Medical Marijuana and Radiation Therapy

What Is Radiation Therapy?

Treatment with x-rays or radionuclides. The most common side effects are tiredness, skin reactions (such as a rash or redness, permanent pigmentation, and scarring) in the treated area, loss of appetite, inflammation of tissues and organs, diarrhea and a decreased number of white blood cells.

Medical Marijuana and Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (also called radiation oncology) is a common type of cancer treatment that uses x-rays or radionuclides to destroy cancer cells. This treatment method can ease cancer symptoms, control cancer and even cure cancer. However, it also comes with negative side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and pain. Although recent advances have resulted in new medications to help ease the side effects of radiation therapy, many patients prefer medical marijuana as a natural alternative medicine to treat these symptoms.

Countless studies have shown that marijuana is effective for lessening the effects of cancer and radiation treatment. For example, the Office of National Drug Control Policy commissioned the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to assess the potential risks and health benefits of marijuana, and the IOM reported that the cannabinoids found in cannabis relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, and stimulate the appetite.

Medical Marijuana is an affordable, natural alternative that has helped thousands of cancer patients just like you prevent nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and pain associated with radiation therapy. If you are planning on or currently undergoing radiation therapy and would like to find out if medical marijuana is the right treatment for you.

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This information is not provided by medical professionals and is intended only to complement, and not to replace or contradict, any health or medical advice or information provided by healthcare professionals.  If you have any questions, please contact your doctor or other healthcare professional.