Much is made these days about cannabinoids and the wide range of illnesses that can be healed with their charms.
It is true that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can achieve amazing results. The best part of using cannabis oil to treat illness is the safety profile.
There is no known toxic dose, and no chemical dependence is created by use of cannabinoids in any form.
Some caution must be exercised, however. A couple of patient populations need extra education and care.
Those with hormone-driven cancers must know the hormone designation of their particular foe and select cannabinoid ratios accordingly.
Another such group that needs extra care in selecting cannabis-based treatments are those who take medication to lower their blood pressure. They would be wise to have frequent checkups and medication management visits with their prescribing doctor as their dependence on these medications may wane. In essence, as the cannabinoid treatments take effect, they will need less blood pressure medication, and this can cause quite the surprise. The story usually goes something like this: I was sitting smoking my joint and feeling good and I decided to get up and go to the kitchen to get something to eat. Then I felt lightheaded and had to sit back down again quickly. Some have even fainted.
As with many of the body’s safety switches, fainting is the brain’s way of getting level so it receives some blood pressure.
Cancers are easier to treat successfully with early detection. Treatments are more likely to succeed if the disease is caught before tumors try to spread to other organ systems.
Cancers in areas of the body that have a lot of blood flow are particularly susceptible to rapid spread. Stomach, breasts and bowels are some of these blood-rich areas.
Colon cancer is one of these dangerous ones. We mostly don’t think about gut health, unless something is amiss. The colon has a lot of blood flow and makes a vast contribution to our overall health.
One colon cancer survivor is taking education about these issues to a whole new level.
Kim Adair is the founder of Butt Check. This local nonprofit with a strong name is focused on raising awareness about the importance of early detection via regular screening and colonoscopy.
Kim has done an amazing job in getting the word out and stressing early detection. She met with Katie Couric and Oprah and is very active at our local Cologuard Classic golf tournament and other events. Her next mission is to approach researchers and get them on board to study and employ alternative treatments. She hopes to raise $10 million for colon cancer research. I believe with her reach Kim can do it.
A couple things about early detection and treatment of cancer with cannabis: know your source, trust them and make sure they are well informed; and do your own research. The wrong cannabinoid ratios can cause harm.
This article appears in Aug 10-16, 2023.