CBD and Cancer

[Storm Crow]

hxxp://salem-news.com/articles/july132009/cbd_2_sc_7-13-09.php

Jul-13-2009 02:00printcomments
CBD and Cancer
Storm Crow for Salem-News.com

Part 2 in Storm Crow's look at the little known but highly effective medical ingredients in cannabis.
Cannabis bud
Courtesy: wikipedia

(NORTHERN Calif.) - There is a lot more to cannabis than just THC. Although the press and science have focused on THC because of its effects on the brain, the other cannabinoids are potent medicines in their own right. Studies reveal that CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, may affect cancer cells of many types. Breast cancer, leukemia and glioma (a rather nasty brain cancer) are all slowed, or even killed by CBD.

I usually put in something amusing into my articles, but I find nothing amusing about cancer. Both of my grandmothers died of it. So please forgive me if I do not amuse you this time, but "cut straight to the chase".

In 2006, a study called "Anti-tumor activity of plant cannabinoids with emphasis on the effect of cannabidiol on human breast carcinoma," (see: Breast cancer: Antitumor Activity of Plant Cannabinoids with Emphasis on the Effect of Cannabidiol on Human Breast Carcinoma) compared the effect of five different compounds found in cannabis on an aggressive breast cancer. CBD was the clear winner.

In a short article about the study, it was stated "Cannabidiol (CBD) was the most potent cannabinoid in inhibiting the growth of human breast cancer cells injected under the skin of mice. (see: Science: Cannabidiol inhibits tumour growth in leukaemia and breast cancer in animal studies)

CBD also reduced lung metastases deriving from human breast cancer cells that had been injected into the paws of the animals." To put it simply, CBD slowed the growth of the breast cancer and kept it from spreading into the lungs.

The glioma studies (see: Glioma apoptosis: Inhibition of Glioma Growth in Vivo) and (Glioma apoptosis: Cannabidiol triggers caspase activation and oxidative stress in human glioma cells) are very interesting, since the CBD attacked only the cancerous brain cells while leaving healthy brain cells untouched. Gliomas are one of the most malignant forms of cancer, resulting in the death of affected patients within 1–2 two years after diagnosis. Current therapies for glioma treatment are usually ineffective or just palliative. So how does CBD work to inhibit gliomas and other cancers?

Cells normally die through a process called apoptosis. Normal cells die after going through their programmed lifetime--but cancer cells refuse to die and begin to multiply rapidly. CBD "tells" the abnormal cancer cells that it is time to die by setting off the normal chain of events in programed cell death. The normal cells don't need to be "told" and are left alone.

But CBD doesn't stop there with putting a halt to gliomas. One of the things cancers do is to grow a lot of extra blood vessels to support their rapid growth. This is why a mole that bleeds when you scratch it may be suspected of being skin cancer. In a Spanish study, (see: Glioma blood vessels: Cannabinoids Inhibit the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Pathway in Gliomas) two glioma patients (stage IV) received CBD injected directly into their tumors, for 16 and 19 days respectively, before their tumors were removed surgically. Both showed evidence of regression of the blood vessels to the tumors. The authors considered the results as "promising" and worthy of further study.

A third area where CBD is "promising" is in the treatment of leukemia. In the study "Cannabidiol-Induced Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells", (see: Leukemia: Cannabidiol-Induced Apoptosis in Human Leukemia Cells) we find this in the abstract- "Exposure of leukemia cells to cannabidiol led to cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2)-mediated reduction in cell viability and induction in apoptosis. Furthermore, cannabidiol treatment led to a significant decrease in tumor burden and an increase in apoptotic tumors in vivo." Which is a fancy way of saying CBD killed the leukemia cells and reduced the number of tumors. And again, the authors urge further study.

Aside from feeling relaxed, there are no noticeable effects from CBD, even with very large doses.

On the other hand, modern medicine's chemotherapy is the practice of using poisons that are slightly more toxic to cancer cells than healthy cells. The idea is to poison you just enough so all the cancer cells die, while you, as an organism, live. A lot of healthy cells die in the process. Some patients die in the process. Even at its best, chemotherapy makes you feel very sick.

CBD or chemo? Which treatment sounds better to you?

Of course, these studies are just preliminary and need to be duplicated, refined and studied further. We need to examine the effects of CBD on these and other cancers. Until then, we are stuck with chemotherapy and all of its side effects. We must reschedule cannabis for research.

[BibleGuy]

And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. (Numbers 16:46-48)

"Incense" is qetoreth in Hebrew, meaning a fumigation. Qetoreth is from qatar, meaning (through the idea of fumigation in a close place and perhaps thus driving out the occupants); to smoke, that is, turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship).

"Made an atonement" is kaphar in Hebrew, meaning to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel.

Aaron covered the people with a very dense/thick (bitumen-like) fumigation of incense smoke. This is what "stayed the plague".

The Incense, specifically identified elsewhere is Qaneh bosem which has been properly identified by many others as cannabis.

"...and the leaves of the tree were for the healing (Greek therapeia, meaning attendance (specifically medical, that is, cure)) of the nations." (Revelation 22:2)

Yeah, it's medicine all right. We have a responsibility to send "the right message" to our children, Mr. Government, its called the truth. The truth saves lives. The truth sets us free.

What's your "plague"? Cancer? Migraine? Headache? Cold/flu? Arithritis? Athsma? ... The leaves of the tree are healing for you.

THC kills cancer tumors
Healing Hemp Oil
Watch Run From The Cure if you haven't already.

[MannyBoy]

BibleGuy, can you provide some sources to back us some of these assertions? Look, my goal is not to flame you, but I need to challenge some assumptions here.

You seem to be implying that the Biblical story above is evidence that marijuana has Biblical precedent for our use. While this implication may be true, your proof (exegesis) is shaky. Incense was a pleasant smelling smoke used in worship by the Israelites. It was used to acknowledge God (YHWH). In this event God was using the smoke (the thing used in worship to remind the people of God, the thing that goes up to heaven) to kind of slap them out of there sinful stupor. Maybe to get between them on earth and God in heaven to stop the plague.

According to the New Bible Dictionary (Third Ed.) incense was very expensive as was usually frankincense. It came from the resin of the bark of several trees in NE Africa. S. Arabia, NW India. Frankincense (the same expensive stuff offered to baby Jesus by one of the wealth "Kings") would be far to costly to come from cannabis growing around wild as weeds in ancient Israel, Mesopotamia, and other lands.

Admittedly, my Biblical Hebrew is not real good, but I have only heard of "atonement" - an extremely important Biblical concept - as the idea of "reconciliation. " The idea being, we (I) have separated myself from the holy (sinless) God by sinning. Therefore, I need atonement - a way to restore -reconcile- the relationship. A Biblical precept is that I have no power to correct this thing because I now have sin. God (sinless) must take the initiative. (Like in the story you cite above.)

And your last point is valid. Yes in Revelation (the story of last things on earth as it is now and how God will recreate the earth). Part of the new earth will be a Tree of Life (the same one that was in the Garden of Eden back in the book of Genesis). The leaves of this tree will bring the healing of the nations. I think this partly means there will be no more reason for war.

My main point with this post: it does us no good to very loosely use the Bible to justify marijuana use. I am not saying the Bible speaks directlyagainst the use of pot or that it speaks directly for it's use. Like most things, the Bible needs interpretation on this question. When we use huge jumps in logic (incense was pot, leaves from the Tree of Life are pot) we only set our cause backward. The other side will easily tear our argument to shreds.

Let's face it. Much of the world thinks of pot users as ignorant, controlled by chemicals, and desperate to make our use socially acceptable so we can secure an easy next "fix." Let's work together to present facts and logical arguments to refute these biases. We can to it. Not to long ago society was firmly against gambling. Of course some still are, but you look at the change now! And who would have thought in 1999 we would have 13 states (I think) with MMJ laws! Keep it people. We can do this.

[BibleGuy]

Hi MannyBoy,

Thank you for kindly challenging what you perceive to be my assumptions. Sources? Certainly. Glad to. Scripture references are to the KJV.

"Incense" is from Hebrew qetoreth, from qatar. Exodus 30:27 and 30:23. "Sweet calamus" is qaneh bosem. Incense is a "perfume" for the Tabernacle of the Congregation (Tent of Meeting). Exodus 30:34-36. This "perfume" and "incense" are the same thing; Hebrew qetoreth in both cases. The "sweet spices" is Hebrew sam which compares to basam which is of the same root as bosem, that is, qaneh bosem. This is the "incense" that Aaron "made atonement" with in Numbers 16:46-48.

"Atonement" is from Hebrew kaphar.

"Healing" in Revelation 22:2 is from therapeia.

"You seem to be implying that the Biblical story above is evidence that marijuana has Biblical precedent for our use. While this implication may be true, your proof (exegesis) is shaky. Incense was a pleasant smelling smoke used in worship by the Israelites. It was used to acknowledge God (YHWH). In this event God was using the smoke (the thing used in worship to remind the people of God, the thing that goes up to heaven) to kind of slap them out of there sinful stupor. Maybe to get between them on earth and God in heaven to stop the plague."

I understand your orthodox perspective. However, the meaning of "incense" is a fumigation which is to inclose (join) which is far more intimate than a reminder. Regarding exegesis, I will kindly and sincerely ask you... what is your basis for limiting the joining incense to a mere acknoweledgement and reminder of YHWH?

"According to the New Bible Dictionary (Third Ed.) incense was very expensive as was usually frankincense. It came from the resin of the bark of several trees in NE Africa. S. Arabia, NW India. Frankincense (the same expensive stuff offered to baby Jesus by one of the wealth "Kings") would be far to costly to come from cannabis growing around wild as weeds in ancient Israel, Mesopotamia, and other lands."

Yes, but Frankincense is Hebrew lebonah - a different incense from Qaneh bosem that is identified separately in Exodus 30:34.

"Admittedly, my Biblical Hebrew is not real good, but I have only heard of "atonement" - an extremely important Biblical concept - as the idea of "reconciliation. " The idea being, we (I) have separated myself from the holy (sinless) God by sinning. Therefore, I need atonement - a way to restore -reconcile- the relationship. A Biblical precept is that I have no power to correct this thing because I now have sin. God (sinless) must take the initiative. (Like in the story you cite above.)"

Yes, very important, and you are offering a very orthodox understanding according to what you've heard. What I'm suggesting, in order to understand what really took place here, is that we consider the actual meaning of "atonement" in this verse without filtering it through a pre-conceived conceptual understanding.

"And your last point is valid. Yes in Revelation (the story of last things on earth as it is now and how God will recreate the earth). Part of the new earth will be a Tree of Life (the same one that was in the Garden of Eden back in the book of Genesis). The leaves of this tree will bring the healing of the nations. I think this partly means there will be no more reason for war."

"I think this partly means there will be no more reason for war" is a wonderful thought. But again, kindly, what is your basis for this exegesis? Healing is very specifically, a medical cure.

"My main point with this post: it does us no good to very loosely use the Bible to justify marijuana use. I am not saying the Bible speaks directlyagainst the use of pot or that it speaks directly for it's use. Like most things, the Bible needs interpretation on this question. When we use huge jumps in logic (incense was pot, leaves from the Tree of Life are pot) we only set our cause backward. The other side will easily tear our argument to shreds."

I agree with you that loose associations do no good. I would even call it criminal because its misleading. I take this matter very seriously and try to provide basis for the things that I say so that others can look these things up for themselves and come to their own conclusions, if they want to. Most of what the church in general believes about marijuana is based upon what they've heard: "Reefer Madness" and all that, and applying rules about wine intoxication to everything else "by extension" which has lead sadly to erroneous doctrine.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies* in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1Timothy 4:1-4)

"Speaking lies" is psuedologos: promulgating erroneous Christian doctrine.

Let's face it. Much of the world thinks of pot users as ignorant, controlled by chemicals, and desperate to make our use socially acceptable so we can secure an easy next "fix."

You nailed it.

Let's work together to present facts and logical arguments to refute these biases. We can to it. Not to long ago society was firmly against gambling. Of course some still are, but you look at the change now! And who would have thought in 1999 we would have 13 states (I think) with MMJ laws! Keep it people. We can do this.

Agreed. Let's work together and present the truth. The truth is what makes us free. The states are slowly coming around because people have identified the tree by it's fruit* rather by the lies of propaganda.

* Jesus taught this principle in Luke 6:44.

More on the Religious and spiritual use of cannabis.

[old head]

Good post mannyboy!!