Marijuana, a Confirmed Cancer Treatment? Weed Health Benefits Can Kill Disease Cells & Shrink Brain Tumors Says Study

A US government-funded research is starting to officially recognize the benefits of cannabis, popularly known as marijuana. The two cannabinoids in marijuana, called (tetrahydrocannabinol) THC and (cannabidiol) CBD, are useful for medicine. According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) report, THC helps in reducing nausea and increasing appetite. It can also reduce inflammation, pain, and problems in muscle control. CBD is a promising cannabinoid that can help control epileptic seizures and treat addictions and mental disorders.

Furthermore, the extract from the cannabis plant can aid in cancer treatment by eradicating cancerous cells and help in shrinking tumors in the brain. The drug, which is now legal in some American states, can also help in increasing the effects of radiation therapy, as reported by the UK Belfast Telegraph.

"Scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to more medications," the report revealed. One condition that can be treated by the CBD chemical is childhood epilepsy, an illness that causes seizures. Further research is continuing to determine other possible uses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.

"Research in mice showed that treatment with purified extracts of THC and CBD, when used with radiation, increased the cancer-killing effects of the radiation," it stated.

Scientists are currently conducting preclinical and clinical trials of the potential use marijuana plant and its extract in some conditions such as HIV/Aids, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease, mental disorders, drug addiction, seizures, and even for pain and inflammation.

"Cannabinoids are chemicals related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana's main mind-altering ingredient," the report disclosed. The cannabis plant is made up of hundreds of other cannabinoids and some of these can lead to serious health conditions when misused.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine," it further said. The FDA requires numerous human clinical trials to be able to see the potential benefits and risks of it in medicine.

The US Department of Justice released a statement this week saying that it will not stop the states that have programs for legalized medical marijuana but will still go after recreational marijuana users, according to RT.

"Consistent with the Department's stated enforcement priorities, we don't expect that the amendment will impact our ability to prosecute private individuals or private entities who are violating the Controlled Substances Act," department spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said.