How Medical Marijuana Can Help in Your Fight Against Cancer

A cancer diagnosis can be terribly disconcerting for many reasons, not the least of which is the cancer itself, as well as the slash-and-burn treatment protocols that can lead to very unwelcome side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.

At Interventional Pain Center in Worthington and Newark, Ohio, Dr. Sachida Manocha and our team have had great success using medical marijuana to help cancer patients better navigate their treatments, their comfort levels, and their health through this very trying time.

Here’s a closer look at the potential role that medical marijuana can play in helping you battle cancer.

Medical marijuana and cancer treatments

One of the areas where medical marijuana can be very beneficial is in offsetting the side effects that come with chemotherapy treatments. Chemotherapy is designed to kill fast-growing cancer cells in your body, but the treatment is delivered systemically, which means your healthy cells are in the line of fire, too.

When you undergo chemotherapy, your body’s immune system ramps up to fight off the perceived attack, which can leave you with considerable nausea and vomiting. 

Certain compounds found in marijuana, namely delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have been found to effectively ease chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Not only can medical marijjuana fight these side effects, it can also stimulate your appetite, which is helpful in supplying your body with the nutrients it needs to fight cancer.

Another area where medical marijuana proves useful is cancer-related neuropathy. If your cancer treatments are leading to nerve damage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the cannabinoids found in marijuana can ease the pain caused by neuropathy.

Medical marijuana and cancer

While cancer treatments can be problematic, let’s not forget about the cancer itself. If your cancer is causing pain, medical marijuana may be able to ease this discomfort by blocking the pain signaling. This occurs as chemicals in marijuana bind with receptors in your endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating pain.

More promising are emerging studies that indicate that the cannabinoids in marijuana may help fight the cancer itself. Researchers have found that, “numerous cell culture and animal studies showed antitumor effects of cannabinoids in various cancer types.”

These studies were conducted in labs, and no humans were involved, so there’s more research to be done. Still, these preliminary results are cause for some enthusiasm.

Making medical marijuana a part of your treatment program

If you want to explore whether medical marijuana can help ease your cancer journey, your first step is to come see us. During your evaluation, we review your current medical situation to determine whether you’re a good candidate for this protocol. 

If we find that medical marijuana may be able to help, we issue you a prescription, which you can use at one of Ohio’s licensed dispensaries. Rest assured, we review dosing and delivery methods with you beforehand and track your progress throughout.

To get started, book an appointment online or over the phone with Interventional Pain Center today.