Medical marijuana and chemotherapy

Medical Marijuana and Chemotherapy Cannabis has long been praised as having amazing health benefits - specifically for cancer patients and individuals who are going through chemotherapy. While numerous users thank medical marijuana for curing their cancer, the jury is still out on whether or not it is a full-fledged cure. What we do know for sure is that cannabis can complement traditional cancer treatments to provide the most comfort possible for the patient.

What is Chemotherapy?

Most of us have heard of chemotherapy, but might not know exactly what it is or how it works to fight cancer. In simple terms, chemotherapy is a combination of medicine designed to treat cancer. The goal of which is to stop or slow down the growth of cancer cells to either push it into remission or increase life expectancy.

Chemotherapy (or "chemo" for short) is known as "systemic therapy"1 - this means that treatment affects the entire body. In the pursuit of trying to attack cancer cells, chemo often affects healthy cells as well. These effects are as follows: ● Gut flora and cells lining the stomach can also be damaged, resulting in vomiting and nausea. ● Reduction in production of white blood cells that protect the body from infection. ● Reduction in production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the body. Low counts can lead to anemia and fatigue. ● Drop in platelets that help with clotting. Low platelet count can result in bruising and uncontrolled bleeding. ● Hair follicle cells can be damaged, resulting in hair loss.

How Can Cannabis Help?

So how exactly can cannabis improve the wellbeing of chemotherapy patients?

1. Reduce Nausea and Vomiting One of the most common side effects of chemo is overwhelming feelings of nausea, often accompanied by vomiting. This is due to the damage that chemotherapy can have on the stomach lining. From 1975 to present day, studies have reported that cannabis can help with nausea and vomiting and it has been prescribed to manage these symptoms since 1980.

In 1975, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine praised THC noting that no patient in the study suffered vomiting while under the effects of THC. 1

http://www.chemotherapy.com/new_to_chemo/what_is_chemo/

Additionally, in a 1999 report from the Institutes of Medicine noted that pills to manage nausea or vomiting are generally ineffective because they cannot keep them down and they are slow to assist. They concluded that cannabis that could be inhaled was the most advantageous method and preferred vape pens to traditional smoking.

Lastly, The United Patient's Group website states that "there is strong evidence that the cannabinoids naturally produced in the body play a role in suppressing nausea in normal circumstances, and intake of cannabinoids from medical marijuana during episodes of nausea can also effectively relieve symptoms..."

2. Increase Appetite The “munchies” are a fairly well-known association with smoking marijuana. A study published in 20142 by Nature Neuroscience found that as THC is similar to the natural endocannabinoid system, which controls much of the body, it can trick the brain into producing chemicals signalling the body of hunger. Plus, it is said to make us more sensitive to smell of food, which is closely linked to taste.

While this is not always good for regular folks trying to watch their waistline, it is praised by chemotherapy patients who struggle with weight loss. Nausea and vomiting is experienced regularly after treatments, which therefore reduces appetite. When the body does not have enough fuel, it makes it harder to fight illness and manage its systems.

Cancer patients, especially, need all the strength they can get.

A 2011 study published in the Annals of Oncology found that 64% of chemo patients with advanced stage cancer who were given THC had an improved appetite. It also found that 73% of patients experienced greater appreciation for food.

3. Reduce Anxiety There are a lot of stressful things in life, but the word “cancer” definitely tops the list. No one wants to think they have cancer, let alone go through it. It takes a toll on mental and physical health, but fortunately medical marijuana can help by taking the edge off and improving outlook in cancer patients. In fact, a 2012 study revealed that 41.6% of cancer patients were dealing with anxiety and 29.4% suffered from depression.3 Fortunately, cannabis has been praised for its anti-anxiety properties giving it another checkmark on the list of chemo side-effects. The component in cannabis specifically responsible for relieving anxiety is known as CBD as opposed to THC, which creates a high. CBD is said to activate serotonin receptors, which assist with managing mood and anxiety. Additionally, it blocks the breakdown of Anandamide production, which is another natural chemical designed to manage anxiety4.

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https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.3647 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22727334 4 https://www.endoca.com/blog/cannabis-oil/cancer-cannabis-chemo/ 3

Managing emotions and anxiety plays a key-role in helping the patient to cope with the reality of having cancer and the physical toll that chemotherapy can take. After all, a positive mind is the first step to a healthy body and soul.

4. Help Manage Pain Every 1 in 3 patients in cancer treatment experience pain according to the Mayo Clinic; and that number rises as the disease progresses5. Pain can be caused by chemotherapy itself, if there is damage to the nerves, as well as the cancer itself. As tumors grow they often put stress on bones, organs or the surrounding nerves and tissue.

Typically pain is managed by the prescription of painkillers such as morphine, which is an opioid-based solution. As many people are trying to get away from taking opioids, cannabis provides a natural and safer alternative. Cannabis is known to be highly effective at treating both pain and inflammation because it works with the bodies natural endocannabinoid system. In fact, 80% of medical cannabis patients in California reported that cannabis alone was more effective in treating their pain when compared to opioids or a mixture of cannabis and opioids.

Best Strains to Manage Chemo Symptoms?

Depending on the specific chemotherapy side-effect, different marijuana strains may prove more successful.

1. Nausea & Vomiting ● Super Lemon Haze is a great daytime Sativa, which can help manage feelings of nausea and vomiting. This is a potent strain with 25% THC levels resulting in an energetic and euphoric high that is great for getting you through your morning or afternoon. ● Northern Lights is another powerful option for managing nausea with THC levels of 16-21%. This strain is great for evening relief or individuals that have trouble falling asleep due to their symptoms. ● Other alternatives: Blueberry Diesel, Jillybean, God’s Gift, Super Sour Diesel 2. Increase Appetite ● Granddaddy Purple - This is a powerful appetite booster resulting in a mad case of the munchies. This strain has 17-23% THC making it a potent Indica with cerebral euphoria and a hard-hitting body relaxation that lulls you off to sleep with a full stomach. ● Skywalker OG - This strain is a 85% Indica / 15% Sativa hybrid that boasts 2025% THC and 2% CBD. This strain produces a heavy couch-locked feeling and an almost overwhelming case of the munchies. Skywalker OG is also great for managing chronic stress faced by chemotherapy users. ● Other alternatives: Girl Scout Cookies, Pineapple Express, Orange Kush 3. Reduce Anxiety 5

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-pain/art-20045118

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Cannatonic - With THC levels less than 6% and CBD around 6-17%, this strain will result in a happy and relaxed feeling but without the buzz. It is perfect for managing daytime stress. ● One To One - This strain is so named for its 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD. Due to this, One To One results in a very mellow buzz and relaxes the body and energizes the mind. ● Other alternatives: Northern Lights, Granddaddy Purple, Skywalker OG 4. Pain Management ● Chemo Kush - As the name suggests, this strain is designed to help manage symptoms of chemotherapy. This strain originated in Canada and is nicknamed "UBC Chemo". With THC levels of 18-21% this is a potent Indica which is ideal for managing nausea, depression and chronic pain caused by cancer. ● Harlequin - This strain is a high-CBD option that is recommended for daytime relief of anxiety and pain with a minimal “high”. ● Other alternatives: Blackberry Kush, AC/DC, White Widow, Purple Kush There are several suitable strains for sale in our online cannabis dispensary - click here to shop now!

Cannabis is such a great method to manage the side-effects of chemotherapy that it has specifically approved for treatment in dozens of U.S. states.6 In addition, the American Cancer Society sites information about marijuana and how it effects the side-effects of chemotherapy on its website7. Currently 82% of oncologists agree that instead of writing multiple prescriptions to manage the nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, depression and insomnia caused by chemotherapy, they could just write one8.

If you are going through cancer and dealing with the side-effects of chemotherapy, know you are not alone. Countless others are dealing with the same unfortunate situation. Fortunately, medical marijuana is available to help. With the industry growing every day there are more dispensaries and an increase in mail-order marijuana service options to buy cannabis online.

Fair Canna Care is a mail-order marijuana service built by a group of compassionate growers.

We believe that every Canadian deserves access to affordable, high-quality medical marijuana to help with their daily life. We deliver direct to your door, anywhere in Canada. Our discreet, vacuum-sealed packages protect your privacy and make it easy for you to access the medication you need at any time. We promise only the best cannabis at the best prices (up to 70% lower than the market) because our patients are our top priority.

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https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/chemotherapy-side-effects-medical-marijuana-research-overview/ https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternativemedicine/marijuana-and-cancer.html 8 https://herb.co/2017/02/28/cannabis-treat-nausea/ 7