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.
