By Steven Voser


Cannabis has long been used in an effort to benefit the body and mind, with our ancestors invoking it for all manner of holistic purposes. Today, cannabis is under constant survey for its therapeutic potential, with researchers eager to determine if, and how, the herb and its derivatives can be exploited to reduce the impact of various conditions.

Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, in particular, tend to have a vested interest in whether cannabis can help them deal with the side effects of their treatment. This comes as no surprise, as chemo is notorious for ravaging the body.

Read on as we break down what we know so far about using cannabis for chemotherapy.

What Is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is a medical treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill rapidly growing cells in the body. While it is most commonly used to treat cancer, it can also be used to treat bone marrow diseases and immune disorders.

There are many different chemotherapy agents on the market, and they all work by interfering with the natural cell cycle (the process cells go through to fully form and mature). Since cancers are defined by the abnormal growth of cells, these drugs can help to slow the growth of tumours and inhibit their metastasis (or spread) to some degree.

How exactly chemotherapy agents interfere with the cell cycle varies from one drug to another. While we can’t look at all chemotherapy agents in detail in this article, some of the most common types of chemotherapy agents used to treat cancer include:

  • Alkylating agents: These drugs work by damaging a cell's DNA, thereby inhibiting its ability to reproduce. Unfortunately, these drugs can also damage the DNA of other, healthy cells. When they damage cells in the bone marrow, alkylating agents may interrupt the body’s ability to produce new blood cells. This, in rare cases, can cause leukaemia. Alkylating agents are commonly used to treat lung, breast, and ovarian cancer, lymphoma, leukaemia, sarcoma, and more.
  • Nitrosoureas: Nitrosoureas are a special class of alkylating agent that, unlike the drugs we mentioned previously, can travel to the brain by crossing the blood–brain barrier. Hence, these drugs are typically used to treat various kinds of brain tumours.
What Is Chemotherapy?
  • Antimetabolites: These drugs interfere with the cell cycle by working as substitutes for the normal building blocks of RNA and DNA. Like alkylating agents, antimetabolites hinder the reproduction of cancer cells. They are typically used to treat leukaemia, breast, and ovarian cancer, as well as intestinal tract tumours.
What Is Chemotherapy?
  • Antitumour antibiotics: Similar to antimetabolites and alkylating agents, antitumour antibiotics work by changing the DNA inside cells to prevent them from growing and reproducing. Anthracyclines, for example, are a special kind of antitumour antibiotic that inhibits the activity of the enzymes involved in replicating a cell’s DNA. In high doses, these drugs can cause permanent damage to the heart.
What Is Chemotherapy?
  • Topoisomerase inhibitors: These plant alkaloids, as their name suggests, work by inhibiting topoisomerases; enzymes that help separate strands of cell DNA, facilitating their reproduction. They are typically used to treat leukaemia, as well as lung, gastrointestinal, colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian tumours.
What Is Chemotherapy?
  • Mitotic inhibitors: These drugs inhibit the splitting of cells, a process known as mitosis, which plays a critical role in the reproduction of certain types of cancer.
What Is Chemotherapy?
  • Corticosteroids: While corticosteroids are commonly used to treat a wide variety of symptoms and conditions, they can also be used in the treatment of cancer, both as chemotherapy agents and to help prevent nausea and vomiting, a common side effect of many of the drugs mentioned above.

Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy agents are very powerful chemicals. And while they can interfere with the growth and spread of cancer cells, they also often interfere with the proper functioning of healthy cells. In doing so, they create a variety of side effects, including:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
  • Diarrhoea or constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Fever and mouth sores
  • Pain, bleeding, and easy bruising

These side effects are usually short term and, in the best cases, can be treated or managed effectively. Sometimes, however, chemotherapy can also cause long-term side effects or damage that doesn’t make itself known until months into or after treatment has occurred.

Some of the long-term or late-onset side effects of chemotherapy include:

  • Heart and kidney problems
  • Infertility
  • Tissue damage, particularly in the lungs or nervous tissue
  • An increased risk of developing cancer in the future

Cannabis and Chemotherapy Interaction

While there is still a lot we do not know about cannabis, how it affects the body, and how it could work as a medicine, research is continuing to determine if the herb has a role in the treatment of cancer, or as a complement to traditional chemotherapy.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that many cancer patients (especially those living in areas where cannabis has been legalized to some extent) turn to cannabis, either as an alternative to the traditional therapies available, or to complement them.

The cannabis plant is the most prominent source of plant-based cannabinoids. These compounds share structural and sometimes even functional similarities with the cannabinoids produced naturally by the human body, and can therefore interact with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS).

In doing so, the compounds found in cannabis can impact the vast variety of bodily processes that the ECS normally regulates, and potentially induce effects that cancer/chemotherapy patients find to be beneficial.

Cannabis and Chemotherapy Interaction
  • Nausea and Vomiting

Many chemotherapy patients report using cannabis and its derivatives to deal with the nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite they experience as a result of their treatment. Moreover, many places that have legalized medical cannabis permit medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis to deal with these symptoms, including California, Colorado, Alaska, Argentina, Germany, and numerous others. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration has already approved two cannabinoid drugs (dronabinol and nabilone) for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

And slowly, we’re getting more clinical data to help us better understand how cannabis and its compounds might affect nausea and vomiting in different clinical settings. In 2001, for example, the British Medical Journal published a detailed review[1] of investigative literature on the use of medical cannabis to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

The study compiled and compared results from 30 different randomised trials conducted in 2000 and 2001. The trials measured cannabis’ efficacy as an antiemetic against both placebo drugs as well as traditional antiemetics commonly prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy.

  • Appetite

On top of the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, many chemo patients also experience a lack of appetite as a side effect of their treatment. After all, we all struggle to eat, or even think about food, when we're nauseous or on the brink of vomiting. How individual patients experience appetite loss as a result of chemotherapy is very personal, but many patients report having trouble eating on the day of their chemotherapy sessions, in particular just before the session and for hours afterward.

Fortunately, many patients who are are lucky enough to have access to medical cannabis find it can really stimulate the appetite. And it's not hard to see why; getting a severe case of "the munchies" after smoking or ingesting cannabis is, after all, very common. This 2019 article[2] published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, for example, explored the infamous "munchies" and cannabis' effect on appetite in numerous clinical settings.

Furthermore, some countries have even approved cannabis-based appetite stimulants, including dronabinol (although some scientists, researchers, and medical professionals doubt its effectiveness[3] compared to other forms of cannabis).

Cannabis and Chemotherapy Interaction
  • Pain

Many cancer and chemo patients experience pain, both as a result of their tumours or as a side effect of the chemotherapy agents they are prescribed. This pain often has detrimental effects on a patient's quality of life, and can, over time, also affect their mental health.

Just like with nausea and vomiting, there is a strong base of anecdotal evidence from patients with pain who claim cannabinoids help relieve their symptoms. To help better understand how cannabis might affect the way we experience different kinds of pain (including nociceptive, neuropathic, acute, and chronic pain), a growing body of research is looking into the way cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds might interact with different pain pathways in the body.

In 2011, the US National Cancer Institute put together Cannabis and Cannabinoids PDQ[4], a regularly updated book targeted at both cancer patients and health professionals. The book outlines the many different facets of cannabinoids, how they work, the research being performed on them, and what all this means for cancer patients and their medical teams. The book shines a light on some of the studies conducted on cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system, and their complex involvement in the way we not only experience, but also treat it.

What Are the Risks of Using Cannabis During Chemotherapy?

Safety is a massive concern when using any kind of drug, and cannabis is no exception. Luckily, the research conducted on cannabis shows that it is very safe, both for recreational and medical use.

All the medications you’ll find at your local pharmacy can potentially cause side effects. Earlier in this article, we shed light on some of the common short and long-term side effects of chemotherapy drugs, which included nausea, vomiting, pain, bleeding, fever, heart problems, and more.

Cannabis can also cause side effects. But, when compared to those of chemotherapy agents, they are extremely mild.

THC, for example, can obviously cause an intoxicating “high”, which some people aren’t familiar with and may find unpleasant. In some people, it can also incite feelings of nervousness or sleepiness, the latter of which may not necessarily be a problem depending on the individual needs of the patient. Some other side effects of THC include:

Some of the other safety concerns of using medical cannabis involve the smoking of dried cannabis flowers or concentrates, which exposes users to many of the same toxins found in cigarette smoke. Luckily, the increasing popularity and accessibility of vaporizers and cannabis tinctures largely sidesteps this problem.

Finally, one last concern for cancer/chemotherapy patients interested in using cannabis may be dependence and/or tolerance. Over time, cannabis users do develop a tolerance to some cannabinoids, especially THC. In rare cases, users may also develop a dependence on cannabis. However, keep in mind that cannabis is far less addictive than opioids and other drugs prescribed to patients with pain.

Can I Use CBD With Chemotherapy?

Because CBD isn’t intoxicating, it is much easier to access in various parts of the world. In fact, it is possible to buy CBD hemp products in many countries, even those where THC-rich cannabis remains illegal.

Just like with other cannabinoids, there is still a lot we do not know about CBD and its mechanisms of action in the human body. However, it’s largely deemed a safe, non-toxic compound[5], that doesn’t cause the high we associate with THC (not even in very large doses). Moreover, studies suggest that CBD may be able to deliver some of the same benefits as THC, making it a great option for patients living in areas where THC products are illegal or hard to access.

How To Use Cannabis During Chemotherapy

There is no definitive way to use cannabis alongside chemotherapy. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where cannabis is available to you, make sure to pitch the idea of using it to your doctor and work through the process with them. They’ll be able to provide you with all the information you need.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabinoids for control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: quantitative systematic review. https://www.researchgate.net
  2. Exploring the munchies: An online survey of users' experiences of cannabis effects on appetite and the development of a Cannabinoid Eating Experience Questionnaire - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. What to Know About Dronabinol vs. Marijuana https://lakewoodmedicalclinic.com
  4. Cannabis and Cannabinoids (PDQ®) - PDQ Cancer Information Summaries - NCBI Bookshelf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Critical Review: Cannabidiol (CBD) https://www.who.int
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: