We all know someone who has been affected by cancer. Perhaps you yourself have recently been diagnosed and are researching what alternative or natural remedies are available. You will quickly find that many claims have been made about the use of cannabis for cancer or even as a treatment! Questions about CBD (cannabidiol) oil and THC will be the first to come to mind. There are many questions related to cannabis and cancer and over the next 20 minutes we will answer the most common ones: How can CBD oil help cancer patients? CBD vs. THC in cancer treatment? Does CBD actually fight cancer? Where can you buy CBD oil for cancer? CBD and cancer treatment.

Table of Contents

• CBD vs. THC for cancer?
• How does CBD work?
• The most common problems in dealing with cancer
• How can CBD oil help cancer patients?
• Pain management with CBD oil
• CBD can help calm your mind!
• Can CBD balm help skin affected by cancer or radiation treatment?
• Better appetite with CBD oil
• Better sleep with CBD oil
• Can CBD actually fight cancer?

CBD vs THC for cancer

The side effects of cancer therapies can often be as debilitating as the cancer itself. We need more research on cannabinoids (the chemical compounds in cannabis) for cancer patients. Strong anecdotal evidence, as well as initial research and longer-term studies from many countries (especially Israel), suggest that CBD can alleviate the side effects of cancer treatment.

Cannabis has hundreds of chemical components, but the two most important are CBD and THC. When it comes to cannabis and cancer, which compound is the best? Learning more about these components and their effects on the symptoms of cancer treatment (and cancer itself) will help you make an informed decision on how to proceed.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) for cancer!

THC can be just as helpful to cancer patients as CBD. Although it can have psychoactive side effects (the “high” commonly associated with marijuana), there are reports that CBD can mitigate these effects. Specifically, THC can be a helpful tool in stimulating appetite. According to a Washington Post article, THC increases ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger. The way THC is ingested has a big impact on how “high” you feel. THC can be vaporized, taken as an oil or capsule. You can also take THC in suppository form, where you do not feel the “high” because it bypasses metabolization in the liver.

THC also helps relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and relieve nausea. In addition, there is some pre-clinical research showing that THC can slow tumor growth, although more research is needed in this area.

CBD (cannabidiol) for cancer.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the ingredient most commonly associated with medical marijuana. CBD, unlike THC, does not cause intoxication. A paper published in the Journal of Pain Management looked at the use of medical cannabis in cancer patients, providing relief from symptoms such as..:

Vomiting and nausea.
Loss of appetite.
Pain
The study showed that CBD helps cancer patients relieve pain, inhibit inflammation, reduce nausea, and improve sleep.

However, while many patients use CBD-only products to treat cancer symptoms, other options may provide stronger results.

How does CBD work?

All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). It was discovered in the 1990s and is considered one of the most important and extensive receptor systems for maintaining good health and has been recognized as an important modulator of brain, endocrine, and immune tissue function.

Recent science has found that the ECS responds not only to endogenous cannabinoids, but also to external phyto-cannabinoids or CBD as a means of enhancing endogenous ECS function.

Within the ECS, there are CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body. These neurons are a lock of sorts, with cannabinoids serving as the key. CB1 receptors are found in large numbers in the brain. CB2 receptors are most abundant in the spleen, tonsils, thymus, and immune cells. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in homeostasis (internal balance in the body).

The most common problems when dealing with cancer?

When you receive a diagnosis of cancer, you are faced with a multitude of issues. Besides the medical and logistical details, the biggest concerns are fear of death, disfigurement, pain, disability, addiction, abandonment, and relationship problems. Some of the most common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment are:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Cancer pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Sleep problems.
• Hair loss.

How can CBD oil help cancer patients

In short, CBD creates a homeostasis that restores your amazing body to its original youthful ability to heal itself. As we age, environmental factors, our diet, and our mental health throw off the balance in our bodies. This happens on many different levels, such as cellular and psychological. When we are “unbalanced” we lose the ability to heal, and this leads to inflammation and disease. Experts believe that inflammation is the cause of 75% of the most common diseases.

This is where CBD (cannabidiol) oil comes in. Taking CBD creates homeostasis and helps our endocannabinoid system make our own cannabinoids to restore the ability to heal. So, in fact, it’s not the CBD that does the trick. It is yourself and your body.

Of course, when we are dealing with cancer patients, it is crucial to avoid all external toxins and other disruptive factors to the healing process. A positive mind, a healthy diet free of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol, adequate deep sleep, and as much exercise in nature as possible are a crucial part of your recovery. You want to give your body all the tools it needs to heal and fight cancer.

Pain management with CBD oil?

Receptors are tiny proteins attached to your cells. They receive signals, mostly chemical, from various stimuli and help your cells respond.

This response produces pain-relieving effects that help with pain management. This means that CBD oil and other products could help people with cancer-related pain.

A 2018 study looked at how well CBD works for chronic pain. The review looked at studies conducted between 1975 and March 2018. These studies looked at different types of pain, including:

Cancer pain, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia.
Based on these studies, the researchers concluded that CBD is effective in general pain management and does not cause negative side effects.

Some people with cancer use CBD. Most human studies have examined the role of CBD in treating pain associated with cancer and cancer treatment.

In a 2010 study of cancer-related pain, study participants received oral sprays of a combined THC-CBD extract. The extract THC-CBD was used in conjunction with opioids. This study found that use of the extract provided more effective pain relief than opioids alone.

A 2013 study of THC and THC-CBD in oral spray form came to a similar conclusion. Many researchers from the 2010 study also collaborated on this study. More evidence is still needed.

If you are suffering from severe cancer-related pain, we recommend a potent CBD oil to help relieve the pain. A 40% full spectrum CBD oil would be a good starting point to replenish your endocannabinoid system. Make sure you get it from a reputable supplier. If you are new to CBD, we have a free e-book on how to get started consuming CBD oil.

CBD to help relax my mind

A hundred questions pop up with a cancer diagnosis, and it can be mentally overwhelming to deal with it all. Your mind races and everything is confusing. This can lead to sleepless nights, anxiety, and possibly depression.

CBD has a calming effect on your brain WITHOUT and gets you “high” like THC does.

The Permanente Journal published a study reporting that 79% of participants experienced a reduction in their anxiety levels. These preliminary findings on the positive effects of CBD have prompted mental health advocates to consider CBD as a remedy for anxiety.

Although CBD’s mode of action for treating anxiety is not yet fully understood, this has not stopped millions of people who need relief from their symptoms from using CBD.

Studies show that CBD may have the potential to be a fast-acting antidepressant. It is believed to work similarly to antidepressants by affecting your brain’s chemical receptor response to serotonin, the chemical that helps regulate anxiety, happiness, and mood.

CBD does not increase serotonin levels, but it does have a slight effect on how the brain responds to the serotonin already in your body.

CBD balm to help skin affected by cancer or radiation treatment?

Cancer treatment can affect your skin, hair and nails. Often the skin problems caused by cancer treatment are not severe, but they can be uncomfortable and noticeable. You may be struggling with the visible changes or symptoms caused by a skin condition.

Skin rashes.
Skin rashes can be a side effect of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transplant. You might get a rash that looks like acne or measles.

Dry and itchy skin.
Dry skin is called xerosis and itchy skin is called pruritus. This side effect may be more common if you are fighting blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Dry and itchy skin is also very common with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplant.

Photosensitivity.
Some types of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplant can increase the skin’s sensitivity to light. This is called photosensitivity.

Nail changes.
Cancer treatments can cause your nails to lift, break, or develop light or dark streaks or ridges. The cuticles surrounding your nails may also swell and become red and painful.

Radiation therapy-related skin problems.
When radiation therapy is used on cancer cells, it also affects healthy skin cells. This can cause the skin to peel, itch, or hurt. Skin damage caused by radiation therapy often starts after 1 or 2 weeks of treatment. They usually improve a few weeks after the end of treatment.

CBD balm for cancer patients

CBD ointments, creams, and healing balms can help relieve the aforementioned symptoms. CBD balms have been found to have significant soothing properties. Its strong skin-soothing and skin-normalising effects may help minimise problems associated with skin sensitivity, including redness and reactivity. Research shows that CBD helps normalise the growth of skin cells. Inflammation. CBD is a true wonder drug for fighting inflammation, which means it shows great promise for many skin conditions, including eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis. Trans-dermal CBD relieves pain and inflammation. We do not recommend using a balm or topical ointment on open wounds.

Better sleep with CBD oil

There are several reasons why people have trouble sleeping. It can be due to psychological problems (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder), certain medications, or not being able to turn off the brain.

Although CBD research still has a long way to go, research suggests that CBD can help treat anxiety that contributes to insomnia. In this study conducted by Scott Shannon, MD et al, 72 patients participated. 47 subjects suffered from anxiety, while the remaining 25 suffered from sleep problems. The results showed that taking 25 mg of CBD for the first month did the following:

79.2% of all participants said CBD led to lower levels of anxiety, and 66.7% of all participants said CBD gave them better sleep.

The quality of your sleep will improve with CBD

Another factor that can contribute to insomnia is pain, in whatever form it takes. In a study conducted by Frontiers in Pharmacology, CBD was reported to help relieve pain, which ultimately reduces the discomfort of sleeping. Learn more about how CBD can improve sleep.

Can CBD actually help fight cancer?

There is growing evidence that CBD, THC and other cannabinoids may be effective in killing certain cancer cells. It is interesting to note that CBD seems to work independently and also in conjunction with THC. There are even studies showing that whole plant extracts are more effective than isolates of individual cannabinoids.

Extensive research suggests that CBD is a promising novel complementary cancer therapy, although official studies have not yet led to human trials. However, further research and placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to better understand CBD and its effects on cancer or the interactions between CBD and first-line therapies such as radiation or chemotherapy.

Anecdotally, we have heard and seen many positive outcomes in patients using cannabis (CBD and THC) to treat their cancer.

CBD as cancer prevention
Once you have been declared cancer free, we recommend that you take CBD for at least 6 months. This is to prevent cancer cells from returning and support homeostasis. We recommend 1000mg of CBD/week for 6 months.

The Budwig Center – Alternative Cancer Treatment!
For almost 20 years, the Budwig Center has been helping people fight cancer with natural remedies and treatments. The many positive testimonials have led them to continue to provide the best natural health care based on Dr. Johanna Budwig’s protocol.

They offer a wide range of alternative treatments in a beautiful, professional and comfortable atmosphere where each patient receives personalised and loving care. The doctors at the Budwig Center are knowledgeable and up-to-date with the latest research and technology. Their main goal is not only to help each patient recover from cancer with natural treatments and methods, but also to educate. Dr. Budwig herself was known for taking a lot of time with her patients and educating them on how to take control of their own health. In this way, she strengthened each patient physically, mentally, and spiritually, and this principle continues to be followed at the Budwig Center.

Learn more about the Budwig Center here.

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