While the legal status of cannabis products is both complex and controversial, such products spark a lot of interest due to the wide range of effects they can cause. The use of marihuana is a source of heated debates. Even though it’s still illegal in most countries, some of them have legalized its recreational consumption, while others look favorably at its medical use.
However, the main focus is on cancer and cannabis oils. Cannabis oils are considered to be relatively safe and are recognized for their healing benefits. Meanwhile, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Unsurprisingly, scientists try to find the most effective treatment method, and some of them see huge potential in cannabis oils. Experts from Las Vegas strip dispensary have prepared answers for all the burning questions regarding cannabis oils and their potential cancer-curing features. If you want to learn more about it, keep on reading!
What are the differences between Cannabis Oils?
Cannabis oils may vary when it comes to the percentage of the active compounds - THC and CBD. CBD oil is a non-psychoactive cannabis product that doesn’t contain THC. This one is valued for its therapeutic effects, including alleviating side effects of chemotherapy, anxiety, and pain. Hemp-derived oil doesn’t comprise of THC as well, but CBD it contains is of much lower quality. Marijuana-derived oil and Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) both contain THC and, as a result, have psychoactive effects.
Are cannabis oils Legal?
All cannabis products have a problematic legal status, and sometimes it’s difficult to keep up with all the new laws and regulations. On the national level, the recreational use of cannabis is still illegal. However, state laws vary.
Some states have legalized it, some have decriminalized it, and some have legalized the use of cannabis (CBD) for medical purposes. As of 2020, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana. The remaining 17 states have passed laws regarding the legal use of CBD extract (with zero to less than 0.3% THC), usually in oil form. Nevertheless, all CBD products must undergo an FDA review process if they’re intended for medical use.
How can you use them?
Usually, you’ll be able to purchase cannabis oils in the form of concentrated liquid extracts. They vary in ratios and chemicals. However, if you buy from a reputable seller, you’ll have them listed on the bottle. You can ingest your cannabis oil in a number of ways. You can apply a couple of drops directly to the tongue and swallow.
The oil may taste bitter, so to mask the flavor, you may try adding it to your tea or other beverages. Some cannabis oils can be vaped. For that, however, you’ll need a vape pen designed for cannabis consumption. Moreover, it can irritate your lungs, so if you have lung cancer, vaping cannabis oils is not advisable. Furthermore, experts still haven’t established what the long-term effects of vaping are, so you might want to stick to the “traditional” way.
Can cannabis oils cure cancer?
Although there’s still no definite answer, scientists managed to find promising evidence. Let’s start by explaining the key term: apoptosis. It’s a natural process in the body and a form of programmed cell death that balances cell division. Cancer cells are known to grow and divide rapidly and uncontrollably. Active cannabis compounds are seemingly able to bind with receptors within the endocannabinoid system, which helps in modulating cell growth and death.
Usually, this system is overwhelmed by cancer cells, which continue to spread throughout the body. CBD signals the receptors and helps in signaling an antitumorigenic warning. Thus, it impairs cancer development. Tests on rodents show that different cannabinoids can stop cells from dividing, cause cells to die, or stop cells from developing new blood vessels needed by tumors to grow.
However, some studies have also found that cannabinoids can damage important blood vessels and, in some cases, facilitate the growth of cancer cells. Another research question was whether using cannabis increases the risk of developing cancer.
The results were inconclusive: some research has shown that cannabis use may protect against cancer, while other studies proved it increases the risk of cancer. Due to the mixed results, further research is needed to fully approve or ban the use of cannabis in cancer treatment.
Are there any benefits?
While experts still have to work on producing decisive results regarding the positive correlation between cannabis oils and cancer remission, they proved that there are several advantages of cannabis oil use in cancer treatment.
Cannabis oils, including THC and CBD products, can help manage some side effects of conventional cancer treatment, i.e., pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and reduced appetite. What’s more, research regarding lung cancer proved that cannabis oils could alleviate some of the symptoms, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, nerve pain, nausea, and headaches.
What about the side effects?
Overall, cannabis oils are considered to be relatively safe. However, there are reports regarding the side effects of those derived from marijuana, so those that contain THC. Besides psychoactive responses, marijuana-derived oils may cause temporary psychological side effects (including paranoia, hallucinations, anxiety, or disorientation), and physical side effects (bloodshot eyes, increased appetite, slower reaction time, impaired motor control, memory issues, etc.)
When it comes to CBD oils, they’re known not to cause any significant side effects. However, when people do have them, they usually report fatigue, stomach upset, or diarrhea.
The bottom line
Even though there’s no conclusive evidence that cannabis oils can cure cancer, their potential is undeniable, and there’s still a lot to learn, with ongoing research around the world. If you decide to purchase cannabis oil for yourself, make sure your source is reliable and be wary of fraudsters. Always let your medical team know if you choose to add CBD oil to your treatment process.