We have known for some time now that cannabinoids can alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy. But now it seems that they can do much more.
Cannabis sativa
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In the latest issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, an article was published in which its authors decided to take a look at the potential of cannabinoids to not only ease the side effects of cancer therapy but also to use them as treatment. Several different teams concluded that cannabinoids may prevent cancer cells division and also protect healthy cells from being attacked. On top of that, they can prevent blood from entering cancer cells. Some studies even show that cannabinoids may increase the immune system’s response.
We are always in desperate need of medicine to treat cancer. And the data indicates that cannabinoids may have anti-cancer properties on several different levels. What needs to happen now are clinical studies that would more conclusively show whether we can use them for treating human patients.
Cannabinoids are found almost exclusively in cannabis plants. At the moment we know over a hundred different types of cannabinoids and the most common ones used for medical purposes are THC and CBD.
Sources:
- https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-07/w-cmh071718.php
- https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bph.14426
