Cancer is a very severe health condition and the common side effects of standard cancer treatment, like vomiting, nausea, anxiety, and mucositis, are likely to considerably reduce the standard of health. Several individuals who have survived cancer and who have active disease, utilize treatment options described as ‘CAMs’ to ease the symptoms.
Some of the commonly utilized CAMs are herbal supplements, tai chi or yoga, acupuncture, massage, mindfulness meditation, and special diets. Some patients choose cannabis derivatives, even though the US heavily regulates the utilization of these goods.
There is not enough clarity about the efficacy and legality of CBD and other cannabis derivatives, and access to the two aforesaid products is not consistent among US states. However, more and more CBD cancer treatment options are sold at brick and mortar stores and online, which has played a part in their increased popularity. This greater popularity makes it necessary for cancer care team members to understand the possible risks that these items pose to patients who utilize them.
Cannabidiol And The US FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is not evaluating the effectiveness and safety of cannabidiol items before these are introduced to the market. The said items should go through approval processes before utilization only if these are considered dangerous or if their distributors make claims that are consistent with intents to diagnose, treat, mitigate or stop the disease.
There exist over 100 phytocannabinoids in cannabis, with the two most active ones being tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Cannabis-based THC accounts for the mind-altering effect of the plant and its derivatives.
Cannabidiol comes from the oil-like resin of industrial hemp, a plant that is also known as cannabis sativa. CBD is taken out of hemp herbs through pressurized CO2, so it is not technically possible to categorize it as a form of essential oil. Anyhow, individuals utilize it in ways akin to several essential oils.
While the Farm Bill of 2018 legalized the trade of hemp derivatives having 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, the FDA still has control over these goods. Besides, these have to adhere to the FD&C Act.
The FDA regulates no CBD product except for one, so there exists a lack of understanding about how prevalently the former is used for cancer too. The above is partly due to a lack of awareness about the CBD items whose use the FDA is yet to approve for people including cancer patients. So, there exists a need for more education regarding how to safely use these to treat cancer. For instance, do you know how much should be your CBD oil cancer dosage? If you do not, there would be a need to educate you about it.