Cancer
Marijuana reduces pain, nausea and vomiting, which are all common side effects of chemotherapy. It also stimulates appetite to help patients regain their strength. In addition to treating the symptoms associated with cancer, studies have shown that marijuana may also inhibit tumor growth and kill certain cancer cells, although more research is needed.
Condition Overview
Cancer is the name given to several related diseases which result in the abnormal growth of cells within the human body. These abnormal cells can grow almost anywhere including the brain, breasts, lungs, pancreas, prostate, blood, bladder, colon and skin. Cancerous cells are able to divide and spread quickly, resulting in the buildup of solid masses known as tumors. The first cause of cancer was documented in 1775 when British surgeon Percivall Pott realized that certain tumors were prevalent among chimney sweeps.
Today, more than 100 different types of cancer have been identified, and it is estimated that more than 1.6 million Americans will be diagnosed with one form or another in 2015. Cancer claims the lives of approximately 600,000 people in the US each year. In 2012 there were an estimated 14.1 million new cases of cancer diagnosed (with 8 million deaths) in the world – this number is expected to increase to 24 million by 2035.
Real Life Stories
Stan Rutner was in his late 70s in 2013 when he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer which had metastasized into his brain. He started conventional radiation and chemotherapy treatment, but without success. His doctor gave him just weeks to live and recommended hospice care. That’s when Stan started treating himself with marijuana — marijuana oil in a coconut-oil-based capsule in the morning and high-THC marijuana oil before bed. Immediately, he was able to sleep better, eat better and had better mobility. After several months of treatment, an MRI found no sign of the disease in his body and he has remained in remission ever since.
RELATED STUDIES
Interesting Fact
According to several studies, THC and other cannabinoids in marijuana can shrink or destroy tumors. They can also slow or even halt the progression of cancer.