Prostate cancer is the second deadliest cancer among men, second only to lung cancer. It is also the second most prevalent cancer among men, behind skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there are nearly 250,000 new cases a year. It attacks approximately 14% of men in their lifetime.
While there are many treatments for prostate cancer, research suggests that CBD may kill its cancer cells. Though the trials are not yet fully verified, the research is fascinating.
What does research show about treating prostate cancer with CBD?
CBD has already been shown to help people undergoing chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment. It stops nausea and helps with many mental health symptoms. It has been used since the 1970s in this way.
Early studies show that CBD can help to treat prostate cancer by killing cancerous cells. So far, the experiments have only been conducted on cells in a laboratory, but the early findings are promising.
Studies are now being conducted to look at the effect of cannabinoids on cancer cells themselves. Two main cannabinoids are being investigated. They are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). Studies have already found that cannabinoids may stop prostate cancer cells from growing and dividing, cause the cells to die, and stop them from invading other tissues and from spreading.
The studies show that CBD can kill cancer cells, which reduces the size of prostate cancer tumors. To understand how that works, we must look at what makes cancer cells dangerous. Every cell in our body has a limited life expectancy. It is born, it reproduces, and it dies. This ensures that our body is made up of new cells. The problem is when cells don’t die. A cancer cell is a cell with a mutation in its DNA. This mutation multiplies very quickly without dying. When these cells are not stopped, they continue, reproducing without dying, creating tumors and other problems in the body.
In 2012, two different studies showed that CBD caused cell apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. They found these results when observing the effects of CBD on cell cultures, and mice with prostate cancer. The conclusion the scientists reached was that CBD has the potential in treating prostate cancer even in humans.
The problem is, of course, that the studies were not conducted on humans. Logically, it is difficult to conduct such a study when the outcome could potentially end in death if the treatment proves to be ineffective. These men need real treatment. However, the scientists conducting both studies argue that their findings merit starting a clinical trial testing CBD’s effectiveness on men with prostate cancer.
CBD’s effects on those undergoing chemotherapy
For now, because we are still in the early stages of research, it is highly unlikely that CBD will be used on its own very shortly. Many doctors, however, will still prescribe it alongside traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. It has been demonstrated that CBD can reduce the painful side effects of these treatments. People undergoing chemical and radiation treatments for any type of cancer, including the prostate, often experience severe nausea. This side-effect is dangerous because patients tend not to feed themselves properly. CBD oil has been proven to reduce nausea and vomiting.
Another side-effect of cancer treatment is pain. The pain from chemotherapy can last for months even after treatment ends. CBD along with THC can be used as a painkiller for most types of pain. In fact, it is found to be safer than other types of painkillers such as NSAIDs and opioids.
There are two main benefits to using CBD alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy:
1. It helps patients deal with the side-effects
of their treatment.
2. It could make treatment more effective causing apoptosis (death) of cancer cells.
CBD improves the mental health of prostate cancer patients
The mental and emotional toll of cancer treatments cannot be overlooked. Being told you have a tumor that may cause your death creates stress and anxiety even in the calmest of individuals. For many, this can turn into depression, which has its side effects and can worsen the illness. When battling prostate cancer, it is important to have a solid support network to help you through the tough moments of diagnosis and treatment. Taking CBD can not only improve physical symptoms associated with treatments but may help you maintain a healthier state of mind. Studies show that CBD has many benefits for mental health, including decreasing anxiety, treating depression, and improving sleep.
Takeaways
Although the research is still in its early stages, it does seem that CBD can be useful in treating prostate cancer. Not only does it kill cancerous cells, but it also fights the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and works to improve the mental health of cancer sufferers. We’re hoping to see a lot more studies on CBD, THC, and prostate cancer in the future.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with prostate cancer (or other cancers) and you would like more information on CBD and THC cancer treatment, contact Miracle Leaf of Naples at 239.935.8998 or visit their website at www.wellnesscenternaples.com.
Schedule an appointment to see if you qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card, please call 239-935-8998 or visit MiracleLeafNaples.com.