Benefits of Cannabis for Cancer Patients

The form of cannabis most patients take to help with their cancer is cannabidiol (CBD). It is one of the many compounds of the cannabis plant. It helps manage some cancer symptoms and side effects of the treatment. 

It is important to note that cannabidiol is different from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a different compound that causes a high when you smoke or ingest it. Also, note that many studies support the use of cannabis therapies in cancer treatments. It helps cancer patients in so many ways.

Relieving Pain

Cancer and its treatment can be painful. Patients experience pain due to inflammation and the pressure cancer causes on internal organs. The most severe pain is due to nerve injury. Doctors prescribe powerful, pain-relieving medications or opioids to their patients. As patients continue treatment with opioids, the body becomes resistant to them. 

Cannabis, however, does not just act on the central nervous system but also the immune system. It acts indirectly on the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This helps with pain resulting from nerve damage. It also gives widespread pain relief while at the same time reducing inflammation.

Neuropathy

Neuropathy is numbness, weakness, or pain due to nerve damage. Certain complications of cancer or cancer treatments can cause or worsen neuropathy. Studies show that cannabis can help deal with the symptoms of neuropathy. It helps improve the patient’s quality of life so they can go about their activities.

Reducing Nausea

Chemotherapy causes patients regular nausea and vomiting. Doctors use drugs for treating motion sickness to help relieve nausea and vomiting. However, these drugs or antiemetic therapy does not work for everyone. Thus, some patients will opt for cannabis products to relieve nausea and vomiting. 

The administration of these products is by mouth, oral spray, and inhalation. But the products are not for use by children, although there is a growing interest in finding ways to treat children with the same symptoms.

Stimulating Appetite

Cancer patients also experience a loss of appetite in addition to nausea and vomiting. It makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. It also does not help supply the body with the nutrients it needs for healing to take place. 

Ingesting some cannabis products helps stimulate appetite. The products absorb directly into the bloodstream and help with increasing appetite. The result is healthy weight gain, helping the patient have a positive attitude towards their healing journey.

Lower Risk of Side Effects

There are cannabinoid receptors in the brain. These receptors do not act the same way drug receptors do. For this reason, cannabis has a lower risk of side effects than those a patient experiences when on medication. 

There are also no lethal doses of cannabis. The case is different from the traditional medication doctors use to manage pain. Opiates also affect the respiratory function in the central nervous system, while cannabis does not.

For more information on the use of cannabis for cancer patients, visit WellGreen Cannabis at our offices in Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and Bunnell, Florida. You can also call (386) 585-4866 to schedule an appointment today.