Cancer

Zen Releaf

Medical Marijuana Specialist located in Santa Rosa Beach, FL

There are approximately 1.7 million new cases of cancer every year in the United States. Many available cancer treatments are aggressive and cause undesirable side effects that range from nausea to a constant state of pain. Perry Hight, MD, and his team at Zen Releaf in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, understand the many challenges associated with cancer treatments like chemotherapy. They can help manage your side effects and make you more comfortable with medical marijuana. Don’t suffer more than necessary. Call the office or use the online booking tool to make an appointment today.

850-502-7987

Cancer Q & A

What are the side effects of cancer treatments?

There are a number of different types of cancer treatment, but most patients receive a combination of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Unfortunately, these treatments can affect healthy tissue and organs and have unwanted side effects. Some of these side effects include:

Loss of appetite
Constipation or diarrhea
Fatigue
Fertility issues
Flu-like symptoms
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain

If you notice side effects once you start your cancer treatment, the team at Zen Releaf can help you reduce them.

How do you treat the side effects of cancer?

The practitioners at Zen Releaf prescribe medical marijuana to help ease some of the unwanted side effects of your cancer treatment.

Marijuana has active ingredients called cannabinoids that are responsible for the medicinal and psychoactive effects of the plant. Cannabinoids can help regulate bodily functions thrown off balance by cancer treatments.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the cannabinoids in marijuana that produces an intoxicated feeling. THC also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with certain side effects from cancer treatments.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is another cannabinoid in marijuana with similar medicinal effects but doesn’t produce the “high” feeling that THC does. CBD can safely be used by adolescent patients and people who want to avoid the psychotropic effects of cannabis.

What side effects can marijuana help with?

Medical marijuana is known to help with a number of side effects that you may have when undergoing cancer treatment. These include:

Pain

Marijuana has anti-inflammatory properties and can relieve pain as well as opioids, the strongest pharmaceutical pain medication available.

Neuropathy

Marijuana can provide pain relief from nerve damage, which is a common side effect of multiple cancer treatments that results in weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hands and feet.

Nausea and vomiting

Many patients experience nausea and vomiting as a side effect of chemotherapy, which results in a loss of appetite and unintended weight loss. This is accompanied by fatigue and a decline in your ability to function in everyday life.

Medical marijuana is an extremely effective method of reducing nausea and increasing your feelings of hunger.

If you prefer not to smoke marijuana, the practice can prescribe medication with the active ingredient dronabinol, an FDA-approved synthetic cannabis that you take orally to treat your nausea and loss of appetite.

Is medical marijuana an effective cancer treatment?

Marijuana is not a standalone treatment for cancer and is combined with other types of treatment. Some preclinical studies suggest marijuana can slow the growth and spread of certain types of cancerous cells.

It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions if you use marijuana to help with your side effects as it can have unintended side effects of its own.

To learn more about how medical marijuana can help reduce unwanted side effects from your cancer treatment, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment today.

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