Cannabis ‘Dramatically Reduces’ Growth of Brain Cancer Cells: New Study
Cannabis has already been proven to treat cancer anecdotally in many people – some with leukemia, others with lymphoma. But what’s gaining the most spotlight is how cannabis is able to eradicate brain cancer. In a recent study, researchers at the University of London have found that cannabis helps to ‘dramatically reduce’ the growth of new brain cancer cells.
The research showed that two active chemical components found in cannabis plants, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), helped in the treatment of cancerous brain tumors. This is one of the most difficult types of cancer to treat effectively, and the rate of survival for patients who get brain cancer is often very low. For many – once they receive a diagnosis – they are given a short five years to live; any hope of living after their prognosis is given a mere 10% chance. Those are some stark statistics.
It’s promising that a team of researchers was able to treat brain tumors in mice in a variety of ways, either without any treatment, using the cannabinoids alone, using irradiation alone, or with the cannabinoids and irradiation at the same time.
Complimenting other research finding cannabis can treat brain cancer with zero psychoactive effects, the researchers with this most recent study have found that the active compounds in cannabis (THC and CBD) in combination with irradiation were able to ‘dramatically slow down’ brain tumor growth in mice.
Dr. Wai Liu, Senior Research Fellow and lead researcher on the project, described the results as “extremely exciting.”
“Those treated with both irradiation and the cannabinoids saw the most beneficial results and a drastic reduction in size. In some cases, the tumours effectively disappeared in the animals. This augurs well for further research in humans in the future. – this is a mostly fatal disease at the moment.
The benefits of the cannabis plant elements were known before but the drastic reduction of brain cancers if used with irradiation is something new and may well prove promising for patients who are in gravely serious situations with such cancers in the future.”
Truly, the extracts of cannabis – namely utilized through cannabis oil – can help treat cancerous cells without radiation. But at least those who choose to combine alternative health solutions with the pharmaceutical paradigm can expect better recovery rates than if they utilized radiation and chemo alone.
While the study is reported in a mainstream publication, and still advocates for radiation treatment along with the use of cannabis – it is a step in the right direction to promote the obvious medical miracle that cannabis keeps showing itself to be.
Here are 4 more studies showing how marijuana treats brain cancer.
What exactly are cannabinoids?
About 66 compounds unique to Cannabis sativa have been classified as ‘cannabinoids’ of the 480 natural components of the plant. Researchers are just starting to understand a portion of these plant components.
The effects of THC are thought to be moderated by the influence of the other components of the plant, most particularly the cannabinoids.
The cannabinoids are separated into subclasses:
- Cannabigerols (CBG)
- Cannabichromenes (CBC)
- Cannabidiols (CBD)
- Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC)
- Cannabinol (CBN) and cannabinodiol (CBDL)
- Other cannabinoids (such as cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabitriol (CBT) and other miscellaneous types).
“CBD is probably the most abundant cannabinoid, contributing up to 40% of cannabis resin. Interestingly, CBD may actually have anti-anxiety effects and lessen the psychoactive effects of THC.”
Far from just causing psychological changes in a person, the active plant compounds in cannabis are now even reversing brain cancer. This plant’s benefits are simply amazing.
“Far from just causing psychological changes in a person, the active plant compounds in cannabis are now even reversing brain cancer. This plant’s benefits are simply amazing.”
I am very grateful to you, Christina Sarich, for so eloquently correcting the record on cannabis plants used for medical purposes in the United States. The record shows, quite clearly, that cannabis extracts were commonly prescribed as medicine by U.S. doctors for about 90 years (1850-1940s), until petty tyrants in high places basically stole such remedies from the people. For the last 44 years, hysterical politicians and cowardly media professionals have dominated our entire national cannabis policy.
The Spanish slang word “marihuana” was codified into U.S. law through the 1970 Controlled Substances Act (CSA), spelling instant doom for medical cannabis because of that word’s placement in CSA Schedule I–the category for drugs with “no accepted medical value” and a “high potential for abuse.” In 1988, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s own judge strongly recommended moving “marihuana” to Schedule II, calling it “one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man [and woman].” But President Ronald “Just Say No” Reagan totally ignored that recommendation, ensuring many more years of denials of medical cannabis to millions of ailing Americans.
Thanks again, Ms. Sarich. May your articles ensure that the end of this madness is nigh. The war on “marihuana” always has been a threat to our republic; maybe even a crime against humanity.
I wish my younger cousin Larry had known about this before he died from a long battle with cancer using the “legal but lethal” methods prescribed by his doctors.