Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most well-known psychoactive component in cannabis has been shown to cut tumor growth in common lung cancer in half. THC has also been shown to significantly reduce the ability of the cancer to spread, say researchers at Harvard University who tested the notorious cannabinoid in both lab and mouse studies.
This particular study occurred in 2007 and remains one of the most comprehensive ever conducted on THC’s potential to combat tumors. Clinical trials involving human cancer patients have since been underway in Israel using full spectrum cannabis oil.
Full spectrum cannabis oil is made using unadulterated, natural cannabis. It includes THC, CBD, as well as many other cannabinoids and terpenoids. The terpenes found in cannabis are molecularly identical to those that are found in many essential oils and used in therapeutic aromatherapy. When all of these cannabinoids and terpenes work in unison it is called the entourage effect. While extracting a particular cannabinoid or terpene may have benefits on their own, scientists and anecdotes alike have noted the increased efficacy of full spectrum cannabis oil.
Bottom line: The cannabis plant in its natural form, without any compounds removed or added, appears to be the most beneficial for cancer patients.
<div data-rows="1" data-cols="1" class="rc-wc rc-bp rc-uid-109591 rc-g-dl" data-rcp="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" data-rct="1" data-rc-g-dl="1" data-rc-g-d="1" data-rc-g-t="1" data-rc-g-p="1" "="" data-id="109591" data-original_load="eyJzcG9uc29yZWQiOls0MTAyMTQ3XX0=" data-refresh="" data-refresh-int="60000" data-view="bIQtzXakBCp5ARHiXnCb6IxNpvzyuxqglpzW%2B3tLPzPg7Zi682dxG8B4374qMhOrxMLI%2FiD2qKq%2BDexRdfzCoqtZs%2FK8stS5s1ZsryVFeUFlBq96M9AFoLTaLrXaiOBERjerai6dRzIF9yiUNLjgVq8VRARUpGIJecoaSFnOrul67vMAd0Dfta7xmaavtutFAoJTwdtZ0tHcKjv3SBPnl6TdHdcrkCtYfaX4FVyjP0V48Iff%2F%2BURoHU3BA49aQ1wTxT8nR2jd7fDl270N51Cww890SKonVO2RQ7zqDQF%2BvR%2FeRAR2zMi3rvZDTSCZFYpwqDBXusll%2BblhhmYuE3r26VxHdXll%2FrxPl02v5neinjEY35KTcAHsnlAyukIAzRUpit0gRNjoqNWEVVLUPoAsOisBb1mxpope2Jnq6eBR%2B4fXqw3gA44DQcLTkcW8Kq4ZbBOUOnNWPiYicZ4f7FuQCsud8B%2BaY%2FUoatndoR9R6wKFqKi2IFhtqVZPl1nyPJHw51uMVaT7SgQ2wG4LnHT2Bw6SkCU6k2YcW5Dq2sut9XfmFRxruUVarhOXwt9eV4bcM1qj77xNK4fXOUgRZEEujtuiRhHAfi9rZyVXJTPsF24h16FUPvJsoEVcBKL37KHECudelZuJcx81fUB9hRZi%2FfoXaDP5x0Cztcw%2F%2F%2B9VK6a6A9lUoxKSAGEG0lCx4U9kqjhmBXuZrtEFRIDII6BLl6vnhN%2BwL73%2FjI3wkpxVZhN7yLxw6qr%2BG%2BtnKArYJsy%2FgXThLhRJlzWHakoABQVCdm8o4voIEmbSEx9NZqfBMsvHtktbW0LRWRJFxz8odaiRHCYvDlREbKvOwARfjfyfSDY6C2cUf2lbBfhcHMOAWPhO8Rur%2Fn6%2BK2HLYs8D6NpsEmd0uRz%2Fy54Tnm4KwidInNpJ5ONZxSqjFkzpsfb3DRgDA56P2DicRg08%2F1FlAkF1rMoGfjSwbQDUCUzAFdof%2B0PwTEDZJGMtNTR4HOQHfFGm7RwFstEflEmZmFSl0wSCyDLHe%2F%2FVlB9ynw268ZuPSTYRk%2F3cEfBkwQ4I1I8PzhdsHlLfRijJgwm5CTl8QqBqMNPpDFr3HvCv7Ooo1d43YqQRZ3yz56hlymniWbpGbLtu9B34zx9OfTMw%2BG3jGgI03i7Bv4efRqS57flsw1xXDCjrzAR0WNH%2BrZuy8%2Be5ESg2e8ON60KE33V%2Bd2KLGKjQCo9fPCrNKV85u%2FdC5CbzRsx8yDKK0fnt6W1fVkTgZuB0Ki0lEMOjgkJlnrh1RyMuROj8nIOem62%2BDGVq%2BZTY2job9EIb1TgJhmd7U5UTf3Ek9loMR6uAKMham%2BwKfFFU7JP7BbUSkdvs4Zw%2Bx5GzqCj%2BGnvrWzR83209Hnm8nJe%2FvNA1e3YmuNcvw3FAQEDisrVkRASywbHTbGqq03kttWopy0iIXfvA6QYnZnGPfoiYToKRPIpmvs0Wwcyasu5batLD4zQ%2BQkrzrCGvsuuYxkx%2FmaG3xYLV4nYjLWLUxYNgo3N32Fy3A5T786ZWo7UsEdydkZ9J31EoZ3dB8hLmOTnYIzy91QnolDNfQypkQaMEpifP6eJ3RlQUnDDshUa%2FmvVqqn5h%2FsCe6lQgp7vLFjdDVRP0VndnEqV94QzfVbFE9Jd5GW%2FfglKy8o8cBx2awLuzVtdeGKKOVfykrTnEQgMEvzhJWrKaiVXHqwmkj2PfQcwpHwrCU%2BeVcF4XgS6bqArlBe1PCho1edU7nmCMUWl%2Fvwdq9FGxdKkqElKcGFneQ3Rl2Ilx9qjuX3K%2F6vweajxHyjngtVdfyPfBmH64VKd%2FEFogXOOCx%2B67KTEPAOmlUv0uiJkH%2FvS7lDCS8ERxmxQq7I%2B7j1XLhhLTnT%2Ff5NVGAOupP0MNyl0gA3o3ZIO76t62gE%2BJADmnpZ6g82VEeeK4pSUh2w2E4UUj7Vm1A%3D%3D" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; overflow: visible; position: relative; visibility: visible;">
The Harvard University researchers tested THC on cancer cells in labs, and then followed that up by studying mice subjects.
The lab demonstration found that doses of THC inhibited growth and spread in the cancer cells; “When the cells are pretreated with THC, they have less EGFR stimulated invasion as measured by various in-vitro assays,” states Anju Preet, PhD, who was one of the researchers for the study.
Following the lab test, researchers dosed mice – which were implanted with human lung cancer cells – with THC, and found that in just three weeks, tumors were reduced in both size and weight by roughly 50% compared to a control group. According to Preet, cancer lesions on the lungs were also reduced – by nearly 60% – and there was as a significant reduction in “protein markers” associated with cancer progression.
Researchers predict that THC had such a positive effect on combating tumors because it activates molecules that arrest the cell cycle, and may also interfere with the processes of angiogenesis and vascularization, which lead to cancer growth.
We’ve only scratched the surface of research on cannabis as a therapy for cancer patients. Unfortunately the United States controlled substance act still lists cannabis as a schedule I drug which makes research in the States difficult. Despite this inconvenience there are still many studies calling for clinical trials and additional research on cannabis for cancer. You can freely access over 100 of those studies here.
Sources: Sciencedaily.com, analyticalcannabis.com, realfarmacy.com, realfarmacy.com
Follow us