Medical Marijuana and Melanoma

https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/conditions/melanoma/

How and Why Marijuana Can Be an Effective Treatment for Melanoma

Melanoma patients have found success with cannabis oil. Also, international research has identified that medical cannabis is a powerful anti-cancer agent in animals. A 2015 Journal of Investigative Dermatologystudy found THC and CBD treatment helped reduce melanoma cell viability.

Researchers also found that combining small amounts of THC with CBD intensifies the anticancer effects. The cannabis and melanoma treatment destroyed the cancerous skin cells, but not the normal healthy cells.

Melanoma & Medical Marijuana Research

A 2015 study examined how effectively cannabinoids could stimulate melanoma cell death. The team took both in vitro and in vivo approaches, meaning they analyzed both cell samples and cells in living beings. When they treated melanoma cells with THC, cell death and turnover rates increased. The cancer cells also had less viability after exposure, making them more susceptible to treatment.

The researchers also examined how autophagy, or cell “recycling,” came into play in THC-related cell death. When they used both THC and chloroquine, a potential cancer treatment, THC’s effects stopped. Chloroquine inhibits autophagy, so the fact that it interferes with THC’s results shows autophagy could be involved.

When the team tried treating live subjects with cannabinoids, they found similar success. They dosed mice with either a mixture of equal amounts of CBD and THC or pure THC. To see how the compounds performed compared to typical cancer treatments, they also included a group of mice dosed with a chemotherapy drug. These three groups all showed more tumor reduction than the control group.

When the team compared the cannabinoids’ effects with those of the chemotherapy drug, the cannabinoids worked better to promote cell death and prevent growth.

What Symptoms of Melanoma Can Medical Marijuana Treat?

Medical cannabis for melanoma offers the potential to:

• Relieve pain
• Curb nausea
• Boost your mood
• Assist in sleep
• Spark motivation
• Perk up energy
• Rekindle social enjoyment
• Promote weight gain
• Stimulate your appetite

Each strain offers different medicinal effects, so you may want to try different strains until you find one that works best for your symptoms.

Even though the two most noticeable benefits of using cannabis for melanoma are freedom from nausea and vomiting, many people have said it’s helped reduce the severity of “wasting away.” They’ve also noticed reduced depression and other side effects the disease brings on, like an increase in their appetite. Since all these and other symptoms were relieved, many patients are claiming to live happier, better and more comfortable lives.

Best Strains of Marijuana to Use for Melanoma

The strains below all help fight cancer symptoms such as pain, nausea, stress, lack of appetite and depression:

• Obama Kush (Indica)
• Chemo (Indica)
• Blackberry Kush (Indica)
• ACDC (hybrid)
• Super Lemon Haze (Sativa)
• Northern Lights (Indica)
• Harlequin (Sativa)

Work with your medical marijuana doctor and dispensary budtender to find the strain or strain that works best for you.

Best Methods of Marijuana Treatment to Use to Treat Melanoma Symptoms

As the medical weed industry grows, doctors and patients are looking for ways to use this miracle medication in treatment. The good news is, bongs and joints are not their only choice anymore. Although these traditional methods provide relief, and many people take marijuana this way, higher-tech and safer alternatives are available. Some ways to get your marijuana and melanoma treatment include:

Vaporizers

These devices create a similar experience as smoking, but don’t include the drawbacks of ingesting tar and ash. They don’t burn away large THC and CBD amounts between puffs, which maximize the cannabis’ potential.

Edibles

Edibles are discreet and produce longer-lasting effects than vaporizers. You can make edibles at home by mixing in some cannabis oil or other weed ingredients into your recipe, or you can buy them at marijuana dispensaries.

Cannabis Oils

There is a whole range of cannabis oils on the market today with different THC and CBD concentrations. Since they’re versatile, you can inhale them through a vaporizer or consume them orally. 

Topicals

Many patients like to go the topical route. Topicals may come in lotions, creams, salves and oils and offer you localized relief from your inflammation and pain.

Transdermal Patches

Medical professionals often suggest adhering transdermal patches to the top of your foot or ankle, or on the inner area of your wrist.

To try marijuana for melanoma yourself, search for a medical marijuana doctor. You don’t have to struggle with the symptoms of melanoma and its treatment side effects. There’s hope out there.