Cancer

Understand how medical marijuana helps with cancer.

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Medical marijuana can help with the symptoms of cancer. Cancer is a general term for a group of diseases that occur when cells grow and spread uncontrollably. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread to other organs through the blood and lymph systems. 

Causes

• Cancer is caused by changes to DNA, usually in genes. 

• Gene mutations can cause cells to grow and divide too quickly, or they can prevent cells from stopping growth. 

• DNA repair genes can also be mutated, which can lead to errors in DNA repair and cells becoming cancerous. 

Symptoms 

• Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

  • Pain

  • Bleeding

  • Coughing

  • Shortness of breath

  • Swelling in the abdomen or chest

  • Changes in appetite

  • Fever or chills

• Symptoms can vary depending on the type of cancer.

Initial Treatment 

• Early detection and treatment can improve survival rates.

• Treating the cancer can help relieve symptoms.

Types of cancer 

• There are many types of cancer, including lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, stomach, liver, cervical, and thyroid cancer.

Medical marijuana can help with Cancer.

According to the CDC, marijuana can be helpful in treating nausea and vomiting from cancer and chemotherapy treatment, as well as in treating neuropathic pain caused by damaged nerves.

How marijuana helps with nausea

• THC
  Activates CB1 receptors in the brain, which affects neurotransmitters that control nausea.

• CBD
  Interacts with serotonin receptors and other pathways to help relieve nausea.

How marijuana helps with pain

• THC: THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and nerve cells, which can slow pain impulses and reduce pain perception. 

• CBD: CBD may help reduce inflammation and stimulate the immune response. 

• CB1 receptors: THC and CBD modulate CB1 receptors in the spinal cord and central nociception processing areas, which can reduce pain. 

• CB2 receptors: the THC and CBD component(s) of cannabis activate CB2 receptors which can reduce inflammation and help relieve pains caused by cancer.