If you’re undergoing breast cancer treatments, you’re likely to experience some common adverse effects such as nausea, anxiety, fatigue, pain, and general discomfort. You might have learned that some breast cancer patients use CBD to reduce these symptoms.
Or maybe you’re just interested in exploring this new therapeutic compound to know the benefits it can provide. First, you’ll have to understand exactly what CBD is and what it is not. Then you can begin exploring the possibilities and therapeutic potentials CBD possesses.
What is CBD?
CBD, called cannabidiol in full, is one of the most well-known compounds derived from the cannabis plant, popular for its rumored medicinal value. Although many believe CBD to be psychoactive, it has no such effect on the brain. And this is the differentiating factor between it and THC, which causes these “high” feelings.
CBD exists in different forms, and users consume it through diverse methods such as smoking, ingestion, topical application, and many more. Even though you can extract some of the benefits of this cannabinoid through inhalation, quality CBD oils from companies, the CBDistillery is one of the safest means of getting the full medical effects.
CBD As Complementary Cancer Treatment
Existing research shows that cannabinoids could alleviate nausea and neuropathic pain, two common side effects of cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. Two THC-derived drugs received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of vomiting and nausea associated with chemotherapy.
On the other hand, CBD is a potent anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory agent that provides the needed respite from inflammation and cancer-related anxiety. Other cannabinoid-based drugs like nabiximol, which contains CBD and THC, have proven effective in dealing with cancer pain in Canada and certain countries in Europe.
So how does CBD specifically help with breast cancer? Continue reading to learn more.
How CBD Helps Treat Breast Cancer
There’s an internal system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that comprises a network of interconnected receptors that modulate several bodily functions, including sleep, immunity, and inflammation, just to mention a few. CBD helps with breast cancer through its ability to influence the activities of the ECS.
Therefore, it can successfully ease side effects in breast cancer patients, such as insomnia, vomiting, and pain. It is, however, vital to note the distinction between alternative and complementary medicine. You’ll have to consider CBD as a complementary instead of a substitute to traditional breast cancer treatments.
Below are some of the benefits of complimenting your breast cancer treatment with CBD.
4 Benefits of CBD For Breast Cancer250
Id-1 Gene Inhibition
Metastasis is one of the main issues faced by patients with breast cancer, and the Id-1 gene is the number one cause of metastatic breast cancer. The Id-1 gene has a single primary purpose, which is to start cell differentiation. This process progresses into what becomes growing cancer cells that make up the breast. CBD is believed to have anti-metastatic properties which help hinder the activities of this gene.
Osteoporosis
Another common condition experienced by breast cancer patients is osteoporosis. This condition causes a reduction in the density of bone material. The leading causes of this condition in breast cancer treatment are chemotherapy and endocrine therapy. Apart from these, patients also deal with infertility and low levels of estrogen. All these are contributing factors to osteoporosis. CBD oil can help avoid the development of osteoporosis and associated fractures.
Nausea And Vomiting
Although nausea and vomiting are common in different cancer cases, they lead to electrolyte imbalance, weakness, and dehydration. Luckily, CBD has antiemetic properties that suppress these two symptoms.
Ease Neuropathic Pain
Pain, organ, and nerve damage are all part of the side effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy. Since it comes with nerve damage, some patients notice numbing and tingling feelings in their feet and hands. These nerve damages are called neuropathy and are accompanied by acute pain. Fortunately, pain relief is one of CBD’s primary benefits, and it helps relieve inflammation and neuropathic pain.
How to Effectively Use CBD
The CBD market offers a variety of products apart from oil. You can find CBD edibles, creams, tinctures, sprays, and capsules. As earlier mentioned, all these products offer different consumption methods. However, these methods are not equally effective, and they also provide varying levels of bioavailability.
Many breast cancer patients use CBD oil orally. They also find topical CBD products like oil and cream quite effective when applied to radiation-treated parts of the skin to relieve discomfort and dryness in these areas. You can also use lubricants made from CBD extract and coconut oil for intercourse. Ultimately, you want to find the ideal dosage by talking to your doctor.
Conclusion
When you consider the research and anecdotal reports, there’s little doubt that CBD helps patients with breast cancer. Although you won’t cure cancer with this compound, it offers relief from different symptoms and reduces the spread of breast cancer tumors. Several studies are underway to investigate and conclusively determine the exact ways CBD can assist in the battle against cancer.
Until these studies reveal better answers to some of the common questions surrounding cancer treatment with alternative medicines like CBD, it’s always advisable to seek medical attention instead of attempting any kind of self-medication.