Cannabis vs Medication
Cannabis has many pros, especially when compared with the current FDA-approved options for treating cancer related symptoms using FDA approved medications.
It’s relatively safe — serious adverse effects from Cannabis are extremely rare plus it can ease:
- Nausea
- pain
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
Cannabis can also help prevent some of the nerve damage that’s often associated with chemotherapy and radiation. The fact that it’s one drug instead of several (one for nausea, one for pain, one for insomnia, etc.) also means that it cut down on side effects and interactions.
HOW:
Cannabis contains several compounds called cannabinoids, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate a variety of physiological processes, including appetite, mood, and pain.
Research suggests that THC is particularly effective at reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, as well as other conditions such as motion sickness and migraines. THC may reduce nausea by activating the CB1 receptors in the brain, which can reduce the release of certain neurotransmitters that are associated with nausea and vomiting.
CBD may also have some anti-nausea effects, although it appears to work differently than THC. CBD may reduce nausea by activating the 5-HT1A receptor, which is involved in regulating nausea and vomiting.
Overall, while the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, cannabis appears to be effective at reducing nausea through its interactions with the endocannabinoid system.