potential to weaken cancer cells, which would then make them more susceptible to destructive radiation. In general, cannabinoids are thought to increase the efficacy of treatments in that they weaken the repair mechanism of cancer cells: they are then easier to eliminate later.

Can cannabinoids cure cancer?

CBD and cancer

Currently, no scientific studies state that CBD cures cancer: clinical trials on a large number of control patients not receiving any other treatment must be carried out to support this theory. Cannabidiol is currently being tested as a complementary treatment, not as a treatment in its own right. In addition, most studies use highly concentrated and pure CBD, sometimes containing higher doses of THC than is legal for sale and consumption in France. For example, an 80 year old woman with lung cancer who refused medical treatment reportedly regressed her tumour by taking CBD orally 2-3 times a day. However, she consumed an oil containing 19.5% THC, 20% CBD and 24% tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). In France, a CBD product cannot exceed a concentration of 0.2% THC.

Cannabis and cancer

Cannabis is also very often associated with cancer, as this disease is directly linked with chemotherapy. The use of medical cannabis (in different forms) is now widespread. Cannabinoids to alleviate the adverse effects of chemotherapy are consumed in the form of products with a high concentration of THC, combined with CBD. Again, this is a combination of THC and CBD. Using CBD alone to treat cancer is out of the question.

Which CBD products should cancer patients use?

Precautions

Whether treating diseases such as cancer or any other disease, you should always choose high quality products: it is recommended that you choose full spectrum extracts to get the benefits of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids or terpenes to achieve the entourage effect. Before taking CBD to help combat cancer, we advise that you speak with a doctor or healthcare professional to ensure that you have no contraindications to taking cannabidiol.

CBD oils or e-liquids

To alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing, we recommend CBD oils or CBD e-liquids: these are the most convenient forms to of CBD to consume and ensure the correct dose is taken. In order to benefit from CBD’s cancer-fighting properties, place a few drops of oil under your tongue (the exact number of drops depends on your body size and resistance). Hemp oil is applied directly to the oral mucosa for rapid absorption in just a few seconds. However, hemp can taste bitter. If you prefer to consume cannabidiol using an e-cigarette, you can choose an e-liquid (although this is not recommended if you have inflammation or injuries in the mouth or lungs). In this instance, absorption is also rapid.

The Dosage

As mentioned above, there is no single dose for CBD in cancer treatment: each person is different and will not react in the same way to the same dose of CBD. Always start with a relatively low dose, and gradually increase until you get the relief and benefits you’re looking for. Although the risk of overdosing is low, be sure to find the perfect CBD dose for your needs (depending on your level of pain and illness). For your reference, one drop of oil with 5% CBD corresponds to 1.7 mg of CBD, while one drop of oil with 10% CBD corresponds to 5 mg of CBD. So be aware of your product’s concentration!

The CBD Farm: the highest quality CBD

At The CBD Farm, we sell quality CBD products to suit all your needs. Our CBD oils are formulated using organically grown hemp, without fertilisers or pesticides. Full spectrum, benefit from all the active ingredients of legal cannabis (terpenes and other cannabinoids) to maximise your CBD’s efficacy against cancer. Each product is accurately labelled to allow you to calculate the amount of cannabidiol you consume reliably and accurately. It is safe to use. Flowers, capsules, sweets, infusions, oils, and liquids: we have the product that will effectively relieve your symptoms to increase your chances of recovery and restore a better quality of life.

CBD and cancer: a ray of hope

One should not be too quick to jump to conclusions about the effects of CBD on cancer: most studies are based on higher (and pure) concentrations of CBD than can legally be found on the market. However, the results remain promising and a future cannabidiol-based cancer treatment could be developed. This compound provides a mild treatment for affected patients, with very few (if any) undesirable side effects. The psychoactive effects of cannabidiol are believed to destroy cancer cells, so it perfectly complements conventional cancer treatments. We just have to wait for research to progress!