Nausea is a common symptom of many illnesses, including cancer. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find an effective treatment for nausea. For some cancer patients, medical marijuana can provide much needed relief. This article will explore the potential benefits of medical marijuana for treating nausea and provide a guide to finding the right strain and dosage for symptom relief.
Are there potential risks associated with using marijuana for nausea related to cancer treatment?
Yes, there are potential risks associated with using marijuana for nausea related to cancer treatment. These risks may include an increased risk of developing certain mental health disorders, the potential for impaired cognitive functioning, and an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. Additionally, marijuana use can increase the risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, when use is discontinued.
How does CBD in marijuana compare to other treatments for cancer-related nausea?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is often used to treat cancer-related nausea. It has been found to be effective in reducing the severity of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. CBD has fewer side effects than traditional treatments for nausea, such as antinausea medications and steroids. Additionally, studies have shown that CBD can help reduce pain associated with cancer-related nausea.
What scientific evidence is there to support the use of marijuana for nausea related to cancer treatment?
The National Cancer Institute states that marijuana has been used to treat nausea and vomiting related to cancer and cancer treatments. Several clinical trials have shown that cannabinoids, active components of marijuana, can have anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects. In addition, a review of medical literature conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found evidence that marijuana is effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
What types of cancer patients have seen the most benefit from using marijuana for nausea?
Patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy treatments have seen the most benefit from using marijuana for nausea. Other cancer patients who may benefit from marijuana for nausea include those with HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and anorexia nervosa. Studies have also shown that marijuana can be effective in reducing pain and improving appetite in cancer patients.
How does the form of marijuana (e.g. smoking, edibles, topical) affect its effectiveness for treating cancer-related nausea?
The form of marijuana can affect its effectiveness for treating cancer-related nausea. In general, smoking marijuana is the quickest way to deliver the active ingredients to the body, while edibles and topicals can take longer to take effect. Smoking marijuana provides immediate relief, while edibles and topicals can provide longer-lasting effects. In some cases, edibles and topicals may be more effective in treating cancer-related nausea. However, the form of marijuana that is most effective for treating nausea will depend on the individual and their specific situation.
Marijuana and individual cannabinoids compounds in the plant like tetrahydrocannabinol THC or cannabidiol CBD have been studied to manage the side effects of cancer and cancer therapies like chemotherapy. Findings suggest that certain cannabinoids can help relieve some of those side effects. However, studies have not shown that marijuana or individual cannabinoids can cure cancer. Avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer or relying on marijuana alone to treat or manage the effects of cancer may have serious health consequences. Studies of the chemicals or cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant suggest that certain cannabinoids can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy, 1 as well as in treating neuropathic pain pain caused by damaged nerves. S Food and Drug Administration external icon FDA has approved two specific drugs dronabinol name brands Marinol and Syndros and nabilone name brand Cesamet that are synthetic man-made forms of specific cannabinoids for use in cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. More research is needed to understand the effects of marijuana as a treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects of cancer therapy. Smoked marijuana delivers THC and other cannabinoids to the body, but it also delivers harmful substances, including many of the same toxins and carcinogens cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke, 3 which are harmful to the lungs and cardiovascular system. However, limited evidence of an association between current, frequent, or chronic marijuana smoking and testicular cancer non-seminoma-type has been documented. Because marijuana can be used in different ways, with different levels of active compounds, it can affect each person differently. More research is needed to understand the full impact of marijuana use on cancer. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Marijuana and Public Health. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Is there a link between marijuana and cancer? National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids the current state of evidence and recommendations for research. National Cancer Institute. A comparison of mainstream and sidestream marijuana and tobacco cigarette smoke produced under two machine smoking conditions. Chemical Research in Toxicology. A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA. Gurney, C. Shaw, J. Stanley, V. Signal, and D. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination websites privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue.
Marijuana is the name given to the dried buds and leaves of varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, which can grow wild in warm and tropical climates throughout the world and be cultivated commercially. It goes by many names, including pot, grass, cannabis, weed, hemp, hash, marihuana, ganja, and dozens of others. Marijuana has been used in herbal remedies for centuries. Scientists have identified many biologically active components in marijuana. These are called cannabinoids. The two best studied components are the chemicals deltatetrahydrocannabinol often referred to as THC , and cannabidiol CBD. Other cannabinoids are being studied. This means that they cannot legally be prescribed, possessed, or sold under federal law. But the use of marijuana to treat some medical conditions is legal under state laws in many states. Dronabinol, a pharmaceutical form of THC, and a man-made cannabinoid drug called nabilone are approved by the FDA to treat some conditions. Different compounds in marijuana have different actions in the human body. For example, deltatetrahydrocannabinol THC seems to cause the high reported by marijuana users, and also can help relieve pain and nausea , reduce inflammation, and can act as an antioxidant. Cannabidiol CBD can help treat seizures, can reduce anxiety and paranoia, and can counteract the high caused by THC. Different cultivars strains or types and even different crops of marijuana plants can have varying amounts of these and other active compounds. This means that marijuana can have different effects based on the strain used. The effects of marijuana also vary depending on how marijuana compounds enter the body. The most common ways to use marijuana are in food edible marijuana and by smoking or vaping it inhaled marijuana . A number of small studies of smoked marijuana found that it can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy.
