Great news for the supporters of medical marijuana; a study conducted by a group of Spanish researchers seem to indicate that there may be a more specific use for the cannabis plant in cancer treatment that goes beyond pain management.
The study indicates that an active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), may trigger a natural process that will eventually lead to the death of a cell. The study was reported in the April 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
cannabis plantsIf the study is pursued further and medical viability is established, medical marijuana may be more than just a way for terminally ill patients to deal with their respective diseases. It will become an erstwhile way to win one’s battle over cancer.
Experiments were conducted at the cellular level, and biopsy tissues taken from two patients with glioblastoma multiforme who were treated with THC were examined. The researchers cultured a human glioma cell line as well as mouse cancer cells and treated a population of cells with THC. Both the process of treatment and the observation of the reaction of both treated and untreated cells were done under an electron microscope and recorded.
It was observed that in cells treated with THC, the introduction of the ingredient triggered a process known as autophagy. Autophagy is a regulated process that is a normal part of cell growth, development and homeostasis. It is a process that will eventually lead to cell death.
It has, however, a rather ambiguous role in the development of diseases, as while it may prevent the growth and spread of certain types of cancers, it can at the same time contribute to the progress of other diseases. This means scientists and medical researchers need to dig into this deeper before doctors can start prescribing joint to patients.
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Killing Cancer With Marijuana
