Also called weed, pot, or grass, marijuana has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is being used around the world as an alternative treatment for everything from severe PMS symptoms to symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
When it comes to cancer, it is well-known that pot helps ease the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, pain, weight loss, and vomiting. However, a recent study finds that marijuana might help with a lot more than easing the symptoms associated with cancer treatment.
A 2007 study shows that certain cannabinoids may slow down the growth of tumors of highly invasive cancers. According to research conducted by Robert Ramer and Burkhard Hinz of the University of Rostock in Germany, the active components in marijuana were shown to suppress the spread of lung and cervical cancer tumors. The study also found that the active components might have an anticancer effect, but more research will have to be done to evaluate its potential in humans.
In another 2007 study conducted by Harvard University researcher Anju Preet, PhD, marijuana was found to slow lung tumor growth in half and helped prevent the cancer from spreading. Talk to your doctor about whether medical marijuana might be right for you. Your doctor can prescribe the right dosage and provide you with a license to walk into medical marijuana dispensaries or pharmacies near you.