CBD + CANCER

HOW TO SHOP FOR CBD

CBD can be derived from both hemp and cannabis plants, but you’ll need to live in an area with legal medical or adult-use cannabis if you’re hoping to acquire cannabis-derived CBD. All cannabis-derived products must be bought and sold in a legal, state-licensed dispensary. These products are all required to be subject to various state-mandated tests for both cannabinoid content as well as impurities and residual compounds from fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, molds, and more.

Since the hemp markets are largely unregulated at this time, and the FDA has only approved a single use case for their sole approved CBD supplement, Epidiolex, the hemp industry runs rampant with “snake oil” salesmen. Some products contain legitimate quantities of cannabinoids, as advertised, while others may not have any included at all.

With CBD’s increased availability, more and more patients are testing the waters to see what cannabinoids can help with their ailments, illnesses, and symptoms thereof. CBD, or cannabidiol, has infiltrated everywhere from the local dispensaries and smoke shops to nearby Natural Grocers and Whole Foods markets. While products containing CBD and hemp-derived cannabinoids abound, how do you know which products actually contain CBD and what those products can do for you? When it comes to cancer, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence supporting cannabinoid use as part of treatment. Studies are beginning to back this information up. In this article, we’ll dive into the potential that CBD has with regard to cancer treatment, examine research to date, and give you information on identifying legitimate products for use.

CBD’S TREATMENT POTENTIAL

While studies are slowly on the rise, 1 anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the commonly used applications 2 for CBD products could also benefit those with cancer during their treatment. CBD products are used globally for inflammation, pain reduction, neuropathy, topical analgesics, appetite stimulation, 3 anxiety relief, and even help sleeping. Many of these help with the symptoms of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, that can affect appetite, ability to sleep, pain management, and anxiety related to your diagnosis. Additionally, CBD has started to be used in post-cancer treatment 4 regimens for PTSD, post-cancer pain, insomnia, and helping to maintain overall homeostasis within the endocannabinoid system. According to the National Cancer Institute, “The potential benefits of medicinal Cannabis for people living with cancer include antiemetic effects, appetite stimulation, pain relief, and improved sleep. Although few relevant surveys of practice patterns exist, it appears that physicians caring for cancer patients in the United States who recommend medicinal Cannabis do so predominantly for symptom management. A growing number of pediatric patients are seeking symptom relief with Cannabis or cannabinoid treatment, although studies are limited.” 5

A QUICK NOTE ON THC & THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT

When the 2018 Farm Bill passed, it specifically legalized hemp and hemp-derived products so long as they contained no more than 0.3% THC. This is considered the legal threshold, and some states have restricted or broadened this requirement. While hemp plants primarily produce other cannabinoids, there is a small amount of THC produced naturally, just as CBD is produced in small amounts in high-THC cannabis cultivars. Studies have shown that CBD works best when in the presence of THC and other cannabinoids, even in very small doses. If your area allows, choosing cannabis and hemp products that have as much of the spectrum of natural cannabinoids as possible (including THC), may offer the most benefits.

If you live in an area with legal access to products that contain cannabinoids like CBD, talk to your doctor about how adding a CBD regimen could make a difference in your quality of life and the effects it could have on any treatment you are undergoing. While testimonials from patients and success stories are great, in a largely unregulated hemp market, it’s best to be careful with which products and claims you trust. Stick to tested, legal products and don’t be afraid to ask a doctor, pharmacist, or local herbalist for assistance.

CBD SHOPPING TIPS

Buy from a trusted source. Your local gas station is probably not your first stop for legitimate medical products. They may have them, but your best bet is to start at a licensed dispensary that tests their products, a national chain that must abide by both federal and local laws, or a brand that you recognize from other legitimate marketplaces.

Make sure that your CBD product has verifiable testing information. All legitimate products will have a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and/or lab test results. Check to see if these test results vary from batch to batch (they should). If they don’t, the company is likely using the same test results for every product, an inaccurate and potentially unsafe method of labeling.

Look at the labels. Does the label smear when it gets wet? Does it have a UPC (that you can plug into your favorite search engine and check against other records)? Does it have required FDA warnings? Does it appear to be tampered with? Brands that are producing legitimate products will be abiding by all applicable laws to the best of their ability, including following best practices for labeling of supplements and consumer goods.

Is more information available about the brand, product, or retail location? If the brand or product has no website, no social presence, and/or no actual contact information for you to follow up with them, that product is likely a risky option. Choose CBD retailers that make it easy to speak with someone, learn more about the product, and see what employees and other customers are saying.

Avoid any product that claims to be “Full Spectrum” and “Zero THC”. By definition this is a misnomer. You may have noticed many products that claim to be full-spectrum; these products, by definition, should contain every cannabinoid in the hemp plant, including small trace amounts of THC. Any product claiming to be full-spectrum and contain zero THC is falsely advertising their products. Alternatively, broad-spectrum CBD products may contain only a selection of CBD.

Referencecs: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852356/ ”The current state and future perspectives of cannabinoids in cancer biology.” Śledziński, Paweł et al. “The current state and future perspectives of cannabinoids in cancer biology.” Cancer medicine vol. 7,3 (): 765-775. Feb 23, 2018. 2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476 Grinspoon, Peter. “Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don’t.” Harvard Health Blog. August 24, 2018. 3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324745.php Chun, Christina. “CBD for cancer: Everything you need to know.” MedicalNewsToday. March 19, 2019. 4. https://www.curetoday.com/community/bonnie-annis/2019/04/fighting-post-cancer-pain-cbd-worked-for-me Annis, Bonnie. “Fighting Post-Cancer Pain: CBD Worked for Me.” Cancer Updates, Research & Education. April 5, 2019. 5. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-p “Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version.” NIH National Cancer Institute. June 18, 2019.