> 20 Medical Studies That Prove Cannabis Can Cure Cancer
> A Drop at a Time: How Cannabis Oil is Changing Lives of Cancer Patients in the UK

The UK has a far less liberal stance on cannabis than the states and users still face harsh penalties for growing and possessing cannabis. Read on to see how one man’s passion has already touched the lives of several people searching for just a little more time on this earth.

A chance meeting one day between a documentary maker and a sick cancer patient, whilst both in a health food store, has begun an extraordinary chain of events which could potentially change the lives of countless people. The patient in question merely asked the owner of the health food store how he could source cannabis oil. George, the filmaker says “As his story came out, we found that he had lung cancer. It had spread from his lungs to his hips, then to his bones, and to his neck. He had a lump under his skin. He couldn’t really walk, he was on crutches. After he had been through two bouts of chemotherapy, he had been told by the doctors that they weren’t going to offer him anymore.” Neither George nor his friend, who was the owner of the store, knew anything about cannabis oil , let alone how to source it. But they were touched by this mans story as he was only in his early 50′s. This search for cannabis oil seemed to be his last chance.

They were both intrigued and started investigating. Obviously these days with the internet being the obvious tool, they were overwhelmed with how much they found out almost immediately. George says “It was overwhelming. It was almost like this white noise of information.” Not long after beginning his search, George stumbled vast amounts of research that suggested cannabis could be an effective tool for reducing tumors and beating cancer. As recently as 2013, studies completed at the Compultense University of Madrid have found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) actually causes cancer cells to auto-digest in animal models, thereby drastically reducing tumor size and prevalence (i). Despite the fact that there is a huge expanse of information on the subject, found in various academic journals, (there is even an annual international convention on cannabinoid medicine where doctors and researchers present their findings(ii)), most of this research is under-publicized and remains in the form of difficult-to-understand scientific language. Yet, at the same time, many people find it hard to give legitimacy to the waves of anecdotal information that claims cannabis is effective for everything from phantom limb pain to cerebral palsy.

Read the full article at Natural Cures Not Medicine 

(http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2014/05/drop-time-cannabis-oil-changing-lives-cancer-patients-uk.html)

> 20 Medical Studies That Prove Cannabis Can Cure Cancer

A study published in the recent issue of the journal Addiction Research and Theory has found that the majority of those who use medical cannabis do so to replace harmful substances such as alcohol and pharmaceutical drugs.

According to the study; “Over 41% state that they use cannabis as a substitute for alcohol, 36.1% use cannabis as a substitute for illicit substances, and 67.8% use cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs. The three main reasons cited for cannabis-related substitution are “less withdrawal” (67.7%), “fewer side-effects” (60.4%), and “better symptom management” suggesting that many patients may have already identified cannabis as an effective and potentially safer adjunct or alternative to their prescription drug regimen.”

Read the full article at the Joint Blog 

(http://thejointblog.com/75-5-medical-cannabis-patients-report-substituting-cannabis-pharmaceuticals-hard-drugs/)

In America, the relationship between doctors and the hegemonic pharmaceutical industry is fraught with painful, mind-numbing contradiction. There’s no better example of this than in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among US veterans and others around the country. Drugs like Risperdal, an antipsychotic, are said to be no more effective in the treatment of PTSD than a placebo. These drugs are widely distributed to treat the symptoms of PTSD, despite allegations that they’re ineffectual in treatment of the condition.

PTSD is a disorder, characterized by extreme emotional or mental anxiety, often the result of a physical or psychological injury. When confronted with a potentially deadly situation, it’s natural for humans to feel afraid—we’ve developed pretty sophisticated fight-or-flight responses to deal with real or perceived danger. PTSD arises when that response is damaged, and the patient feels stressed or frightened even when he or she is no longer in danger. The disease disproportionately affects soldiers deployed in war zones. Very often they are in situations so dangerous that they develop the condition, and return home as shell-shocked emotional cripples. Veteran’s Affairs claims that today, almost 300,000 veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD, although the number is likely much higher due to lack of diagnosis...

Read the full article at VICE

(http://www.vice.com/read/more-and-more-us-veterans-are-smoking-weed-to-treat-their-ptsd?utm_source=vicetwitterus)

There’s a serious lack of information around how cannabis can help female-specific health issues. It’s interesting to see how much research is out around issues like PTSD and other forms of anxiety, yet the health issues that disproportionately affect women are rarely talked about. This isn’t to say that women don’t also suffer from these issues, but things like premenstrual syndrome (PMS or PMDD) or menopause are hardly mentioned in relation to cannabis. Why is this? Possibly because the cannabis industry is almost always synonymous with bro-culture, pandering to twenty-something male stoners. I don’t think this trend was necessarily intentional, but gender-based bias within the cannabis industry has been largely overlooked, like most other male-dominated industries.

Due to unexamined sexism within the cannabis industry, research around female- specific health issues like PMS is still widely unknown. It’s much more common to figure out what a patient needs off the basis of the male body, leaving “lady” aliments in isolation. This whole problem pissed me off, so I decided to compile a small list of strains that have been known to help PMS from Brightside Community Foundation-the non-profit medical marijuana dispensary I work at. Many women are unaware of the benefits that cannabis can provide their health issues. As a woman pioneering her way through the cannabis industry, I want to begin to start providing that information in order to address the needs of women that are all too often left out of the conversation.

Read the full article at the Weed Blog 

(http://www.theweedblog.com/top-five-marijuana-strains-for-pms/)

THC is the active ingredient found in marijuana. It is known to heighten the natural process of the endocannabinoid system, which is an important modulator of the autonomic nervous system. However, long term use of the cannabis plant can lead to both physical and psychological dependence on marijuana. Despite popular belief, you can experience marijuana withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use.  To summarize: marijuana can be addictive.

What are the different treatment options for marijuana addiction and where can you go for marijuana addiction help? We review here and invite your questions about marijuana addiction at the end of the article.

There are three main phases of marijuana addiction treatment. These include detoxification, physical and psychological treatment of marijuana addiction. We discuss each of these phases of treatment below.

1. Marijuana withdrawal treatment

The first phase of help for marijuana addiction is the withdrawal and detoxification phase. During withdrawal, the body gets rid of the toxins accumulated from years of abuse. Compared with heroin and severe alcohol withdrawal syndromes, marijuana withdrawal syndromes pose no major medical and psychiatric effects. HOwever, people abstaining from marijuana usually experience anger, depression, restlessness and change in appetite. These symptoms usually start within 24 to 48 hours of abstinence and within four to six days. Acute marijuana withdrawal lasts from one to three weeks. While traditional detox is usually not necessary during marijuana withdrawal, sometimes anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications may be prescribed.

2. Physical stabilization and treatment of marijuana PAWS

PAWS, or post-acute withdrawal symptoms, for marijuana include longer-term emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms. PAWS occurs as the brain chemistry starts to improve and return to homeostasis without the prescence of THC. Signs that the brain is recovering can include increased mood swings, irritability, low enthusiasm and variable energy. To stabilize episodes of PAWs, it is important to set realistic goals. Think of what you can do right now to improve your situation. You can also seek help from an expert. There are health care providers such as psychologists or psychiatrists who specialize in diagnosing and treating marijuana PAWS.

3. Psychological marijuana addiction treatment

Recognizing and managing psycho-emotional thoughts are important elements of a marijuana addiction treatment plan. Psychological interventions can motivate you to change. Studies show that behavioral treatments such as motivational enhancement therapy (MET), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM) show promising results in the management of this kind of addiction.

Overcoming any kind of addiction is not easy. Treatment for marijuana addiction begins by recognizing that there is a problem and that you need someone who can help you. Who do you call for help?

1. Family and Friends – The support you can get from family and friends can help you on your way to recovery. Your family and friends want the best for you and they can help you find a professional who can help you with cannabis dependency problem.

2. Licensed clinical social workers – LCSWs are adept at helping people with marijuana addiction locate and get enrolled in treatment services. Social workers can also connect you with local support services or individuals who can help you,

3. Marijuana addiction treatment centers – Nationwide, you can findtreatment centers that focus on treating cannabis dependency. Their approach to substance abuse is clinically proven to be effective in overcoming addiction.

4. Marijuana Anonymous – MA is a peer support group created for those who struggle with marijuana addiction. Members of MA share experience, strength, and hope with each other to help others recover from cannabis dependency. To become a member of this group, you need to have a desire to stop using marijuana.

5. Your family doctor – Another good place to start to get help for marijuana addiction. Family doctors can refer you to more specialized services for addiction treatment in your area, and/or local resources.

6. Therapists – Health care providers such as licensed psychotherapists or psychiatrists specialize in treating marijuana addiction are skilled in creating action plans to help you cope with stress and avoid relapse. They can also refer you to a detox clinic or support groups necessary for your recovery.

Read more at Addiction Blog 

(http://drug.addictionblog.org/help-for-marijuana-addiction/)

Cannabis has been making a lot of noise lately. Multiple states across the United States and countries around the world have successfully legalized medical Marijuana, and the Uruguay parliament recently voted to create the world’s first legal marijuana market. This is good news as the health benefits of Cannabis are vast, with multiple medical and scientific studies that confirm them. On the other hand, arguments against the use of marijuana is usually published in Psychiatric journals, which show no scientific evidence that Cannabis is harmful to human health. All psychological evaluations from the intake of cannabis are largely based on assumptions, suggestions and observations (1). When we look at the actual science behind Cannabis, the health benefits can be overwhelming. So what does one who opposes the use of cannabis base their belief on? Nothing, not scientific evidence anyways. The negative stigmatism attached to marijuana is due to it’s supposed psychotropic effects, yet again, there is no scientific evidence to show that marijuana has any psychotropic effects. Nonetheless, cannabis has recently been the focus of medical research and considered as a potential therapeutic treatment and cure for cancer.

Cannabis is a great example of how the human mind is programmed and conditioned to believe something. Growing up, we are told drugs are bad, which is very true, however not all substances that have been labelled as “drugs” by the government are harmful. Multiple substances are labelled as a “drug” in order to protect corporate interests. One example is the automobile and energy industry, a car made from hemp is stronger than steel, and can be fuelled from hemp alone. Henry Ford demonstrated this many years ago. Hemp actually has over 50,000 uses!

Let’s take a look at the science behind Cannabis and Cancer. Although Cannabis has been proven to be effective for a large range of ailments, this article will focus mainly on it’s effectiveness in the treatment of cancer. Cannabinoids may very well be one of the best disease and cancer fighting treatments out there. Cannabinoids refer to any of a group of related compounds that include cannabinol and the active constituents of cannabis. They activate cannabinoid receptors in the body. The body itself produces compounds called endocannabinoids and they play a role in many processes within the body that help to create a healthy environment. Cannabinoids also play a role in immune system generation and re-generation. The body regenerates best when it’s saturated with Phyto-Cannabinoids. Cannabinoids can also be found in Cannabis. It is important to note that the cannabinoids are plentiful in both hemp and cannabis. One of the main differentiations between hemp and cannabis is simply that hemp only contains 0.3% THC while cannabis is 0.4% THC or higher. (Technically they are both strains of Cannabis Sativa.)  Cannabinoids have been proven to reduce cancer cells as they have a great impact on the rebuilding of the immune system. While not every strain of cannabis has the same effect, more and more patients are seeing success in cancer reduction in a short period of time by using cannabis.

While taking a look at these studies, keep in mind that cannabis can be much more effective for medicinal purposes when we eat it rather than smoking it. Below are 20 medical studies that prove cannabis can be an effective treatment and possible cure for cancer. Please keep in mind that this is a very short list of studies that support the use of medicinal marijuana. Please feel free to further your research, hopefully this is a good starting point.

Read the full list at Other Side Farms 

(http://othersidefarms.com/blog/20-medical-studies-that-prove-cannabis-can-cure-cancer/#.UjDoYuCKzzI)