fbpx
PeopleBeatingCancer

Recently Diagnosed or Relapsed? Stop Looking For a Miracle Cure, and Use Evidence-Based Therapies To Enhance Your Treatment and Prolong Your Remission

Multiple Myeloma an incurable disease, but I have spent the last 25 years in remission using a blend of conventional oncology and evidence-based nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle therapies from peer-reviewed studies that your oncologist probably hasn't told you about.

Click the orange button to the right to learn more about what you can start doing today.

Learn More

Myeloma Therapy- Cannabinoids

Share Button

Certainly more research is needed. However numerous studies cite CBD oil and cannabinoids as legitimate multiple myeloma therapy-

Western culture has long demonized those who would consume cannabis for recreational purposes either via inhalation, vaporization, edibles, or other forms of consumption. This is mainly due to the euphoria and potential anxiety that the plant can cause. However, plants are becoming more and more potent day after day because of the improved breeding methods. CBD oil has been cited to be a legitimate multiple myeloma therapy. 

In any case, no matter how controversial the topic of recreational use, cannabis is here to stay. I am a myeloma survivor who uses CBD oil without THC to help with sleep, anxiety, etc. 

What Researchers Say About the Effects of Cannabis in Cancer Treatment

Researchers are finally taking the study of cannabis seriously – a plant that’s been traditionally used in medicine for millennia. However, progress has been slow. Moreover, while cannabis is finally finding legal ways to make it onto actual store shelves in Canada, some parts of the USA, and a few specific regions of Europe, the rest of the world is still trying to understand the nature of this powerful plant. Deciding whether or not it’s the best time to follow the example of leading countries.

Canada is one of the powers that’s been devoted to pursuing different types of statistical research in order to determine whether or not long-term use of cannabis can be disruptive in today’s society. Especially now that their highly potent compounds are available nationwide as off the shelf products

Statistical data is obviously an important detail of cannabis use, but the true reason why researchers are interested in cannabis is its potential to radically reshape the medical industry. The Epilepsy Foundation claims that cannabis “could potentially help control

seizures,” a statement backed up by years of research from scientists that took time to study what’s called Epidiolex – a purified CBD (short for cannabidiol, one of the compounds found in cannabis) extract from the cannabis plant.

Another important study dating back to 2015 has shown serious results in helping people with the treatment of chronic pain and other psychiatric problems that would majorly impact someone’s life, with neuropathic pain treatment representing a key focus.

With all of these positive messages regarding research, a few questions remain unresolved:   

“Could cannabis ever be used to treat cancer (particularly myeloma) ? Is there truly a beneficial medical aspect to its chemical compounds? Moreover, if so, how do we employ them at scale?”

These are all questions that researchers have already gone through, and while there still is no clear answer to these daunting questions, progress – albeit slow – has been made. Two chemically pure drugs based on THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the main compound of cannabis) have been officially released ever since some small studies showed that the cannabinoid could help reduce the symptoms of cancer chemotherapy, treating nausea and vomiting.

Chemotherapy symptoms have been thoroughly studied from a cannabis perspective, but researchers couldn’t really gain much more in terms of data. They had to rely on what’s already been discovered due to the difficulty of extracting any relevant information from a plant that’s still technically illegal in most countries.

Yes, some small studies have tackled specific issues such as treating acute graft-versus-host disease (a disease caused when cells from a donated stem cell graft attack the normal tissue of the transplant patient) in cancer patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (a procedure in which a person receives blood-forming stem cells from a genetically similar donor.) However, nothing truly tangible came out of the entire process, only suggesting the need for larger studies that would tackle a whole range of variables in cancer research.

Moreover, while researchers keep tackling practical questions regarding cannabis, the future of the plant as a medical powerhouse is still unknown, especially when it comes down to cancer (myeloma)  treatment.

What the Future of Cannabis Research Holds

Even though we are still far from finding a cannabis-based treatment that could potentially revolutionize cancer treatment, people are increasingly interested in studying the plant and its effects based solely on the fact that it has proven to work in other areas of medicine, as previously stated.

In 2019, cannabis research will reach an all-time high, with countries like Canada and the USA investing heavily in trying to understand what this plant is truly capable of and how to apply its effects to the real world. Funding will continue to increase throughout the years as cannabis keeps growing and countries start getting interested in selling it as an off the shelf product.

Researchers around the world are eager to learn more about this powerful plant that seems to work wonders for the treatment of seizures and epilepsy, and while there’s still a lot to be discovered, the world of research remains hopeful that one-day cannabis-based drugs will be employed in a global setting.

Have you been diagnosed with cancer in general or multiple myeloma specifically ? Scroll down the page, post a question or comment and I will reply to you ASAP.

Thank you,

David Emerson

  • Multiple Myeloma Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:

History of Cannabis and Its Preparations in Saga, Science, and Sobriquet

“Cannabis sativa L. is possibly one of the oldest plants cultivated by man, but has remained a source of controversy throughout its history. Whether pariah or panacea, this most versatile botanical has provided a mirror to medicine and has pointed the way in the last two decades toward a host of medical challenges from analgesia to weight loss through the discovery of its myriad biochemical attributes and the endocannabinoid system wherein many of its components operate…”

Cross-breeding and Pollinating Cannabis: An Overview

“Fifteen years ago, buying a bag of weed was like rolling the dice. Sometimes, the product was fire, other times, not so much. But with the help of legalization, cannabis has evolved over the last few decades at an incredible rate. Today, thousands of different strains line dispensary shelves each with their own unique terpene and cannabinoid profiles (and some pretty interesting strain names, too) carefully designed to elicit a variety of outcomes – from energetic to lethargic and everything in between. But where do these strains come from? And are they really as different as they make themselves out to be?…”

Where is Marijuana Legal in the World

“Canada just became the second and largest country in the world to legalize weed nationwide. (Uruguay was the first.) Medical marijuana has been lawful in Canada since 2001, but prime minister Justin Trudeau’s successful campaign to open up recreational use is a landmark moment in the legalization movement..”

The government of Canada Invests in New Cannabis Research

“To address certain knowledge gaps in this area, Bill Blair, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and to the Minister of Health, today announced an investment of $1.4 million in funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for 14 research projects from across Canada…”

Medical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems

“Medical marijuana is used to treat a host of indications, a few of which have evidence to support treatment with marijuana and many that do not. Physicians should educate patients about medical marijuana to ensure that it is used appropriately and that patients will benefit from its use.”

Marijuana and Cancer

“At this time, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists marijuana and its cannabinoids as Schedule I controlled substances. This means that they cannot legally be prescribed, possessed, or sold under federal law. Whole or crude marijuana (including marijuana oil or hemp oil) is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical use. But the use of marijuana to treat some medical conditions is legal under state laws in many states…”

The stress-regulated protein p8 mediates cannabinoid-induced apoptosis of tumor cells.

“One of the most exciting areas of current research in the cannabinoid field is the study of the potential application of these compounds as antitumoral drugs. Here, we describe the signaling pathway that mediates cannabinoid-induced apoptosis of tumor cells. By using a wide array of experimental approaches, we identify the stress-regulated protein p8 (also designated as candidate of metastasis 1) as an essential mediator of cannabinoid antitumoral action and show that p8 upregulation is dependent on de novo-synthesized ceramide. We also observe that p8 mediates its apoptotic effect via upregulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes ATF-4, CHOP, and TRB3. Activation of this pathway may constitute a potential therapeutic strategy for inhibiting tumor growth.”

Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ) – Patient Version

“Small studies on certain cancer types have been done suggesting a need for larger studies.

The Future is Bright for Medical Cannabis

“As the medical cannabis industry separates itself from the recreational cannabis industry, patients are only seeing the beginning of what cannabis and its complex genetics can offer…”

 

 

Leave a Comment:

6 comments
Alan Milligan says last year

Hi David, I was diagnosed last October with Multiple Myloma and went rapidly into hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, for 5 doses of Radiotherapy. I then became an outpatient and began Chemotherapy. After 4 courses I was very surprised to be showing almost nil Para- Protiens, and as I was very high, 60odd some months earlier, everyone was surprised with my progress. My Doctor described it as undetectable just before I we t inside again for a Stem Cell Transplant which I’ve since completed, so I’m just waiting on an update from my Consultant.
I’d like some advice, if possible, regarding use of THC, as I had been using it just before the SCT, and some words on diet and excersize, if possible.
Thanks, Alan.

Reply
    David Emerson says last year

    Hi Alan-

    I sent you information to your email address. Let me know if you have any questions.

    David Emerson

    Reply
Andre Couture says a couple of years ago

I just got diagnosed with multiple myeloma and was wondering about using cannabis oils while doing chemotherapy. I am leaning on using at least cbd oils but also considering thc/cbd oils before bed. Your thoughts? Have you used cannabis since your diagnosis?

Reply
    David Emerson says a couple of years ago

    Hi Andre-

    I am sorry to learn of your MM diagnosis. While research of CBD and cannabinoids and multiple myeloma is minimal, there are a number of studies that cite cannabinoids as
    an effective therapy to reduce pain
    an effective therapy to reduce anxiety
    an effective therapy to heal bone and increase bone mineral density
    an integrative therapy meaning cannabinoids enhance the efficacy of Bortezomib (Velcade)

    And possibly an effective therapy against multiple myeloma itself though the research is limited.

    Several responses to your questions.

    No I have not used cannabis since my diagnosis. I live in Ohio. While cannabis has been approved for medical uses, there still is limited availability and little understanding of this complementary therapy by medical doctors.

    As for sleep therapy, yes, I have read several accounts where cancer patients take CBD before bed and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.

    I will link the studies below that cite what I am saying above.

    Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck,

    David Emerson

    Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/

    “This article reviews recent research on cannabinoid analgesia via the endocannabinoid system and non-receptor mechanisms, as well as randomized clinical trials employing cannabinoids in pain treatment.

    Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol®) and nabilone (Cesamet®) are currently approved in the United States and other countries, but not for pain indications. Other synthetic cannabinoids, such as ajulemic acid, are in development. Crude herbal cannabis remains illegal in most jurisdictions but is also under investigation.

    Sativex®, a cannabis derived oromucosal spray containing equal proportions of THC (partial CB1 receptor agonist ) and cannabidiol (CBD, a non-euphoriant, anti-inflammatory analgesic with CB1receptor antagonist and endocannabinoid modulating effects) was approved in Canada in 2005 for treatment of central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis, and in 2007 for intractable cancer pain.

    Numerous randomized clinical trials have demonstrated safety and efficacy for Sativex in central and peripheral neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer pain. An Investigational New Drug application to conduct advanced clinical trials for cancer pain was approved by the US FDA in January 2006.

    Cannabinoid analgesics have generally been well tolerated in clinical trials with acceptable adverse event profiles. Their adjunctive addition to the pharmacological armamentarium for treatment of pain shows great promise…”
    Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/

    “Cannabidiol (CBD), a Cannabis sativa constituent, is a pharmacologically broad-spectrum drug that in recent years has drawn increasing interest as a treatment for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

    The purpose of the current review is to determine CBD’s potential as a treatment for anxiety-related disorders, by assessing evidence from preclinical, human experimental, clinical, and epidemiological studies.

    We found that existing preclinical evidence strongly supports CBD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder when administered acutely; however, few studies have investigated chronic CBD dosing.

    Likewise, evidence from human studies supports an anxiolytic role of CBD, but is currently limited to acute dosing, also with few studies in clinical populations. Overall, current evidence indicates CBD has considerable potential as a treatment for multiple anxiety disorders, with need for further study of chronic and therapeutic effects in relevant clinical populations…”

    No bones about it: Cannabis may be used to treat fractures

    “A new study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research by Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University researchers explores another promising new medical application for marijuana.

    According to the research, the administration of the non-psychotropic component cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) significantly helps heal bone fractures. The study, conducted on rats with mid-femoral fractures, found that CBD — even when isolated from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis — markedly enhanced the healing process of the femora after just eight weeks.

    The research was led jointly by Dr. Yankel Gabet of the Bone Research Laboratory at the Department of Anatomy and Anthropology at TAU’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the late Prof. Itai Bab of Hebrew University’s Bone Laboratory…”

    The effects of cannabidiol and its synergism with bortezomib in multiple myeloma cell lines. A role for transient receptor potential vanilloid type-2

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24293211/

    “Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell (PC) malignancy characterised by the accumulation of a monoclonal PC population in the bone marrow (BM).

    Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid with antitumoural activities, and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-2 (TRPV2) channel has been reported as a potential CBD receptor. TRPV2 activation by CBD decreases proliferation and increases susceptibility to drug-induced cell death in human cancer cells…

    In this study, we identified the presence of heterogeneous CD138+TRPV2+ and CD138+TRPV2- PC populations in MM patients, whereas only the CD138+ TRPV2- population was present in RPMI8226 and U266 MM cell lines.

    Because bortezomib (BORT) is commonly used in MM treatment, we investigated the effects of CBD and BORT in CD138+TRPV2- MM cells and in MM cell lines transfected with TRPV2 (CD138+TRPV2+).

    These results showed that CBD by itself or in synergy with BORT strongly inhibited growth, arrested cell cycle progression and induced MM cells death by regulating the ERK, AKT and NF-κB pathways with major effects in TRPV2+ cells. These data provide a rationale for using CBD to increase the activity of proteasome inhibitors in MM…”

    Reply
paula Becker says 3 years ago

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma approximately 6 months ago. Had bone marrow transplant and have gone from 70% to 6% myeloma. What medical cannabis would you recommend

Reply
    David Emerson says 3 years ago

    Hi Paula-

    I am sorry to learn of your MM diagnosis but glad to read of your very good partial remission (VGPR). Because CBD oil is a state by state issue in the U.S., there is no single “best” brand or formula. The research that I’ve read cites the percentage of cannabinoids as being the most important in the CBD oil. The brands of CBD oil available on the internet, for example, by law, are made from industrial hemp and result in a very low percentage of cannabinoids.

    I will link a blog post below that cites the names of CBD strains that have high percentage of cannabinoids.

    https://peoplebeatingcancer.org/5-high-cannabinoid-percentage-c-b-d-oil-strains-for-multiple-myeloma/

    I should also put in a plug for the ability of anti-MM nutrition, supplementation and specific lifestyle therapies shown to also fight MM-

    Good luck,

    David Emerson

    Reply
Add Your Reply

Popular posts

Multiple Myeloma Diet
 Multiple Myeloma Multiple Myeloma Diet
Feb 15, 2022
Multiple Myeloma Survivor- A Different kind of Second Opinion-
 Multiple Myeloma
Nov 04, 2022
C-B-D Enhances Velcade (BORT)
 integrative therapy Multiple Myeloma
Aug 07, 2022
Are Endometrial Polyps Overtreated?
 non-conventional therapies side effects ID and prevention
Nov 14, 2021