The Role of Cannabinoid Compounds in Inhibiting the Growth of Cancer Cells

Cannabinoid compounds are active components in marijuana, which is an umbrella term encompassing many different varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant. It is one of the most popular naturally growing drugs in the world. The plant can cause hallucinations, increased sensitivity, and modified sensory input. It also has a variety of health benefits including the ability to treat, asthma, souse syndrome, anorexia, epilepsy, psoriasis, opioid dependence, strokes, etc. It is especially great when it comes to treating and preventing cancer.

What are cannabinoid compounds?

There are two types of cannabinoid compounds that are extracted from cannabis flowers: THC and CBD. You can introduce the compounds into your body through a variety of methods – ingest cannabis oil, smoke cannabis flowers, vaporize cannabis oil, etc.

How do cannabinoid compounds prevent cancer?

Human body is composed entirely of cells. Cells make new tissues by multiplying and dividing. This ability is controlled by specific genes, known as oncogenes. There are also tumor suppressing genes that actually signal the cells to stop growing. Cancer happens when the oncogenes are “turned on” and the tumor suppression genes are “turned off” in situations when they shouldn’t be. When this situation happens, excessive cellular growth takes place and creates tumors.

When the THC cannabinoid connects to the CB1 or CB2 cannabinoid receptor site on the cell, it leads to cell death via the increase in ceramide synthesis. Normal cells don’t have the ability to produce ceramide and therefore, do not respond to the THC. This basically means that cannabinoids are toxic to cancer cells, as they have the unique ability to target only cancer cells. The more ceramide that has accumulated in your system, the more effective taking cannabinoid compounds is in keeping you cancer free.