When it comes to diseases, cancer is one of the biggest threats to humanity in the last century.
Treatment success depends on numerous factors, and that is why users are willing to try everything that may help them to recover.
Chemotherapy is among the most frequent treatments for cancer. In this article, we are investigating whether cannabis can help those that are undergoing chemo.
You can find many studies related to integrating cannabis into cancer treatment, but it is hard to provide an answer if it delivers any antitumor responses.
However, numerous users out there have confirmed that marijuana can help to manage symptoms better, especially the ones that appear during chemotherapy.
Here are the benefits that people are undergoing chemotherapy can expect from this plant.
Benefits of Taking Cannabis During Chemotherapy
1. It Helps You to Deal with Vomiting and Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are fairly common side effects of chemo. Moreover, those who finish the therapy often stress vomiting as the biggest problem they had during the process. In severe cases, this can cause complications and lead to other health issues.
The reason why patients vomit during or after chemo is that the drugs and chemicals their blood receives triggers the so-called vomiting center. This is an area of the brain called CTZ – the chemoreceptor trigger zone, and it is the most common cause of nausea during chemo.
Additionally, patients may be troubled by the surrounding where they receive chemo, as well as its smell and sight. If the person is not mentally strong, it can cause “anticipatory vomiting.”
That can also happen if the patient threw up during the previous treatment, and is now afraid he/she will throw up again.
Cannabis can help to deal with nausea and vomiting, and that was officially recognized by the FDA in 1985. THC is the primary compound that assists in reducing nausea, and you can even find an FDA-approved drug containing it.
The users claim that medical marijuana can have an overall soothing effect, which helps to manage chemo better.
Thanks to that, the cases of anticipatory vomiting can be reduced because the patient will feel much calmer than before.
2. It Can Make You Feel Better
It is not uncommon for patients undergoing chemo to suffer from depression or mood disorders. That is understandable as it is very challenging to fight the disease.
Additionally, if chemotherapy causes other health complications, it is even more difficult to maintain a positive mood.
Thousands of users confirmed that marijuana makes them feel better. You can find many reports that claim cannabis helps to treat depression and anxiety.
The plant has antidepressant properties, and that is why many recreational users pursuing positive mood are using it. Marijuana can be effective for hard-working people looking for relaxation, and for chemo patients looking to feel better.
If you want the most effective cannabis, you need to find the best online dispensary Canada or other states where it is legal has to offer. Only marijuana of the highest possible quality can secure the desired effectiveness, and bring you the most benefits.
3. It Can Boost Your Appetite
It is common, for the patients undergoing chemo to lose weight. First, their organism is battling a serious disease, which can take a lot of energy.
Additionally, we already mentioned that the side effects of chemotherapy include nausea and vomiting. As a result, you may lose the desire to eat anything, and it can become tricky to consume all the nutrients needed daily.
Aside from reducing vomiting and nausea, marijuana has another way of benefitting those that are going through chemo. Cannabis is known as a plant that can boost the user’s appetite.
That can be exceptionally important for patients with cancer, especially since it is common for them to lose the desire to eat like before.
Marijuana will directly boost your appetite, which will secure enhanced nutrient intake. That way, cannabis can indirectly assist in combatting the disease.
4. It Can Help with Fatigue and Optimal Sleep
Chemotherapy can be exhausting for the human body. Patients frequently report that they feel fatigued during the day, and problems with the energy levels are quite common.
At the same time, chemo patients often have issues with falling asleep, and they complain that they wake up too often. It is contradictory, but while they may feel sleepy, it is also difficult to fall into a deep sleep and maintain it.
That is where cannabis comes into play. Depending on the cannabinoids in the plant, different strains can get you more energized while relaxing you at the same time.
Marijuana can provide relaxation in the sense that you will feel calmer than before you consumed the plant. Thanks to that, cannabis can help you to relax and achieve optimal quality sleep.
Proper rest is essential during chemo as it can not only improve the chances of success but also help you to handle the sessions better.
5. It Can Provide Pain Relief
Pain is a personal experience, and it can be caused by the disease itself, or the treatment. Chemotherapy can lead to pain, and doctors may resort to prescribing you medications to manage it.
However, marijuana can be a natural alternative and a way not to take another drug. Additionally, you may develop resistance to OTC pain medications, but you can’t become resistant to cannabis effects.
The way marijuana works is that it interacts with the endocannabinoid system and inhibits the pain receptors, which can help to manage pain regardless of its cause.
Several studies have confirmed the positive effect of cannabinoids in treating pain caused by chemotherapy.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis has a wide range of positive effects for those going through chemo. The ones we mentioned in this article are crucial, but you can also expect marijuana to promote digestion, reduce itching, and improve sexual function.
The crucial thing to note is that you need to find the optimal dosage for your needs. The dosage may vary from one person to another, which is why it is a wise move to start slow until you figure out the quantity at which you feel cannabis is the most effective in managing symptoms.
If you have or know someone who has any experience with taking cannabis during chemotherapy, please share it with our community in the comments below.
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