Currently, there is a lot of information about the use of cannabis extracts, both THC and CBD, in cancer treatment. Therefore, many cancer patients try to purchase cannabis extracts for self-use, hoping for therapeutic effects.
Today, we will clarify whether CBD cannabis extract can be used to treat cancer? How to use it? Is there enough evidence or research? Including what relatives and cancer patients should know about CBD.
Interesting Topics
- Does CBD cannabis extract really cure cancer?
- Cancer patients and the use of medical cannabis extracts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Can cancer patients drink beverages containing cannabis extracts?
- Is it safe for cancer patients to buy and use cannabis oil?
Does CBD cannabis extract really cure cancer?
The use of CBD cannabis extract (Cannabinoids) to treat cancer or inhibit the growth of cancer cells currently lacks academic evidence or research documents that definitively prove it can cure cancer. Therefore, further research on the efficacy of CBD is necessary.
In cases where relatives or patients encounter information about cannabis treating cancer or cannabis being able to inhibit the growth of various cancer cells, causing confusion, such information is actually preliminary data from some research groups still at the experimental stage and requires further study before being seriously used for cancer treatment.
The current use of medical cannabis for cancer patients mentioned is for symptom relief, not aimed at directly treating or fighting cancer cells.
Therefore, cancer patients should still receive treatment according to current standard medical methods and should not turn to illegally sold cannabis products or believe advertisements from sellers, as this may cause patients to miss the opportunity for effective cancer treatment by standard methods.
Cancer patients and the use of medical CBD cannabis extract
The use of cannabis extract in cancer patients medically is mainly for symptom relief as mentioned. Cancer treatment methods include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or oral medications, all of which are currently the most effective methods.
The choice and sequence of treatment depend on individual assessment by the doctor, based on the patient’s condition, type, and stage of cancer. Some patients receiving chemotherapy may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or insomnia. Therefore, doctors may consider using CBD cannabis extract in the form of cannabis oil alongside current treatments to reduce side effects from chemotherapy.
Currently, Phyathai Nawamin Hospital uses cannabis extract mainly in palliative care patients, including terminal cancer patients, to improve quality of life, such as:
- Used to reduce nausea and vomiting, helping to alleviate suffering from chemotherapy by reducing nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
- Used to reduce pain in cancer patients who often experience various pains causing suffering. Cannabis extract helps reduce such pain.
- Used to reduce neuropathic pain. Nerve pain is one of the side effects of chemotherapy. Using cannabis extract can help reduce nerve pain in cancer patients.
- Used to help increase appetite. Chemotherapy not only causes nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and joint pain but also reduces appetite in cancer patients. Cannabis extract helps patients eat more.
Note: When chemotherapy is stopped, doctors may consider stopping or reducing the amount of cannabis oil used for the best benefit in the cancer treatment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can cancer patients drink beverages containing cannabis extracts?
As is well known, cannabis extracts have been developed into beverages, including food menus containing cannabis ingredients sold generally, such as cannabis noodle soup, cannabis brownies, cannabis-infused tea drinks. Initially, it is not recommended for patients to consume these because the ingredients or preparation methods may not be known, and the amount of cannabis extract may exceed legal limits. Purchasing and consuming these may cause more harm to patients during treatment.
2. Is it safe for cancer patients to buy and use cannabis oil?
Some cancer patients buy “cannabis oil” for self-use without consulting a doctor or use amounts beyond what the doctor prescribes, leading to overdosing, which is very dangerous. It can cause rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, risk of shock or heart failure leading to death. In cases where cannabis oil is used as the sole treatment without following modern medical treatment, the risk of death from the disease increases.
