Friday, January 13, 2023

AUTOPHAGY: One of the secret weapons of Cannabis medicine in the fight against cancer and autoimmune conditions

 


Cannabis kills cancer cells through more than one mechanism namely anti-angiogenesis, apoptosis and autophagy. There are a few processes involved, starting with the boosting of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), the treating of inflammation and the strengthening of the immune system.

Autophagy (pronounced or-tof-o-gee) is one of the secrets to the success of Cannabis Medicine because Cannabis is the only known botanical that can induce this biological process. In plants, autophagy evolved as a defense-mechanism to environmental stresses for example nutrient starvation and drought. Autophagy is a process involving cellular clearing and destruction of unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components and organelles as well as mutant cells, like mis-folded proteins aka amyloid deposits that cause Altzheimer’s disease and other neuro-degenerative conditions. Damaged organelles, cell membranes and proteins are broken down and excreted, without any damage at all to healthy cells, unlike most cancer-fighting drugs which kill off healthy and damaged cells.

Both CBD and THC as well as certain terpenes and flavinoids are able to induce autophagy and thereby decrease tumor growth and progression.

Through the process of autophagy the body can suppress the growth of tumors 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 also programmed cell death, but sometimes these tumors are just too strong, and this is the reason that they don’t simply die and just carry on multiplying. Today we even have tumors with hair and teeth called ‘teratomas’.

We need the vital components from the Cannabis plant to assist in inducing apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells, through the healing powers of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavinoids, antioxidants and polyphenols contained within the plant. [1-3]

Cannabis is the only known botanical that is capable of inducing autophagy

Cannabis induces the biological process of autophagy through the mechanism that is now famously known as ‘the munchies’. The only other real way to induce autophagy is to teach the patient how to fast by withholding food and forcing the body into a state of hunger. Cannabis does this quite successfully with the minimum of effort for the patient.

Autophagy is not only useful for preventing cancer formation but also for a number of other health benefits for example resetting of the nervous and immune systems. In my opinion one of the most potent effects of autophagy is the virtual elimination of inflammation in the body. There is no doubt that autophagy is a therapeutic target to reverse many diseases including so called ‘auto-immune’ diseases as well as age-related degenerative conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis and even dementia. Autophagy is also deeply concerned with homeostasis and the perfection of body balance.

Restricting calories and exercising intermittent or alternate-day fasting has so many benefits for achieving excellent health. If you look to the ancients you will realize that the practice of fasting for health purposes has been done for as long as man has dwelled on Earth. According to one of my mentors Dr Henry Ealy, in order for good health to prevail the human body needs to become hungry every single day for the sole purpose of inducing autophagy to protect us against mutant cellular activity and to ensure that the body rids itself of these damaged mutant cell organisms as a defense mechanism against all disease. This is one of the greatest secrets of Cannabis medicine so we can see how important this maintenance system is for the health and longevity of human beings.  


Dr Henry Ealy ~ https://www.energetichealthinstitute.org/meet-our-team/

It is a privilege and honor to dedicate this post to Dr Henry Ealy who inspired me to write this paper with his brilliant explanation of how Cannabis induces autophagy and I give thanks for wisdom!

Beside the affects of CBD and THC, another reason why Cannabis is able to induce autophagy is because of the presence of a terpene known as D-limonene and together with Humulene, another powerful Cannabis terpene, these two terpenes form a major part of the cancer-defense system of Cannabis because both together with the cannabinoids are able to trigger the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and this is what causes autophagy and apoptosis to occur. [4-14]

The failure of the process of autophagy is the main reason for on-going cell damage and cancer, and this is also what speeds up the aging process. It seems obvious that we need to boost our systems with Cannabis in order to maintain good health and longevity into our golden years. [15] 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 the plant against to date. [16]

There is now scientific proof that the EC system is involved in the cellular death of human proximal tubular (HK2) cells. [17] These human kidney cells originate from the kidney cells of the HK2 gene on the 2nd chromosome, and these cells are required in the formation of tumors in most cancers because they cause renal tubule hypertrophy (enlargement of cells). Through the function of autophagy the ECS is able to cause these cells to commit cellular suicide, a type of programmed cellular death, for example in the case of nutrient starvation.

This is how Cannabis contributes to reducing hypertrophy throughout the body by providing the supplements that our ECS needs to perform its functions. Every single one of us needs a daily dose of Cannabis to sustain our health and the fact that we have Cannabis receptors in our brains is proof that we are literally wired to consume this plant. [18-23]   

Personally I find it completely fascinating to realise that as human beings we have evolved to produce the human versions of CBD and THC in the form of our two endocannabinoids named Anandamide and 2-AG. The wonderful thing about human body wisdom is that these two endocannabinoids already know how to use autophagy to suppress tumor formation inside the body. In the same way Cannabis phytocannabinoids also carry out these functions within the body. Incrediby interesting to note is that Cannabis also knows that autophaphy will stimulate the vagus nerves and this has numerous health benefits that I will address in my next paper. The secret to this plant medicine is simply to supplement the ECS with Cannabis in order to enjoy your life without illness, depression or suffering. [24]

Heal Thy Self ~ Healthy Self

CITATIONS:

[1] (Tomko et al, 21 July 2020) “Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonids Present in Cannabis.” Journal Cancers Volume 12 Issue 7 page 1985 PMCID: PMC7409346 PMID: 32708138

[2]  Armstrong J.L., Hill D.S., McKee C.S., Hernandez-Tiedra S., Lorente M., Lopez-Valero I., Eleni Anagnostou M., Babatunde F., Corazzari M., Redfern C.P.F., et al. Exploiting cannabinoid-induced cytotoxic autophagy to drive melanoma cell death. J. Investig. Dermatol. 2015;135:1629–1637. doi: 10.1038/jid.2015.45. 

[3] Glodde N., Jakobs M., Bald T., Tüting T., Gaffal E. Differential role of cannabinoids in the pathogenesis of skin cancer. Life Sci. 2015;138:35–40. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.04.003. 

[4] Hajizadeh M., Maleki H., Barani M., Fahmidehkar M., Mahmoodi M., Torkzadeh-Mahani M. In vitro cytotoxicity assay of d-limonene niosomes: An efficient nano-carrier for enhancing solubility of plant-extracted agents. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2019;14:448–458. doi: 10.4103/1735-5362.268206. 

[5] Hafidh R.R., Hussein S.Z., MalAllah M.Q., Abdulamir A.S., Abu Bakar F. A high-throughput quantitative expression analysis of cancer-related genes in human HepG2 cells in response to limonene, a potential anticancer agent. Curr. Cancer Drug Targets. 2018;18:807–815. doi: 10.2174/1568009617666171114144236. 

[6] Zhang X.-Z., Wang L., Liu D.-W., Tang G.-Y., Zhang H.-Y. Synergistic inhibitory effect of berberine and d-limonene on human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803. J. Med. Food. 2014;17:955–962. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2967. 

[7] Bishayee A., Rabi T. d-Limonene sensitizes docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity in human prostate cancer cells: Generation of reactive oxygen species and induction of apoptosis. J. Carcinog. 2009;8:9. doi: 10.4103/1477-3163.51368. 

[8] Berliocchi L., Chiappini C., Adornetto A., Gentile D., Cerri S., Russo R., Bagetta G., Corasaniti M.T. Early LC3 lipidation induced by d-limonene does not rely on mTOR inhibition, ERK activation and ROS production and it is associated with reduced clonogenic capacity of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Phytomedicine. 2018;40:98–105. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.01.005. 

[9] Russo R., Cassiano M.G.V., Ciociaro A., Adornetto A., Varano G.P., Chiappini C., Berliocchi L., Tassorelli C., Bagetta G., Corasaniti M.T. Role of d-limonene in autophagy induced by bergamot essential oil in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. PLoS ONE. 2014;9:e113682. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113682. 

[10] Yu X., Lin H., Wang Y., Lv W., Zhang S., Qian Y., Deng X., Feng N., Yu H., Qian B. d-limonene exhibits antitumor activity by inducing autophagy and apoptosis in lung cancer. Onco Targets Ther. 2018;11:1833–1847. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S155716. 

[11] Haag J.D., Lindstrom M.J., Gould M.N. Limonene-induced regression of mammary carcinomas. Cancer Res. 1992;52:4021–4026. 

[12] Gould M.N., Moore C.J., Zhang R., Wang B., Kennan W.S., Haag J.D. Limonene chemoprevention of mammary carcinoma induction following direct in situ transfer of v-Ha-ras. Cancer Res. 1994;54:3540–3543. 

 [13] Elegbede J.A., Elson C.E., Tanner M.A., Qureshi A., Gould M.N. Regression of rat primary mammary tumors following dietary d-limonene. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1986;76:323–325. 

[14] Nakaizumi A., Baba M., Uehara H., Iishi H., Tatsuta M. d-Limonene inhibits N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine induced hamster pancreatic carcinogenesis. Cancer Lett. 1997;117:99–103. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3835(97)00207-3. 

[15] Manuele M.G., Barreiro Arcos M.L., Davicino R., Ferraro G., Cremaschi G., Anesini C. Limonene exerts antiproliferative effects and increases nitric oxide levels on a lymphoma cell line by dual mechanism of the ERK pathway: Relationship with oxidative stress. Cancer Investig. 2009;28:135–145. doi: 10.3109/07357900903179583. 

[16] Cannabis is the Human Companion Plant Chapter 3 page 24 and 18

[17] (Weeks, 2018) “Standard cancer treatment must be adapted to the type and location of tumor,whereas Cannabis is an equal opportunity killer. Cannabis can kill all types of cancer cells” www.rxleaf.com 27 November 2018 

[18] (Velasco PhD et al 2016) “Anti-cancer mechanisms of cannabinoids”. Current Oncology Journal 16 March 2016 Volume 23 (Suppl 2) pages 523-532 PMCID: PMC 4791144 PMID: 27022311

[19] (Dr Edward R Laskowski MD, Mayo Clinic, 2018) “What are the risks of sitting too much?” 8 May 2018

[20] (Jenkin KA et al, 2010) Physiology and Biochemistry Journal Volume 26 Issue 6 (879-86) Research Gate January 2010

[21] (hemphealer.com, 2012) “Hemp repairs DNA” The Inspired Observer 14 April 2012

[22] (Jan Komorowski et al 2007) “The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Regulation of Endocrine Function and in the Control of Energy Balance in humans”. Journal High Med Dosw. Volume 61 pages 99-105 PMID: 17369778

[23] (J Garcia-Leme and Sandra P Farsky 1993) “Hormonal Control of Inflammatory Responses” Journal Mediators Inflammation Volume 2 Issue 3, PMC 2365405 PMID: 18475521

[24] (Patsos et al, December 2005) “The endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, induces cell death in colorectal carcinoma cells: a possible role for cyclooxygenase2.” Journal GUT Volume 54 Issue 12 pages 1741-1750 PMCID: PMC1774787 PMID: 16099783

Heal Thy Self ~ Healthy Self


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