Cancer has touched nearly every American, either directly or through a loved one. Cancer develops when human cells begin to grow out of control and continuously produce new cells. Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death globally, and treatment is often time-consuming and costly.1 Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormones and heat.1 Cannabis is now considered to be a successful aid to these treatment methods. Cannabis contains approximately 85 known types of cannabinoids which consist of active chemicals that create a drug like effects within the human body. In studies conducted by the American Cancer Society, it was discovered that cannabis was helpful in treating nausea and vomiting, often caused
Nevertheless, it is proven fact marijuana frequently contributes aid to the struggles which accompany several severe illnesses. For example, marijuana treats the side effects of the treatment of AIDS. Vomiting and nausea are significantly reduced, as well as appetites being increased (qtd. in “Marihuana: The Forbidden Medicine”). The substance also assists with intense effects which come from chemotherapy. Constant feelings of nausea are diminished and stomach sensitivity is lessened. Those who have used marijuana, while undergoing cancer treatment, have experienced better results than when using brand name medications. Not only does it help with the effects of treatment, in some cases it stops the disease from progressing or happening (qtd. in “Ibid”). In epilepsy patients who used cannabis, it allowed them to reduce their dosage of other medications and in some cases prevented the epileptic seizure from occurring in other patients (Kubby and Rosenthal 68).
As mentioned above numerous studies have shown the viability of cannabis as a potential cancer treatment. Studies have not only shown how marijuana inhibits tumor growth, cell death, and blocking the development of blood vessels needed by tumors to grow but it also can dramatically improve the quality of life of a cancer
Marijuana has survived the passing of time and still helps the sick today. The advanced stages of treatment for patients with Cancer, AIDS and other diseases often include, terrible nausea, vomiting, and different types of pain. Patients have reported much relief from
On the other hand, cannabis has positive effects, especially if you have a severe illness. These illnesses include cancer, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, and much more. Cannabis has been proven to help combat nausea, and many treatments for cancer, including numerous chemotherapy treatments and radiation, has nausea as one of the top side effects. Many patients who have tried pharmaceuticals did not like the effects they had on them, or sometimes it did not help combat the nausea at all. However, patients who have used cannabis have felt almost an immediate relief of nausea, if smoked or vaporized. This is due to a cannabinoid in cannabis. This cannabinoid is called cannabidiol, or more popularly known as CBD. CBD, when ingested or absorbed, activates a unique compound called
Marijuana, also call “cannabis” is a plant grown all over the world. In the resin of this plant are multiple variations of “cannabinoids”, according to the National Cancer Institute cannabinoids are “active chemicals in cannabis that cause drug like effects throughout the body, including the central nervous system, and the immune system” (National Cancer Institute). This being said many people would argue that anything altering the mental, or cognitive function of an individual should be made illegal, and yet many pharmaceutical drugs, as well as alcohol do just that. One active cannabinoid in cannabis is “cannabidiol” (National Cancer Institute), this cannabinoid can reduce anxiety, pain, and lower inflammation. These effects can even be harnassed without activating the cannibinoids giving the user a “high”. Many cancer patients are exposed to chemotherapy, causing high levels of vomiting and nausea, the effects of cannabidiol could greatly reduce the
Chronic pain is a tremendous public health problem, and a costly one. As health care advances and the need for palliative care rises, patients and health care providers are constantly investigating alternative methods of pain treatment and management. Questioning and challenging traditional health policies and practices has created an interest in the use of cannabis as an alternative option to standard opioids, for the management of chronic pain. Cannabis, or marijuana, is a leafy green plant consisting of buds and leaves of the cannabis sativa forma indica plants. Marijuana has been used in holistic solutions for hundreds of years; it has also been especially prevalent among terminally ill cancer patients, who have been reported using it to alleviate symptoms like chronic pain, nausea and depression.
Medical marijuana has been known for its instrumental role in the treatment of several ailments both physical and psychological. It has been found to play a role in the treatment of chronic pain, muscle spasm, multiple sclerosis, nausea, vomiting, appetite stimulation, stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. The effects of marijuana are produced by the active ingredient found in it - delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Because of these findings according to Hoffmann & Weber (2010) experts in the medical field have had to be revisiting the evidence as it relates to the medicinal benefits of marijuana and the American Medical Association (AMA) has been the driving force behind the petition for marijuana as a ‘Scheduled I controlled substance’ so that further research and development can be done on the plant. Further value is added to the advantages of medical marijuana when regardless of its criminalization, the FDA and American Cancer Society agree that the active ingredients in marijuana, orcannabinoids, have been approved by officials to “highlight increased nausea and vomiting and appetite in people with cancer and AIDS”. The American Cancer Society says that "marijuana has anti-bacterial properties, inhibits tumour growth, and enlarges the airways, which they believe can ease the severity of asthma attacks"
Cancer patients claim that marijuana for medical purposes should be legal in every state because marijuana helps them with their nausea and pain from chemo. The article “Texas should legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes”, talks about how marijuana would contribute to Cancer patients, “Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy often suffer loss of appetite and chronic pain. Marijuana could help to revive patients appetites while reducing nausea and pain.” (Gardner,2010) This part of the article expresses how
Further, there are many proven medical benefits of marijuana. Currently, marijuana is being used to treat glaucoma, and it has been shown to significantly reduce nausea in cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Additionally, people with HIV/AIDS and other terminal illnesses use marijuana to stimulate their appetites and to reduce various side effects of pain medications. Marijuana can also be used for the treatment of pain and muscle spasms in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Scientists report that cannibidiol; one of the chemicals found in marijuana, slows growth of breast cancer cells growing in laboratory dishes, and can even result in shrinkage of cancerous brain tumors in laboratory animals. Evidence for marijuana’s effectiveness in treating, or reducing the symptoms of, arthritis, insomnia, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches and Tourette’s syndrome is also very promising. The most
Marijuana in the medical field has countless usages from dealing with chronic pain to helping cancer patients with nausea. “Two of the most important treatments, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, also cause damage and often, severe vomiting” (McKinley). Cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy are essential in treatments for cancer though it often can result in extreme vomiting in the patients receiving treatments. Medicinal marijuana can help patients with their nausea and vomiting. If the vomiting ceases while using marijuana, the individual’s appetite is sure to increase making it easier for the individuals to sustain an adequate weight as cancer patients are most of the time under weight. “The smoking of cannabis, even long term, is not harmful to
Additionally, medical marijuana could also cure cancer, a vigorous disease that kills many people daily. Research shows that THC is the main cannabinoid associated with marijuana and has been recognized to contain a strong anti-cancer effect. Wai Liu, a researcher discovered that there are numerous less known cannabinoids that may decrease the growth of cancer cells in Leukemia. Liu also found out that because the cannabinoids are not psychoactive, a patient could have the anti-cancer benefits without having the high feeling associated with THC (Bekiempis 1). Thus, marijuana does not target all rapidly dividing cells like the way chemotherapy or radiation does – which leads to weight and hair loss. Rather, the marijuana attacks the cancer (Bekiempis 1). Additionally, medical marijuana has many therapeutic uses. For example, research proves that
Cannabis has cured some Cancer symptoms for many patients, “A number of studies of smoked marijuana found that it can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy...studies have found that inhaled (smoked or vaporized) marijuana can be helpful treatment of neuropathic pain (pain caused by damaged nerves)” ("Marijuana and Cancer." Marijuana and Cancer. Web. 13 Nov. 2015) meaning that inhaling medical marijuana can actually help you with some symptoms that cancer does on your body. “More recently, scientists reported that THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/or cause death in certain types of cancer cells growing in laboratory
It is hard to imagine the day-to-day pain that a cancer patient endures, but one can imagine that any type of relief would be invited from the victim and their families. These poor individuals suffer throughout the day, and unfortunately are in so much discomfort that attempting to live an ordinary life is virtually impossible. Providing people in these conditions with something that will help is almost a no brainer to people looking from the outside in. This is where marijuana can be an effective substitute for the treatments they are already taking. On this drug, many of those going through unbearable pain can function, and begin to appreciate life as they might have before the pain began.
Cancer comes in several types, lung, colon, prostate, brain, etc. and these patients have a tough battle as do all of the patients that have to endure the pain of the disorders and diseases mentioned. But Marijuana produces the best results for individuals with Cancer in my opinion. The most extraordinary result possible for Cancer patients is the result of tumor reduction caused by Marijuana. Regular use of this drug has also been found to reduce pain and nausea related to chemotherapy and radiation. Recent studies reported by AmericansforSafeAccess.org (an organization that supports legalization of medical marijuana) have proven that the “munchies” associated with marijuana helps to control appetite-stimulation properties that help combat Cachexia, or wasting syndrome.
Experts from the National Institute of Health or NIH have confirmed that marijuana is an effective, safe and inexpensive alternative for treating nausea caused by AIDS medications and cancer treatments other such ailments as glaucoma, muscle spasms, intractable pain, epilepsy, anorexia, asthma, insomnia, depression and other disorders (Iversen 23). Other such ailments in which marijuana has been said to help are Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, repetitive migraines, and Alzheimer’s, but the NIH has not reported those results (<a href="http://www.abcnews.go.com/medmj990317.html">http://www.abcnews.go.com/medmj990317.html). The National