Breaking Down Cannabis and Cancer
As the laws regarding the use of marijuana begin to change around our nation, and we slowly crawl back out of the dark ages in terms of how the world views this miraculous plant genus, more research is being published showing how the medicinal attributes that it has to offer are apparently endless.
But what would have to be established as one of the most amazing discoveries regarding marijuana’s medical efficacy is its reported protective effect against the development of certain types of cancerous tumors.
Cannabis and Cancer – The Stats!
These types of discoveries are imperative for the human race, especially when you take into consideration that approximately 585,000 Americans are expected to perish from some destructive form of cancer in 2014 alone, which calculates to around 1,600 deaths per day.
Cancer has been categorized as the second most common cause of death in the United States, which is only exceeded by heart disease, and accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths.
In addition, it is expected that approximately 1,665,540 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2014, according to the American Cancer Society. Those numbers are shocking to say the least.
But with every piece of research that’s published regarding the medicinal attributes that marijuana has to offer the medical field, we come one step closer to having the understanding and capacity to quite plausibly dramatically change those staggering statistics.
The Plant!
The marijuana plant is comprised of 21 carbon-containing compounds called cannabinoids, which have been made known to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells via numerous methods. Among these plant-derived compounds, which are also referred to as phytocannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been found to be the primary psychoactive component. But ample research that has been conducted over the past decade or so shows how cannabinoids such as Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabigerol (CBG) and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) are also capable of performing biologic activity.
CBD, in particular, is believed to possess the ability to perform significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity without the psychoactive effect (high) of THC.
The Treatment?
Previously published studies have suggested that cannabinoids such as THC present anti-cancer properties. In fact, back in 2009, researchers at Complutense University in Spain established that THC stimulated the demise of brain cancer cells in a progression identified as “autophagy,” which is a normal physiological process in our bodies that deals with destruction of cells. When the study’s researchers targeted human tumors in laboratory mice with doses of THC, they found that two cell receptors were particularly associated with an anti-tumor response.
Upon further analysis, two human patients with exceedingly aggressive brain tumors who received intracranial (within or introduced into the skull) administration of THC also showed similar signs of autophagy. It’s studies like this that justify the question as to why our world leaders choose to perpetuate an antiquated policy regarding the use of marijuana for any dedication, let alone medicinal. Keeping a naturally occurring wild plant that’s continually being proven through scientific examination to have numerous advantageous medicinal and commercial uses classified as a dangerous drug is a crime against humankind.
Stop the lies, legalize, and save some lives!
by Erik G