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

The knives pincushioning my lower back and spine tickled in comparison to the twisting of the sword wedged between my ribcage. Piercing pain spread throughout my crippled legs, hips, lower back, and spine as every breath tightened like a vice squeezing the air out of my cancer-stricken lungs.

The task of taking a step tormented me to tears, transporting me to the emergency room of my local hospital where I learned from doctors that nothing was wrong with me!

Imagine that!

Eight months later, the diagnosis I suspected was confirmed by an oncologist. I had cancer!

The Pain I Experienced From Bone Metastases Was A 9 out of 10 Intractable Pain

In November 2019, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). It was graded as stage ‘4’ because the cancer had spread from its primary origin (the lung) to other areas of my body, primarily the bones and lymph nodes.

Bone metastasis is common among many cancer types with the skeleton being the third most common location of metastasis, after the lung and liver, and is the most frequent symptom presented in cancer. (1)

Breast, prostate, and lung are the most common cancers to metastasize to bone. Still, many cancers can do so, outside of some blood cancers like Leukemia, which are already considered widespread, metastatic conditions. 

The pain I experienced from bone metastases was a 9 out of 10 intractable pain. Intractable pain is identified as a relentless, severe, debilitating pain that is not curable by any known means and can be divided into 3 categories; ongoing pain, spontaneous breakthrough pain, or movement-related breakthrough pain. This type of pain is frequently encountered by individuals dealing with bone cancer or metastatic bone pain.

Bone metastases destroy bone increasing the risk of fractures, anemia, and pain, reducing quality of life, and shortening life expectancy. (2)

Cannabis Became The Lifeline Denied To Me By Doctors

Treatment of Cancer-Induced Bone Pain (CIBP) continues to be a challenge. Typically managed with opioids and NSAIDs, this targeted treatment can lead to more serious complications as opioids carry the burden of promoting bone loss and brittleness. (3)

Before being admitted to hospital, I had been maxing out on daily doses of over-the-counter pain relievers. In excruciating pain and struggling to draw breath, I was given Hydromorphone by the emergency room nurse to no avail. Then came Torodol, a fleeting respite that eased my breathing without dulling the pain before Percocet won the day providing temporary relief that waned completely within 2-3 weeks.

The pain was going nowhere, and I was running out of options. The oncologist offered me an injection of Zoledronic Acid, which came with a host of side effects, the most deterrent being death! I needed a real solution.

Cannabis became the lifeline denied to me by doctors. After the 1st dose of approximately 20-30 mg of THC, in the form of a highly concentrated Cannabis oil, I never experienced the deep bone pain from metastasis EVER again. This result confirmed that Cannabis was the alternative that was going to work for me.

Classical Cannabinoid Receptors as Target in Cancer-Induced Bone Pain

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) has drawn attention for its roles in sensory perception, transmission, and pain modulation. Made up of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes, the ECS can inhibit or modulate the function of ‘nociceptive’, or pain-perceiving pathways.

Rat and human data from a systematic review, meta-analysis, and bioinformatics validation from the paper “Classical Cannabinoid Receptors as Target in Cancer-Induced Bone Pain,”  determined that CB1 and CB2 receptors (CBRs) are found in various pathways related to pain, inflammation, immune response, and cancer, making these effective targets in treating CIBP.

In addition, our endogenous cannabinoids, the ones we make internally that mimic the effects of plant cannabinoids like Anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG, are up-regulated at all stages of pain processing pathways, emphasizing their function as internal pain relievers. (4)

When CBRs Are Activated, They Reduce Pain By Releasing Neurotransmitters That Change How Our Nerve Cells React To Pain Signals

CBRs, found in parts of the nervous system and immune cells, play a key role in pain processing and regulate neuro-immune interactions, aiding in managing and reducing inflammatory pain.

Activating CBRs can lower levels of inflammatory substances such as cytokines and prostaglandins, further reducing pain and inflammation through management and prevention.

Agonists at CBRs, like THC, have shown promise in reducing bone loss and the incidence of fractures in bone cancer models. These agonists have additional benefits like:

• Inhibiting tumor growth, increasing survival rates
• Reducing hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) caused by tumors in bones
• Reducing sensitivity to heat and touch and
• Helping to reduce the side effects of opioids when used in conjunction.

7 Out of 10 Pain Caused By Bone Metastasis From Lung Cancer Was Untouched By Opioids for Months

In my own experience, Cannabis was the catalyst to transform my pain from a daily reminder of disease into an opportunity for a new life. Managing to be without pain assisted my management of hope, improving my circumstances, and outlook. It worked for me, and I know several people who have turned to Cannabis, finding hope when all else had failed.

Linda shared with me that her 7 out of 10 pain caused by bone metastasis from lung cancer went untouched by opioids for months before turning to concentrated Cannabis oil. Her immediate relief has her making plans for the future, with no plans to change her protocol.

James shared his experience of reducing his pain from a level of 7 out of 10 to just 2 almost immediately after starting with Cannabis oil. Through this treatment, he managed to steer clear of the severe side effects associated with opioids, gradually stopping their use altogether. This brought him relief and also renewed his sense of prosperity and hope.

Cannabis has a long history of use for the treatment of cancer pain. As far back as 2800 BC, in the time of Emporer Shen Nung, Cannabis extracts were listed for use in his pharmacopeia to treat various conditions including inflammation and pain. (5)

Smoked or vaporized Cannabis can provide immediate relief from some symptoms, and oral Cannabis extracts are best for enduring pain like the intractable pain of CIBP.

Anecdotally and scientifically, there is plenty to support the ECS as a formidable target for managing CIBP. Through activation or supplementation of our body's most significant cellular system, the Endocannabinoid System, I can see a clear path to competently manage cancer-induced bone pain, safely and efficiently.

References:

1. Jayarangaiah A, Kemp AK, Theetha Kariyanna P. Bone Metastasis. [Updated 2023 Jul 31]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507911/
2. Ellingson, Holly M, and Todd W Vanderah. “Potential therapeutic treatments of cancer-induced bone pain.” Current opinion in supportive and palliative care vol. 14,2 (2020): 107-111. doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000496
3.  Zeng, Feier, et al. “Classical cannabinoid receptors as a target in cancer-induced bone pain: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and bioinformatics validation.” Scientific Reports vol. 14,1 5782. 9 Mar. 2024, doi:10.1038/s41598-024-56220-0
4. Sun, Jia, et al. “The endocannabinoid system: Novel targets for treating cancer-induced bone pain.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, vol. 120, Dec. 2019, p. 109504, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109504.
5. “History of Cannabis.” The University of Sydney, www.sydney.edu.au/lambert/medicinal-cannabis/history-of-cannabis.html. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

A note from the Editors: The names mentioned in this content have been altered to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals involved. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.

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.

Click the Learn More Button 

If you need help with any terminology in this article, you may find some answers in our glossary

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 to be 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.