Cannabis and prostate cancer

 

Can Cannabis cure prostate cancer? Exploring the anti-cancer functions of Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. It is a small gland found just in front of the rectum at the bottom of the bladder. Prostate cancer is becoming more and more prevalent in modern times. It is recommended that men and MTF transgender patients over 40 years old should have routine check-ups. Routine cancer screenings will include digital rectal examination as well as serum PSA (Prostate-specific Antigen) testing. PSA levels do tend to go up as men age, even without having prostate cancer.

The normal PSA reading for young men is between 4 and 10. In men aged between 40 and 60 years this number should not be higher than 4 and by age 70 a reading of 6.5 is still considered normal. The biggest problem with all cancers and especially prostate is late detection. If detected early there is a very good chance of curing this type of cancer. 

Conventional treatment for prostate cancer

Prostrate cancer starts off by developing small nodules or little bumps on the surface of the prostate gland. This is what doctors and urologists check for during a rectal exam. Most of the time the prostate doesn’t need to be removed if the cancer is detected early enough.

Prostate cancer can be treated by either conventional or alternative treatment methods. Conventional strategies for treating localized prostate cancer are determined by the patient’s age, condition, and availability of treatment routines. The age of targeted therapy has been a great success in cancer treatment over the past few decades. When cancer begins metastasizing the urologist might recommend radical treatment like removal of the prostate gland. 

The disadvantages of radical treatment

There are certain risks to be considered when discussing radical treatment. These include cardiovascular morbidity, acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), bone-fractures, diabetes, sexual dysfunction and dementia. As you can see there is an urgent need to develop safer and more effective therapies.

With regards to diabetes, it is interesting to note that men with local prostate cancer receiving hormonal treatment have a 44% higher chance of developing diabetes and a 16% higher chance of developing heart disease than men not receiving hormone treatment. Even more interesting is that; men who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes appear to have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. [1] 

What about prostate biopsies?

Even though a prostate biopsy can save one’s life, many men worry about whether this procedure will affect their sex lives. Certainly the anxiety of a biopsy is stressful enough but wondering about your sex-drive afterwards just contributes to the stress. Not all men develop problems after a biopsy but for most patients the recovery is gradual.

The good news is that due to robotic technology it is now becoming easier for urologists to preserve the tiny nerve-bundles that surround the prostate gland. In this way they are far more able today than ever before to support sexual potency after prostate surgery. 

How can Cannabis help?

The whole world is fast returning to concentrating on plant medicine that present far fewer side effects compared with pharmaceutical drugs. The ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine combines a number of plants used in the treatment of prostate cancer and especially Cannabis. The amazing thing about Cannabis is that it directly targets cancer cells without causing any damage to healthy cells. Cannabis is also very effective in calming the symptoms of chemotherapy, for example, nausea, pain, depression, lack of appetite, insomnia and constipation.

Cannabis kills cancer cells through more than one mechanism

The reason why Cannabis can cure most cancers is because Cannabis and the (ECS) control the process of Apoptosis and Autophagy within our bodies. These are the anti-tumour properties of Cannabis. Curing cancer involves a few processes and it starts with the boosting of the ECS, treating inflammation and the strengthening of the immune system. Free radicals cause oxidative stress and this is how mutant cells are formed that inevitably leads to cancer in the body.

What is Autophagy and Apoptosis?

Autophagy is a biological process involving cellular destruction of unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components and mutant cells. This is how Cannabis helps us to get rid of damaged cells like cancerous-cells for instance. Damaged organelles, cell membranes and proteins are broken down and excreted, but there is no damage at all to healthy cells, unlike most cancer-fighting drugs that kill off healthy and damaged cells. Through the process of autophagy the body can suppress the growth of a tumour by preventing damaged components of the cells to accumulate. These mutant cancerous-cells are dreadful and deadly because they have lost their ability to undergo another process known as apoptosis. This is programmed cell death or cellular-suicide if you like.

Cannabis induces apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells, through the healing powers of the Cannabinoids, terpenes, antioxidants and polyphenols contained within the plant. One of the reasons why Cannabis is able to induce apoptosis is because of the presence of a terpene known as Humulene. It is able to trigger the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which is what causes apoptosis to take place. This makes the Humulene terpene part of the defence system of Cannabis. 

Please visit You Tube to view the video produced by Dr Christina Sanchez, a molecular biologist from Spain. [2] She explains precisely how the process of apoptosis works. Cells induce death upon themselves, and this is why it is referred to as cellular-suicide. The failure of the process of apoptosis and autophagy is the main reason for on-going cell damage, and this is also what speeds up the aging process. It seems obvious that we need to boost the ECS with Cannabis medicine in order to maintain good health and longevity. 

Numerous illegal human-trials have revealed that Cannabis in virtually any form can contribute to saving human beings from various cancers. We have learnt about the mechanisms by which Cannabis can do this through the biological processes of apoptosis and autophagy. 

Cannabis has anti-androgenic properties

Cannabis has anti-angiogenetic properties, which means that it can stop cancer cells from developing blood vessels and growing into tumors. Cannabis also decreases the expression of the receptors responsible for the growth of cancer cells. We know that Cannabis can cure cancer, and it is now a well-known scientific fact that Cannabis has effectively killed all the different types of cancer cells that science has tested to date. [3]

Androgens are the hormones that regulate the sex characteristics. Males are born with more androgens than females who are born with more estrogens. Anti-androgen drugs block the effects of androgens like testosterone. It is worth noting that anti-androgenic drugs do not actually stop testosterone production. In the early stages the prostate cancer cells feed off androgens like testosterone. Cannabis block androgens from binding to androgen-receptors in prostate cancer cells. In this way Cannabis starves the cancer cells and prevents them from growing. [4]

Pain and inflammation

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Cannabis are well documented. Pain and cancer are the most researched and written about conditions that are successfully cured with Cannabis. Cannabis can impact the severe cancer pain in both prostate and bone cancer. By reducing opioid consumption, patients are benefiting from possible dependence and the awful side-effects. The wonderful thing about Cannabis is that it can be used to relieve multiple symptoms at the same time with hardly any side-effects. 

Post-operative pain 

Many men experience pain after surgery and this is mostly due to internal bruising caused during the operation. This can also happen after chemotherapy or radiation because of the damage to the nerves in close proximity. Experiencing pain during erection or ejaculation are common complaints right after surgery. Some men recover within weeks, others take months and even others can take over a year to fully recovery. 

 

Depression and fatigue

A lack of testosterone will increase a man’s general risk of depression regardless of whether he has prostate cancer or not. When exploring different strains, we look for those that can offer patients an energy boost, especially when chemotherapy and radiation can wear them down. I find that using any of the sativa strains that we can literally clear a patients mind and kick-start thoughts of important value from within their souls. Cannabis also improves one’s appetite and helps patients to sleep better. Patients with cancer need a lot of sleep to help the body to recovery.

Cancer can certainly weigh heavy on a man’s mind, and this in turn affects sex-drive. The truth is that sexual dysfunction and impotency are complicated matters and men have to deal with the emotional aspects as well. Often-times prostate surgery can exasperate the situation and this can also lead to depression. Many men will tell you that the most feared side-effect of prostate therapy is the effect on sexual health. Cannabis can help men with the psychological trauma associated with prostate cancer by controlling hormone release and bringing clarity of mind.

It is important to seek professional help to deal with the emotional waves involved in prostate cancer and the treatment. For men in relationships I really encourage you to open dialogue with your partner and have an open and honest conversation about your fears and feelings. You may find that your partner shares these same emotions within your relationship. 

Cardiovascular issues

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) decreases androgens in the body. Prostate cancer needs androgens to survive. Research has shown that there is an increased risk of heart disease and heart attack in men using this type of treatment. And, often times ADT is used in conjunction with radiation therapy. According to the American Medical Journal the combination of these two therapies increases the risk of heart attacks. Men with known heart disease or previous heart attack must discuss these serious risks with their doctor or urologist. [5] Scientists have observed the cardio-protective properties of Cannabis and that Cannabis users have elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein in their blood that protects against heart disease and heart attacks. [6-7]

Dementia

There is enough evidence to justify concern that hormone treatments as well as chemotherapy and radiation in prostate cancer is linked to an increased risk of developing dementia. Oncologists say that it is ‘likely a small risk’ and that this small risk shouldn’t overcome the potential for survival because of the treatment.

Some urologists feel that this topic shouldn’t even be discussed with patients. They feel that in this sector of the population, dementia may not even be from the hormonal treatments. It is known that as people live longer the chances of developing dementia is naturally increased. It is wise to discuss all your concerns with your urologist to avoid any confusion.

It is important to bear in mind that recent neurological research has revealed that Cannabis destroys the protein that causes Alzheimer’s disease. We are very confident in the healing abilities of Cannabis in respect of all types of dementia. [8]

Which form of Cannabis works best for prostate cancer?

Today there are so many options available to consume Cannabis medicine. From smoking and vaping to juicing and dabbing, even edibles, you can choose from a list. 

Suppositories are perfect to treat localized conditions

In my experience the best way to treat prostate cancer is with Cannabis suppositories. I use this same method in the treatment of bladder and uterine cancers and other pelvic conditions. The reason for this is the way in which the ECS receptors express themselves at the time of prostate cancer. In Thors et al, 2010, scientists observed that ECS receptor expression is increased in prostate cancer cells. The receptors are naturally down-regulated in healthy prostate cells. This highlights the anti-cancer properties of our natural endocannabinoids and plant derived cannabinoids. The receptors on the cancerous prostate cells are open and ready for the healing offered by Cannabis. [9] Scientists have noted that Cannabis can have a profound effect on prostate cancer. In 2005 researchers from University of Wisconsin declared that “Cannabis had an astonishing effect on prostate cancer”.

How effective are Cannabis suppositories?

Cannabis suppositories are reputed to be more effective than other forms of administration, and with less of the 'high'. While bioavailability depends on an individual’s level of cannabinoid experience, when we look at inhalation and oral consumption you are looking at cannabinoid bioavailability of around 10 to 20%. By using suppositories a patient can receive between 50 and 70% bioavailability. This form of administration has a much faster uptake than oral administration, between 7 and 10 minutes on average. 

Rectal administration leads to more consistent cannabinoid blood concentrations

Besides smoke inhalation, suppositories are the fastest way to get Cannabis medicine into the bloodstream. So much so that I often use this method to treat fever and even chronic pain. It really is amazing how many conditions can be treated with this delivery system, even conditions that manifest in other parts of the body. This is because we have Cannabinoid receptors in our entire blood stream. In her book At Home with Cannabis Empress Author Kelly McQue on page 84 & 85 offers a fabulous step by step recipe for making Cannabis suppositories in the comfort of your home.

A word of caution when dealing with hormonal cancers

When administering Cannabis medicine doctors and healers must be aware that certain cancers are driven by hormones e.g. breast, ovarian, uterine, testicular and prostrate cancers. This means that these types of cancers feed off hormones like testosterone, estrogen and progesterone for example.

It is important to understand that Cannabis, and in particular THC and CBD also drive the endocrine system that controls our hormones. This means that a high THC medicine might over-stimulate the production and release of hormones like testosterone. Please note that CBD can do the same because it also interacts with the human endocrine system. And while science has proven that cannabinoids like THC and CBD can both stimulate and inhibit the production of any of the hormones, with hormonal-cancers I prefer to err on the safe side. When dealing with these types of cancer I only use very low CBD/THC plants.

There is no doubt that the ECS is actively involved in fighting prostate cancer. We have seen patients recover even after their tumors had spread to other parts of the body. And while we cannot guarantee success in every single patient we must realize that early detection is the key to curing any disease and especially the cancers of this world. It is natural for younger men to assume that this is “an old man’s disease” but getting tested and taking good care of oneself from young is important to prevent problems in later years.

It is also essential that one maintains the ECS by supplementing with cannabinoids on a daily basis as you would take a vitamin pill. When you become ill the ECS is called to cure your body. In this process your natural endocannabinoids and receptors are depleted. The ECS must be supplemented with cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant so that you can continue to enjoy your golden years in excellent health.