Cancer, the big C. This disease will afflict 1,762,450 people in the United States alone in 2019, according to an article by the American Cancer Society*. While people are seeking a healthy alternative lifestyle to combat the disease people are also seeking relief from the symptoms caused by the cancers, and its traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy and radiation are meant to attack rapidly dividing cells and cancer is one of those cells. Other cells in our bodies are also affected, like the lining in your stomach and the ones that grow hair on your head. Since chemotherapy drugs can affect your entire body, you’re likely to feel worse after a round treatment.
Cancer is daunting enough without adding insult to injury in the form of additional physical issues. Many of our guests have found certain medical cannabis products aid in alleviating symptoms related to their cancer treatment. Please understand that a given product may not have the same effect from one person or another, and we always suggest starting with low, controlled doses.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting seem to be at the forefront of symptoms that occur not just from certain cancers, but from the treatment. Trying to maintain good health will be a challenge if proper foods and fluids can’t make it into your system. Consuming cannabis products high in Delta 8, preferably in inhalation for quicker relief, seem to show great benefits for increasing appetite and reducing nausea and vomiting. Tinctures high in terpenes like peppermint, ginger and bergamot also have anti-nausea effects. Products like Fairwinds’ Digestify are fortified with these terpenes and could have a potential benefit to heading off these symptoms if used before the onset.
Fatigue
Fatigue is second on our list of items to combat while undergoing treatment. Chemotherapy can deplete your red blood cell supply which carry oxygen throughout the body. Dizziness, shortness of breath and irritable mood can also be the result of this depletion. Consuming sativa-dominant products like Moxy’s 1:1 Peppermint Energizing Mints may effectively combat fatigue, and nausea together. Sativa dominant strains and terpenes like Pinene, and Limonene have uplifting mind and body effects to counteract the fatigue, not to mention the peppermint to help abate nausea.
Pain
Pain is last but certainly not least. It’s just as hindering to optimal healing as the other symptoms. Pain can range from muscular to nerve pain and some patients have localized pain due to their specific cancers, or general body pain from the treatment. In any case, equal amounts of THC and CBD ratios are effective for severe pain, items like CBD Ratio 1:1 tinctures or candies can be very effective. Having terpenes like Linalool and Myrcene can also really help relax the body and mind for pain to start to subside. These ratios can cause some intoxication, so for more daytime use a 5:1 ratio can be as effective for mild to moderate pain, with little to no intoxicating effects. Edibles have the benefit of longer lasting relief throughout the day, yet if you find yourself in crisis and needing immediate relief, having a vaping option may come in handy.
By Sandra E. Stroud
* Scholarly Resources:
https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2019.html