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04-16-2012, 10:32 PM
Nausea / Chemotherapy
Is marijuana an effective treatment for reducing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy?
Cancer Monthly, a cancer treatment website, stated in its May 2006 e-newsletter article "Medical Marijuana - The FDA Loses More Credibility": "There are literally hundreds of articles that appear in the peer reviewed medical and scientific literature that discuss marijuana's effects in pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation...
Obviously smoking marijuana is not risk-free especially to respiratory organs and tissue.
![[Image: 220px-Drug_bottle_containing_cannbis.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Drug_bottle_containing_cannbis.jpg/220px-Drug_bottle_containing_cannbis.jpg)
However, compared to the risks of a typical chemotherapy agent such as cytoxan which includes: urinary bladder, myeloproliferative, or lymphoproliferative malignancies, potential sterility, urinary system hemorrhagic cystitis, hematuria, cardiac toxicity, anaphylactic reactions, significant suppression of immune responses, and sometimes fatal, infections; the risks of marijuana pale in comparison.
And for cancer patients with advanced cancers who want to improve the quality of their life, a risk versus benefit analysis weighs heavily on the benefit side.
More Pro's and Con's
How does marijuana help a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy comes with some pretty common, and unpleasant, side effects. Many patients lose their desire to eat and experience nausea and vomiting. Still others develop a condition called cachexia, in which they lose a significant portion of their body weight, both fat and muscle. This condition, especially when combined with the loss of appetite and nausea, can cause those being treated for cancer to feel physically weak and emotionally drained. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) explains that maintaining an adequate weight and absorbing sufficient nutrients can help patients feel, look, and function better, and may even help their bodies tolerate cancer therapy.
Traditionally, patients are given drugs called antiemetics in tandem with their chemotherapy in order to reduce nausea and increase appetite. But not all people respond adequately to these medications. That's where marijuana comes in. It has been know for years that THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main chemical component of marijuana, tends to stimulate one's appetite. In fact, THC has been available since the mid-1980s for cancer patients in a synthetically engineered capsule form. This medication, known as dronabinol in the medical world, has been shown to reduce nausea, increase appetite, and help patients gain weight. Right now there is a study under way, supported by the NCI, which is designed to measure the impact THC therapy, as dronabinol, has on the management of these symptoms in cancer patients. Click here to get more information about this study. There is also research being done on the medical use of THC by people with AIDS and those with glaucoma.
More
I have a friend who will be going through chemotherapy and radiation. What can she do to build herself up to keep her body in the best condition possible?
Chemotherapy and radiation using drugs and radiation to kill cancer cells can be tough on both the body and the mind. As you suggest, advance preparation can make the process easier. While it is unclear how much time your friend has before she begins her treatment, the following suggestions may offer some sense of direction in preparing for therapy.
Eat right.
In order to keep the body working at its best to prepare for treatment, nutrition is important. Typically, a healthy eating plan includes lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and moderate amounts of low-fat meats and dairy products. The nutritional needs of people with cancer, including those who are preparing for chemotherapy or radiation, however, may require high-calorie, high-protein foods, such as milk, cream, cheese, and cooked eggs. Other recommendations may include cooking with more sauces, gravies, butter, margarine, or oil. While the emotional stress of cancer and beginning treatment can affect appetite, these extra nutrients may help to ensure that people with cancer will be able to commence treatment with the energy reserves needed. Your friend needs to consult with her cancer treatment team, which may include a nutritionist, before her sessions begin for specific recommendations tailored to her cancer and the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she will be given. (During treatment, these calorie- and protein-rich food recommendations may change.)
More
f your friend is having trouble sleeping or relieving stress, or just wants someone to talk with about her treatment, an appointment with a counselor might be helpful. If she's a student at Columbia, she can look at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) web page for info on setting up an appointment, or call x4-2878. To find out more about preparing for cancer treatment, you and your friend can visit the American Cancer Society's site on What to Do Before Treatment Begins. Also, consider a visit to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Cancer: Preparing for Treatment webpage for more ways to make the time and experience during treatment easier. If you or your friend prefers books, pick up The Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Survival Guide by Judith McKay and Nancee Hirano.
It's great that you're being so supportive before your friend's treatment she's lucky to have a friend like you!
<div><iframe width="459" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n31Nuj_AvTg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
Safety of cannabis
![[Image: 220px-Medical_THC.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Medical_THC.jpg/220px-Medical_THC.jpg)
![[Image: magnify-clip.png]](http://bits.wikimedia.org/skins-1.20wmf1/common/images/magnify-clip.png)
Various strains of medical marijuana in front of a vaporizer According to an approved statement from the US Department of Justice in 1988, "Nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal effects. But cannabis is not such a substance. There is no record in the extensive medical literature describing a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. In practical terms, cannabis cannot induce a lethal response as a result of drug-related toxicity."<sup>[53]</sup>
From January 1997 to June 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported zero deaths caused by the primary use of cannabis. In contrast, common FDA-approved drugs which are often prescribed in lieu of cannabis (such as anti-emetics and anti-psychotics), were the primary cause of 10,008 deaths.<sup>[54]</sup><sup> wiki</sup>
Cannabidiol
Main article: Cannabidiol![[Image: 220px-Cannabidiol.png]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Cannabidiol.png/220px-Cannabidiol.png)
Cannabidiol has been shown to relieve convulsions, inflammation, anxiety, cough, congestion and nausea, and it inhibits cancer cell growth.<sup>[80]</sup> Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major constituent of medical cannabis. CBD represents up to 40% of extracts of medical cannabis.<sup>[81]</sup> Cannabidiol has been shown to relieve convulsion, inflammation, anxiety, cough, congestion and nausea, and it inhibits cancer cell growth.<sup>[80]</sup> Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as atypical antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia.<sup>[82]</sup> Because cannabidiol relieves the aforementioned symptoms, cannabis strains with a high amount of CBD may benefit people with multiple sclerosis, frequent anxiety attacks and Tourette syndrome.<sup>[57]</sup><sup>[80]</sup><sup>[83]</sup><sup></sup><sup>Source</sup>
Difference between Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa
![[Image: 220px-Cannab2_new.png]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Cannab2_new.png/220px-Cannab2_new.png)
Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis A Cannabis indica plant may have a CBD/THC ratio 4-5 times that of Cannabis sativa. Cannabis with relatively high ratios of CBD:THC is less likely to induce anxiety than vice versa. Indica has more cannabidiol and sativa has more THC.<sup>[105]</sup> This might partially be due to CBD's antagonist effects at the cannabinoid receptor, compared to THC's partial agonist effect.<sup>[106]</sup> The relatively large amount of CBD contained in Cannabis indica, means, compared to an Cannabis sativa, the effects are modulated significantly. The effects of sativa are well known for its cerebral high, hence used daytime as medical cannabis, while indica is well known for its sedative effects and preferred night time as medical cannabis. Indica plants are normally shorter and stockier plants than sativas. They have wide, deeply serrated leaves and a compact and dense flower cluster. The effects of indicas are predominantly physical and sedative. Due to the relaxing nature of indicas, they are best used for non-active times of the day, and before bed. Indica strains generally have higher levels of C.B.D and C.B.N and lower levels of T.H.C.<sup>[107]</sup>
Harm reduction
![[Image: 220px-Aspergillus.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Aspergillus.jpg/220px-Aspergillus.jpg)
Aspergillus fumigatus The harm caused by smoking can be minimized or eliminated by the use of a vaporizer<sup>[127]</sup> or ingesting the drug in an edible form. Vaporizers are devices that heat the active constituents to a temperature below the ignition point of the cannabis, so that their vapors can be inhaled. Combustion of plant material is avoided, thus preventing the formation of carcinogens such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and carbon monoxide. A pilot study led by Donald Abrams of UC San Francisco showed that vaporizers eliminate the release of irritants and toxic compounds, while delivering equivalent amounts of THC into the bloodstream.<sup>[128]</sup> According to Matthew Seamon and his co-authors Vaporizers are the optimal route of administration because they allow for rapid and complete absorption with minimal combustible byproducts, often considered the major health risk associated with smoking tobacco.<sup>[129]</sup>
In order to kill microorganisms, especially the molds A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger, Levitz and Diamond suggested baking marijuana at 150 C (302 F) for five minutes. They also found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was not degraded by this process.<sup>[130]</sup>
Marijuana Component Could Ease Pain from Chemotherapy Drugs, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (Oct. 6, 2011) A chemical component of the marijuana plant could prevent the onset of pain associated with drugs used in chemo therapy, particularly in breast cancer patients, according to researchers at Temple University's School of Pharmacy.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia.
The researchers developed animal models and tested the ability of the compound cannabidiol, which is the second most abundant chemical found in the marijuana plant, to relieve chemo-induced neuropathic pain, said Sara Jane Ward, research assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in Temple's School of Pharmacy and the study's lead author.
"We found that cannabidiol completely prevented the onset of the neuropathic, or nerve pain caused by the chemo drug Paclitaxel, which is used to treat breast cancer," said Ward, who is also a research associate professor in Temple's Center for Substance Abuse Research
More
n addition to Ward, Temple researchers involved in the study included Michael David Ramirez, Harshini Neelakantan and Ellen Ann Walker. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Peter F. McManus Charitable Trust.
</div>
Is marijuana an effective treatment for reducing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy?
Cancer Monthly, a cancer treatment website, stated in its May 2006 e-newsletter article "Medical Marijuana - The FDA Loses More Credibility": "There are literally hundreds of articles that appear in the peer reviewed medical and scientific literature that discuss marijuana's effects in pain relief, control of nausea and vomiting, and appetite stimulation...
Obviously smoking marijuana is not risk-free especially to respiratory organs and tissue.
However, compared to the risks of a typical chemotherapy agent such as cytoxan which includes: urinary bladder, myeloproliferative, or lymphoproliferative malignancies, potential sterility, urinary system hemorrhagic cystitis, hematuria, cardiac toxicity, anaphylactic reactions, significant suppression of immune responses, and sometimes fatal, infections; the risks of marijuana pale in comparison.
And for cancer patients with advanced cancers who want to improve the quality of their life, a risk versus benefit analysis weighs heavily on the benefit side.
More Pro's and Con's
How does marijuana help a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy comes with some pretty common, and unpleasant, side effects. Many patients lose their desire to eat and experience nausea and vomiting. Still others develop a condition called cachexia, in which they lose a significant portion of their body weight, both fat and muscle. This condition, especially when combined with the loss of appetite and nausea, can cause those being treated for cancer to feel physically weak and emotionally drained. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) explains that maintaining an adequate weight and absorbing sufficient nutrients can help patients feel, look, and function better, and may even help their bodies tolerate cancer therapy.
Traditionally, patients are given drugs called antiemetics in tandem with their chemotherapy in order to reduce nausea and increase appetite. But not all people respond adequately to these medications. That's where marijuana comes in. It has been know for years that THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main chemical component of marijuana, tends to stimulate one's appetite. In fact, THC has been available since the mid-1980s for cancer patients in a synthetically engineered capsule form. This medication, known as dronabinol in the medical world, has been shown to reduce nausea, increase appetite, and help patients gain weight. Right now there is a study under way, supported by the NCI, which is designed to measure the impact THC therapy, as dronabinol, has on the management of these symptoms in cancer patients. Click here to get more information about this study. There is also research being done on the medical use of THC by people with AIDS and those with glaucoma.
More
I have a friend who will be going through chemotherapy and radiation. What can she do to build herself up to keep her body in the best condition possible?
Chemotherapy and radiation using drugs and radiation to kill cancer cells can be tough on both the body and the mind. As you suggest, advance preparation can make the process easier. While it is unclear how much time your friend has before she begins her treatment, the following suggestions may offer some sense of direction in preparing for therapy.
Eat right.
In order to keep the body working at its best to prepare for treatment, nutrition is important. Typically, a healthy eating plan includes lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and moderate amounts of low-fat meats and dairy products. The nutritional needs of people with cancer, including those who are preparing for chemotherapy or radiation, however, may require high-calorie, high-protein foods, such as milk, cream, cheese, and cooked eggs. Other recommendations may include cooking with more sauces, gravies, butter, margarine, or oil. While the emotional stress of cancer and beginning treatment can affect appetite, these extra nutrients may help to ensure that people with cancer will be able to commence treatment with the energy reserves needed. Your friend needs to consult with her cancer treatment team, which may include a nutritionist, before her sessions begin for specific recommendations tailored to her cancer and the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she will be given. (During treatment, these calorie- and protein-rich food recommendations may change.)
More
f your friend is having trouble sleeping or relieving stress, or just wants someone to talk with about her treatment, an appointment with a counselor might be helpful. If she's a student at Columbia, she can look at the Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) web page for info on setting up an appointment, or call x4-2878. To find out more about preparing for cancer treatment, you and your friend can visit the American Cancer Society's site on What to Do Before Treatment Begins. Also, consider a visit to the American Academy of Family Physicians' Cancer: Preparing for Treatment webpage for more ways to make the time and experience during treatment easier. If you or your friend prefers books, pick up The Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Survival Guide by Judith McKay and Nancee Hirano.
It's great that you're being so supportive before your friend's treatment she's lucky to have a friend like you!
<div><iframe width="459" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n31Nuj_AvTg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
Safety of cannabis
![[Image: 220px-Medical_THC.jpg]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Medical_THC.jpg)
Various strains of medical marijuana in front of a vaporizer According to an approved statement from the US Department of Justice in 1988, "Nearly all medicines have toxic, potentially lethal effects. But cannabis is not such a substance. There is no record in the extensive medical literature describing a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. In practical terms, cannabis cannot induce a lethal response as a result of drug-related toxicity."<sup>[53]</sup>From January 1997 to June 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported zero deaths caused by the primary use of cannabis. In contrast, common FDA-approved drugs which are often prescribed in lieu of cannabis (such as anti-emetics and anti-psychotics), were the primary cause of 10,008 deaths.<sup>[54]</sup><sup> wiki</sup>
Cannabidiol
Main article: Cannabidiol
![[Image: 220px-Cannabidiol.png]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cannabidiol.png)
Cannabidiol has been shown to relieve convulsions, inflammation, anxiety, cough, congestion and nausea, and it inhibits cancer cell growth.<sup>[80]</sup> Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major constituent of medical cannabis. CBD represents up to 40% of extracts of medical cannabis.<sup>[81]</sup> Cannabidiol has been shown to relieve convulsion, inflammation, anxiety, cough, congestion and nausea, and it inhibits cancer cell growth.<sup>[80]</sup> Recent studies have shown cannabidiol to be as effective as atypical antipsychotics in treating schizophrenia.<sup>[82]</sup> Because cannabidiol relieves the aforementioned symptoms, cannabis strains with a high amount of CBD may benefit people with multiple sclerosis, frequent anxiety attacks and Tourette syndrome.<sup>[57]</sup><sup>[80]</sup><sup>[83]</sup><sup></sup><sup>Source</sup>Difference between Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa
![[Image: 220px-Cannab2_new.png]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cannab2_new.png)
Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis A Cannabis indica plant may have a CBD/THC ratio 4-5 times that of Cannabis sativa. Cannabis with relatively high ratios of CBD:THC is less likely to induce anxiety than vice versa. Indica has more cannabidiol and sativa has more THC.<sup>[105]</sup> This might partially be due to CBD's antagonist effects at the cannabinoid receptor, compared to THC's partial agonist effect.<sup>[106]</sup> The relatively large amount of CBD contained in Cannabis indica, means, compared to an Cannabis sativa, the effects are modulated significantly. The effects of sativa are well known for its cerebral high, hence used daytime as medical cannabis, while indica is well known for its sedative effects and preferred night time as medical cannabis. Indica plants are normally shorter and stockier plants than sativas. They have wide, deeply serrated leaves and a compact and dense flower cluster. The effects of indicas are predominantly physical and sedative. Due to the relaxing nature of indicas, they are best used for non-active times of the day, and before bed. Indica strains generally have higher levels of C.B.D and C.B.N and lower levels of T.H.C.<sup>[107]</sup>Harm reduction
![[Image: 220px-Aspergillus.jpg]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Aspergillus.jpg)
Aspergillus fumigatus The harm caused by smoking can be minimized or eliminated by the use of a vaporizer<sup>[127]</sup> or ingesting the drug in an edible form. Vaporizers are devices that heat the active constituents to a temperature below the ignition point of the cannabis, so that their vapors can be inhaled. Combustion of plant material is avoided, thus preventing the formation of carcinogens such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and carbon monoxide. A pilot study led by Donald Abrams of UC San Francisco showed that vaporizers eliminate the release of irritants and toxic compounds, while delivering equivalent amounts of THC into the bloodstream.<sup>[128]</sup> According to Matthew Seamon and his co-authors Vaporizers are the optimal route of administration because they allow for rapid and complete absorption with minimal combustible byproducts, often considered the major health risk associated with smoking tobacco.<sup>[129]</sup>In order to kill microorganisms, especially the molds A. fumigatus, A. flavus and A. niger, Levitz and Diamond suggested baking marijuana at 150 C (302 F) for five minutes. They also found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was not degraded by this process.<sup>[130]</sup>
Marijuana Component Could Ease Pain from Chemotherapy Drugs, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (Oct. 6, 2011) A chemical component of the marijuana plant could prevent the onset of pain associated with drugs used in chemo therapy, particularly in breast cancer patients, according to researchers at Temple University's School of Pharmacy.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia.
The researchers developed animal models and tested the ability of the compound cannabidiol, which is the second most abundant chemical found in the marijuana plant, to relieve chemo-induced neuropathic pain, said Sara Jane Ward, research assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in Temple's School of Pharmacy and the study's lead author.
"We found that cannabidiol completely prevented the onset of the neuropathic, or nerve pain caused by the chemo drug Paclitaxel, which is used to treat breast cancer," said Ward, who is also a research associate professor in Temple's Center for Substance Abuse Research
More
n addition to Ward, Temple researchers involved in the study included Michael David Ramirez, Harshini Neelakantan and Ellen Ann Walker. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Peter F. McManus Charitable Trust.
</div>
