Delivery Methods and Dosing:Making the most of your medicine
Medical Cannabis and Cancer
Special Guest: Molly Stewart, Mission Services Director atCancer Community Center
Host: Becky DeKeuster, M.Ed, WCM Education LiaisonProducer: Ben Gelassen, WCM Digital Marketing Specialist
An introduction for patients, families,and caregivers
Cancer Community Center
FREE:• Buddy program• Support groups• Learning opportunities• Movement & meditation• Complementary therapies• Creative expression & social
opportunities
Calendar & more information at cancercommunitycenter.org
Cancer in Maine
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Maine (34% of all deaths)
Source: Maine Cancer Surveillance Report 2014. Department of Health and Human Services/Maine CDC Division of Population Health. PDF last accessed 10/23/16.
Maine’s cancer incidence rates are higher than US average rates
Cancer in Maine
In Maine, males had significantly higher incidence and death rates than females
Source: Maine Cancer Surveillance Report 2014. Department of Health and Human Services/Maine CDC Division of Population Health. PDF last accessed 10/23/16.
However, these rates were declining at a faster pace for males than for females
Cancer in Maine
Source: Maine Cancer Surveillance Report 2014. Department of Health and Human Services/Maine CDC Division of Population Health. PDF last accessed 10/23/16.
Cancer in Maine
Source: Maine Cancer Surveillance Report 2014. Department of Health and Human Services/Maine CDC Division of Population Health. PDF last accessed 10/23/16.
National Cancer Institute
Source: National Cancer Institute. Cannabis and Cannabinoids. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/cannabis-pdq#link/_13
Preclinical studies of cannabinoids indicate potential in these areas:
Antitumor activity
Stimulating appetite
Pain relief
Nausea & vomiting
Anxiety & sleep
Breast cancer cells in a lab specimen, before (L) & after (R) application of CBD.
Source: Pacific Medical Center
How Does Cannabis Help?
Image source: David Guzman, “The Endocannabinoid System”
The endocannabinoid system
Receptors found on cells throughout the body
Purpose appears to relate to homeostasis, wherever in the body the receptors are activated by either endo- or phyto-cannabinoids
Exogenous CannabinoidsCannabis Indica
Cannabis Sativa
What Symptoms Might Cannabis Help?
Your ECSHOMEOSTASIS
DepressionVisceral Pain
Appetite
Digestive MotilityTHC
CBD
CB-1
CB-2
Fever & Chills
“Chemo brain” & fatigue
CBN
Promising Cannabinoid Research
Source: www.pubmed.com and http://norml.org/library/item/gliomascancer?category_id=560
- breast carcinoma- prostate carcinoma- colorectal carcinoma- gastric adenocarcinoma- skin carcinoma- leukemia cells- neuroblastoma- lymphoma
- lung carcinoma- uterus carcinoma- thyroid epithelioma- pancreatic adenocarcinoma- cervical carcinoma- oral cancer- biliary tract cancer
(cholangiocarcinoma)
Preclinical/non-human studies have shown cannabinoids to potentially treat:
But Remember….
Brain cells with Alzheimer’s being grown in a Petri dish (www.discovermagazine.com)
Female cannabis flowers are covered with small crystals which contain dozens of active therapeutic compounds
Methods of Administration
Inhalation Ingestion Topical30 sec – 1 min.
Smoking/Vaping
Easy titration
Wide variety:Tincture, foods,
beverages
5 to 10 min20 to 120 min.
Can be helpful for neuropathic pain,
psoriasis
Can be difficult to titrate
No psychoactivity
Flower & concentrated oils
What About Cannabis Oil?
Also called “Rick Simpson Oil,” “Full Extract Cannabis Oil” (FECO), or “Phoenix Tears.”
TinctureEdible
Typically made with alcohol, glycerine, hempseed oil
1 ounce flower yields ~1 fl oz tinctureDose: Measured in drops
OilEdible
Typically made with alcohol, CO2, butane, or other solvents
1 ounce flower yields 2-4 grams oilDose: Measured in grains of rice
Cannabis Side Effects
Cannabis has no known LD50
No known negative
drug interactions
EuphoriaMotor coordination problems
Short term memory lossRed eyes
Dry mouthLow blood pressureHeart palpitations
Anxiety/panic/paranoiaHallucinations
Remember, while unpleasant, too much cannabis alone is not fatal. Time, water, food, and a relaxing environment all help.
Remember: Start low,Go slow!
What is the process?
1. Talk to your primary or specialist doctor
Any MD, DO or NP can certify
Some work for practices or groups that do not allow them to certify. Their patients must go to a cannabis specialist doctor.
Be prepared to educate
What is the process?
2. Choose a provider
• Grow at home• Designate a dispensary• Designate an individual to be
a cannabis “caregiver”
A quality provider should:
• Offer many options (product & potency)• Be able to coach and explain products clearly• Lab test all products• Give receipts, track inventory, charge sales tax• Use no pesticides• Make you feel safe
Resources
www.pubmed.comhttps://cancercommunitycenter.org
“The place to go when you don’t know where to begin.” www.safeaccessnow.org
Delivery Methods and Dosing:Making the most of your medicine
Thank you for your time and attention!
What are your remaining questions & concerns?
[email protected]/mainewellnessInstagram: @mainewellness
Top Related