By Jay Jay O'Brien Certified Cannabis Wellness Coach and Educator

In August of 2023, the Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) that lay dormant for more than 3 years reared its ugly head; in mine. 11 tumors in my brain caused a midline shift in my skull leading to dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and severe migraines that wouldn’t quit.

The doctors were as adamant about radiation as I was against it. The ‘precision’ of the technology did little to ease the fears that arose with the thought of radioactive electromagnetic waves coming close to my sensitive physiological central processing unit. It was described to me that the tumors were near regions that manage my short-term memory, the functionality of the right side of my body, and the regulation of my balance and stability and it seemed to me a risk to invade these areas with toxins. I could only imagine healthy tissue damage, a secondary cancer, and horrendous side effects beyond any potential benefit it offered.

I declined, much to their dismay, and chose to resume my prescribed Cannabis and targeted therapy protocol.

Two Months Later, The Radiation Doctor Revealed That The 11 Tumors Were “Almost Completely Resolved"

Within three weeks of returning to my protocol, the 11 tumors were reduced to nine, the nine slimming down to a quarter of their previous size. Two months later, the radiation doctor revealed that the 11 tumors were “almost completely resolved”, leaving behind nothing more than scar tissue and calcification.

The medication often gets all the credit, but I’m confident Cannabis was the catalyst for my dramatic transformation. Still, it’s difficult to ascertain with absolute certainty without the medical community's support.

Malignant Tumors Affecting The Central Nervous System (CNS) Remain Some of The Deadliest Cancers.

As legalization progresses, an increasing number of studies are exploring the health advantages of Cannabis, a crucial endeavor given the persistent lethality of malignant brain tumors affecting the Central Nervous System (CNS). Unfortunately, there have been limited breakthroughs in successful treatments for these cancers in the last two decades. (1) It was estimated that in 2022, there would be 25,050 newly diagnosed and 18,280 deaths from primary malignant brain tumors. (2)

Throughout history, Cannabis has been utilized primarily for symptom-based relief, addressing various conditions such as Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV), appetite stimulation, seizure management, pain relief, and for the treatment of neuropathy. However, its use for treating malignant brain tumors has not been as extensively explored or applied despite the evidence of its ability to induce apoptosis, also known as “programmed cancer cell death.” (3)

The pro-apoptotic effects of cannabinoids were shown in 1998 by Manuel Guzman along with the great potential for them to be used as an efficacious adjuvant in the treatment of brain tumors. (4) Since then, we’ve seen Cannabis exhibit significant ability to reduce cancer cell growth, preventing proliferation, or progression of cancer, by inhibiting many of the cell signaling pathways responsible for cellular growth, along with its ability to kill cancer cells. (5) 

Plant-based Cannabinoids, Like THC and CBD, Have Been Found to Induce Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis)

Plant-based cannabinoids or phytocannabinoids, like THC and CBD, have been found to induce programmed cancer cell death (apoptosis) in some brain cancer cell lines like glioma and glioblastoma. Through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and autophagy, these plant molecules prove to be powerful adjuvants to cancer therapy. (6)

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants results in oxidative stress, the consequences of which are oxidative modifications of lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins, the building blocks of cells. (7) CBD has been found to possess antioxidant activity. It can reduce the number of oxidants directly or improve the action of antioxidants, inhibiting the progression of several cancer types, including brain cancer. (8)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to initiate ER stress by disrupting the balance between the lipid molecules responsible for cell synthesis. This disruption, caused by THC’s interaction with the cannabinoid receptors of the endocannabinoid system, CB1 and CB2, leads to an unfolded protein response (UPR) crucial to ER function and homeostasis. (9)

Activation of CB1 and CB2 Receptors by These Phytocannabinoid Molecules Triggers Various Responses Leading to Cancer Cell Death.

Cannabis can be considered a potential treatment for cancer due to the presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors in many tumors. CB2 expression is closely linked to the aggressiveness of malignancies, while CB1 expression generally rises or remains stable. Studies using animal models of glioma have shown that cannabinoid therapies can lead to substantial tumor reduction by promoting apoptosis and decreasing tumor cell proliferation through receptor activation pathways. (10)

As Cannabis legalization advances, researchers are delving into its potential as a promising treatment for malignant brain tumors, which have seen limited progress in recent decades. With over 25,000 new diagnoses and 18,000 deaths projected in 2022 alone, the urgency for effective therapies is palpable. 

Plant-derived cannabinoids like THC and CBD are emerging as powerful agents capable of inducing programmed cell death in brain cancer cells and the presence of CB1 and CB2 receptors in tumors further underscores Cannabis's potential for significant tumor reduction in animal models of glioma. These findings illuminate a promising path forward, where Cannabis-based therapies could transform the landscape of brain cancer treatment, management, and prevention.

References:

1. Rodriguez-Almaraz, J.E., Butowski, N. Therapeutic and Supportive Effects of Cannabinoids in Patients with Brain Tumors (CBD Oil and Cannabis). Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 24, 30–44 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-022-01047-y.

2. Thierheimer, Marisa et al. “Mortality trends in primary malignant brain and central nervous system tumors vary by histopathology, age, race, and sex.” Journal of neuro-oncology vol. 162,1 (2023): 167-177. doi:10.1007/s11060-023-04279-6.

3. Sánchez C, Galve-Roperh I, Canova C, Brachet P, Guzmán M. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in C6 glioma cells. FEBS Lett [Internet]. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd; 1998 [cited 2022 Apr 16];436:6–10.

4. Mendhi Henna Dasram, Pavesan Naidoo, Roderick B. Walker, Sandile M. Khamanga, Targeting the Endocannabinoid System Present in the Glioblastoma Tumour Microenvironment as a Potential Anti-Cancer Strategy, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 10.3390/ijms25031371, 25, 3, (1371), (2024).

5. Tomko, Andrea M et al. “Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis.” Cancers vol. 12,7 1985. 21 Jul. 2020, doi:10.3390/cancers12071985.

6. Dariš, Barbara et al. “Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation.” Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences vol. 19,1 14-23. 12 Feb. 2019, doi:10.17305/bjbms.2018.3532.

7. Pagano, Cristina et al. “Molecular Mechanism of Cannabinoids in Cancer Progression.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 22,7 3680. 1 Apr. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22073680.

8. Atalay, Sinemyiz et al. “Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.” Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 9,1 21. 25 Dec. 2019, doi:10.3390/antiox9010021.

9. Podinić T, Werstuck G, Raha S. The Implications of Cannabinoid-Induced Metabolic Dysregulation for Cellular Differentiation and Growth. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023; 24(13):11003. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241311003.

10. Hermanson, Daniel J, and Lawrence J Marnett. “Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, and cancer.” Cancer metastasis reviews vol. 30,3-4 (2011): 599-612.

About Jay Jay O’Brien:

Jay Jay is the founder and creator of naturalisticallynow and the Canecdotal Collective, where she educates and assists people with cancer, implementing Cannabis into their protocols. As a stage 4 lung cancer survivor and caregiver to her type 1 diabetic son, Jay Jay has learned that you truly do "get what you give", and with Cannabis, she believes we have the opportunity to give our bodies the opportunity to truly heal rather than just masking our symptoms. Through her own experience of healing, she has now made it her mission to share the capabilities of Cannabis with all who will listen.

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Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.