Marijuana is becoming a widely accepted option for treating cancer patients. And in places where it is legal, cannabis is prescribed by doctors as an effective relaxant and pain suppressant. Below, we take a look at five ways how marijuana can help a cancer patient deal with their condition.
Kills Cancer Cells
Marijuana carries strong anti-cancer property, and its various compounds like CBD and THC have been shown to combat and kill cancer cells. In a research conducted by the Department of Oncology at St. George’s University of London, it was reported that the compounds in cannabis checks the development of cancerous cells preventing them from growing and spreading.
Battle Weight Loss
Cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy often experience weight loss during the period.
This mainly happens as their appetite dwindles under the conditions. But smoking marijuana can help the patients deal with weight loss issues. The compounds in cannabis stimulate appetite; increasing hunger levels. In a report published by Science Daily, it was shown that cannabis helps in improving the sense of taste for cancer patients in addition to stimulating higher protein consumption.
Reduced Pain
One of the popular uses of marijuana in cancer patients is pain reduction. Cannabis is effective in controlling both bone and nerve pain. A study published on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website details how newer evidence proves the effectiveness of cannabis to manage neuropathic pain. Another important thing to consider when purchasing cannabis is to check whether they are produced from high quality marijuana seeds. Better quality cannabis is more effective in reducing the sensation of pain.
Treat Nausea
People undergoing chemotherapy may feel the effects of nausea. The compound THC, found in marijuana, is very useful in dealing with such conditions. Realizing this fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved a pill form of the compound some years back.
Sleep Better
Cancer patients experience sleeping issues. They may find themselves waking up in the middle of their sleep, or even unable to sleep during normal resting hours. Such problems can crop up from having to deal with the pain and physical discomfort during the treatment period. Nervousness regarding the success of the procedure can also cause sleep deprivation.
Using marijuana can help the cancer patients relax and sleep better. As per a report, the THC compound of cannabis acts as an excellent sleep assistant. In addition to the above advantages, marijuana has also been reported to offer additional benefits to cancer patients like improved sexual function, relief from fatigue, reduction of itching and managing moods.
And although most countries are only beginning to legalize cannabis for medicinal use, further scientific research on the benefits of marijuana for cancer and other medical applications will only speed up the process.
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