Leukemia and lymphoma are cancers of the blood, lymphatic and immune systems. It was first discovered in 1975 that cannabinoids treat leukemia, and there have been dozens of scientific studies published since then showing that cannabis treats leukemia and lymphoma through various mechanisms. Even in humans!
Many cannabinoids, like the quintessential Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinnol (THC), treat leukemia, alone and in combination with cannabidiol. The synergistic effects go far beyond THC and CBD; there are many other cannabinoids. The few combinations studied so far using cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigervarin (CBGV) and their uncarboxylated acidic forms provide a therapeutic entourage effect against leukemia.
β-Caryophyllene, a terpene found in the cannabis plant is also anticancer and cardioprotective. β-Caryophyllene was challenged against doxorubicin in a 6-week treatment in rats. Treatment showed significant cardioprotection by lowereing inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis of healthy heart tissue.
The standard mainstream approach, on the other hand, is bone-marrow transplants, full-body radiation, and doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug for solid tumors and leukemia/lymphoma. Doxorubicin use is limited because of its lethal cardiotoxicity. Through mechanisms independent of the cannabinoid receptors, cannabidiol (CBD) is also anti-leukemic and cardioprotective, especically against doxorubicin.
Given the cardioprotective and anti-cancer effects, CB2 receptor activation is being "considered as a viable strategy for chemotherapy as well as cardioprotection". What researchers don't exactly say is that cannabinoid therapy is not only more effective and less dangerous, it mitigates lethality of standard, revered treatments.
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