Happy Halloween, everyone! We would be remiss to let October pass without taking a moment to chat about breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The decision to use cannabis often comes as a means to find relief from a symptom or situation that has been causing that person distress. Despite our status as a recreational dispensary, here at Karma Club, we inform ourselves on all applications of cannabis products to better serve the people who may visit our dispensary. We wouldn’t even have the privilege of legally selling recreational cannabis were it not for the efforts of medical cannabis advocates throughout the past few decades whose activism allowed for the overall normalization and acceptance of the plant and its various uses.
Since cannabis remains federally illegal, unjustly classified as a Schedule 1 drug, definitive proof of the benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes in the treatment of ailments from scientific research are limited due to a lack of legally sanctioned research. However, we know anecdotally that cannabis has been shown to help those with cancer and the research that is presently available is promising in backing up this experience.
In the limited research we do have, we are able to obtain significant analysis from the professors, researchers and doctors working to uncover the full potential of cannabis medicine and cannabis products. Dr. Virginia Borges, medical oncology professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said that, “cannabinoid containing products are useful as a supportive care measure in cancer treatment, not as a direct cancer targeted therapy, because we don’t have data for that in the clinical setting at this point in time.” She continues and says that, “I think products that contain CBD, whether that’s a cannabis product that also has THC where one of my patients would have to go to a dispensary to get it, or it’s a pure CBD-containing product that they can get at the grocery store or online, I’ve personally seen it benefit a fair number of my patients in terms of things ranging from insomnia, hot flashes, body aches, symptoms related to some of the endocrine therapies that we ask patients to take,” she said. “And then, for our patients who are struggling with more advanced stages of cancer and more end of life issues, the comfort and anxiety control and relief that CBD containing products can offer is also, I think, apparent in the practical evidence that we’ve gained over time.” [x]
Cannabinoids, defined as any of a group of closely related compounds which include cannabinol and the active constituents of cannabis, join the cannabinoid receptors of the body and the brain to produce effects throughout one’s system. Terpenes, defined as any of a large group of volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants, are primarily responsible for producing taste and aroma within the cannabis plant. However, like cannabinoids, terpenes produce effects when consumed that are synergistic with each other and/or with cannabinoids. Terpenes inhibit crucial signaling pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation and survival. [x]
Below is a chart of cannabinoids and a chart of terpenes detailing each compound’s potential for providing relief for cancer and related symptoms. You can find the sources utilized at the bottom of this article if you are interested in learning more about the science behind each compound.
Anti-cancer Terpenes:
- Alpha Bisabolol
• analgesic
• anti-inflammatory
• neuroprotective
• synergistic effects with CBG & CBD - Alpha Pinene
• anti-cancer
• anti-inflammatory
• bronchodilator
• memory enhancing
• enhances alertness
• improves creativity
• Strains: Blue Dream, Strawberry Cough, Jack Herer - Beta Caryophyllene
• analgesic
• anti-inflammatory
• gastro-protective
• proven to mediate kidney inflammation - Borneol (and its monoterpenoid and isomer Fenchol)
• analgesic
• anti-cancer
• anti-inflammation
• anticoagulant
• drug potentiator - Eucalyptol
• anti-cancer
• anti-inflammatory
• can aid memory and breathing - Geraniol
• anti-inflammatory
• topical drug-enhancer - Humulene
• anti-coagulant when paired with THC
• anti-cancer
• analgesic
• anti-tumor
• anti-inflammatory - Limonene
• anti-anxiety
• anti-cancer
• anti-nausea
• antidepressant
• anti-cancer when paired with CBD, CBG and/or CBN
• Strains: Lemon Skunk, Sour Diesel, Trainwreck, Bubba Kush - Linalool
• sedative
• calming
• anti-anxiety
• anti-inflammatory
• Strains: Lavender, Kosher Kush, Skywalker, Bubba Kush - Beta-Myrcene
• muscle relaxant
• sedative
• anti-spasmodic
• aids sleep - Ocimene
• anti-inflammatory
• decongestant
• antidepressant - Terpinolene
• anti-cancer
• anti-tumor
• enhances cognitive clarity
Source: https://eybna.com/terpenes/the-terpiodic-table/
Anti-cancer cannabinoids:
- CBC – Cannabichromene
• inhibits tumor growth
• pain relief
• reduces inflammation
• sedative
• most effective at anti-inflammation when taken alongside THC - THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Delta-9 THC:
– reduce pain perception
– reduce nausea + vomiting
– aid sleep
– neuroprotective
– inhibits cancer cell growth
• Delta-8 THC:
– antiemetic (reducing nausea and vomiting)
– appetite-stimulating
– neuroprotective
– analgesic
– similar structure but is present at a much lower concentration than THC - THCA – Tetrahydrocannabinol Acid
• reduces nausea, seizures, and muscle spasms
• fights tumor cells
• anti-inflammatory
• neuroprotective - THCV – Tetrahydrocannabivarin
• reduces panic attacks
• reduces seizures and convulsions
• regulates blood sugar levels - CBN – Cannabinol
• pain relieving
• increases appetite
• can substitute THC in improving symptoms and delaying the onset of neurodegenerative conditions
• soothes inflamed skin
• anti-convulsant
• reduces intraocular tension
• produces high levels of drowsiness when paired with THC - CBD – Cannabidiol
• reduces blood sugar levels
• reduces nausea + vomiting
• increases blood flow in the brain which in turn reduces anxiety
• reduces seizures and convulsions
• anti-inflammatory
• anti-tumor
• analgesic - CBDA – Cannabidiolic Acid
• reduces nausea
• reduces inflammation
• inhibits cancer growth - CBG – Cannabigerol
• aids sleep
• relaxes muscles
• reduces blood pressure
• slows tumor growth
• helps with focus
• stabilizes mood
Source: https://boojumgroup.com/2019/06/28/cannabinoids-overview/
Has cannabis helped you or someone in your life cope with or overcome cancer? Feel free to share your story in the comments below if you feel comfortable. Thank you for reading this post and be sure to share this information with anyone you think it may help.
Until next time!
– Karma Club
