{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/fda/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2765-markdown","title":"FDA Approves Epidiolex, First CBD-Based Drug for Epilepsy","slug":"fda-approves-epidiolex-first-cbd-based-drug-for-epilepsy","content":"Medical marijuana users take note: [The FDA has just approved a new drug containing cannabidiol (CBD)](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-approves-epidiolex-first-marijuana-based-drug-for-seizures/). Its aim is to treat two rare, severe forms of childhood epilepsy.\n\nCreated by U.K. giant GW Pharmaceuticals, Epidiolex is a CBD-based syrup to treat seizures associated with [Lennox-Gastaut syndrome](https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/lennox-gastaut-syndrome) and [Dravet syndrome](https://www.dravetfoundation.org/what-is-dravet-syndrome/) in patients as young as two years old.\n\nResearchers studied Epidiolex’s effectiveness in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 516 patients with either syndrome. Epidiolex, taken with other medications, was effective in reducing the frequency of subjects’ seizures.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThis is the first time that the U.S. government has given the green light to a drug derived from CBD. Though CBD is a cannabis compound, it’s non-psychoactive, unlike the other famous cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).  \n\n“This approval serves as a reminder that advancing sound development programs that properly evaluate active ingredients contained in marijuana can lead to important medical therapies. And, the FDA is committed to this kind of careful scientific research and drug development,” [says FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in a news release](https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm611046.htm).\n\nThe announcement has led to speculation among experts that a new wave of approved cannabis-based medications may be coming. \n\n“This is a very good development, and it basically underscores that there are medicinal properties to some of the cannabinoids,” [says Dr. Igor Grant, director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California San Diego](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/19/health/epidiolex-fda-cannabis-marajuana.html), in a _New York Times_ interview about Epidiolex.\n\n### Epidiolex Pushes CBD Legalization\n\nEpidiolex may become available this fall, but it still has hurdles to clear. One potential roadblock is an investigation into its potential side effects. Also, despite the FDA approval, CBD remains federally illegal. The DEA classifies it as a Schedule 1 drug, defined as “drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” \n\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA LEGALIZATON IS GOING GLOBAL](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/588f897cd5e9e1000c153b31/marijuana-legalization-is-going-global)\n\nBut with Epidiolex’s FDA approval, the DEA may reclassify CBD over the next three months. This will make it possible for patients to purchase the drug with a doctor’s prescription. Already, some drugstore chains such as Rite Aid say they’ll carry it.\n\n### But Does This Mean Cannabis Could Become Legal?\n\nIf CBD gets DEA approval and is put under a new schedule, that doesn’t mean cannabis as a whole will get the green light any time soon. Federal authorities seem to be sticking to a policy of marijuana prohibition, even though a majority of Americans are in favor of legalizing the plant.\n\nThe government only seems to be considering and testing individual cannabis compounds one at a time. Marijuana has so many different compounds and strains that with the government’s current stance, it’s hard to imagine whole cannabis receiving a general stamp of approval.\n\nCBD got FDA approval because it’s an isolated extract that’s been thoroughly studied and tested. It underwent even more testing during the development of Epidiolex, and the drug will meet strict manufacturing standards. \n\nIn fact, Gottlieb warns against other cannabis-based medications making similar claims without this kind of disciplined development: “We’ll continue to support rigorous scientific research on the potential medical uses of marijuana-derived products and work with product developers who are interested in bringing patients safe and effective, high-quality products. But, at the same time, we are prepared to take action when we see the illegal marketing of CBD-containing products with serious, unproven medical claims.”\n\nIt’s worth noting that once given the final go-ahead, Epidiolex will be treated like a traditional pharmaceutical. It will be available through licensed pharmacies, but not at dispensaries where many people currently get their medical marijuana. \n\n### Exploring New Medical Applications of Cannabis \n\nCaution aside, researchers are keen to explore the medical uses of CBD, as well as the potential of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the other 400 or so compounds found in cannabis. There’s already a growing library of research that shows CBD’s potential in treating:\n\n* [Pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5ae222cb049b4f000a64e8eb/how-cbd-can-help-relieve-endometriosis-pain) \n* [Parkinson’s disease](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a1c9b13eea891000897e271/marijuanas-role-in-helping-parkinsons-disease-patients)\n* [Multiple sclerosis](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5936cf68a81c05002adae2f7/new-studies-indicate-cannabis-helps-with-multiple-sclerosis)\n* [Tourette’s syndrome](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59e53141d652260aa3917b7d/studies-show-cannabis-may-help-with-tourette-syndrome)\n* [Glaucoma](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5acd032ff24d1300077ccbc8/how-does-cannabis-affect-your-eyes)\n* [Schizophrenia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/596d4c6768ca41512d3fe146/cbd-helps-alleviate-symptoms-of-schizophrenia)\n* [Inflammation](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5abeac04f24d1300077ccbae/how-cannabis-can-help-ease-arthritis-pain-and-inflammation)\n* [Anxiety]( https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a99f400f24d1300077ccb72/finding-success-with-cannabis-to-reduce-anxiety) \n\nThe list of potential applications for diseases and conditions is nearly endless.\n\nFor its part, GW Pharmaceuticals has also [developed a new CBD-based nasal spray, Sativex, that relieves pain and has been approved by the British government](http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-cbd-in-marijuana-2018-2).\n\n“Advancing sound development programs that properly evaluate active ingredients contained in marijuana can lead to important medical therapies,” says Gottlieb.\n\n### Not All CBD Medications Are Created Equal\n\n“Sound development” is the key here. Gottlieb and other medical experts warn that not all CBD-based medications are created equal. \n\nIn states where cannabis is legal, or in ones that have laws legalizing CBD only, CBD-infused oils and salves are sold through dispensaries. A 2017 study published in the _Journal of the American Medical Association_ found that [the levels of CBD contained in products from 31 different sellers were often different than the amounts shown on labels](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2661569). And in some cases THC was present, even though it wasn’t listed.\n\nThat said, you can’t put the genie back in the bottle. The testimony of people who have successfully used non-prescription CBD to treat childhood epilepsy and other conditions is hard to ignore. And given the choice between paying to go see a doctor for an expensive prescription or getting CBD from their usual supplier, people will often go with what they know and trust. Hopefully, Epidiolex is just the beginning of regulated, effective CBD medicine that will be made available to those who need it. \n\nPhoto credit: [Annie Spratt](https://unsplash.com/@anniespratt)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/14b42/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/f836f/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg 200w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/2244e/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg 400w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/14b42/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg 800w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/47498/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg 1200w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/0e329/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg 1600w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/e0e30/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.jpg 3660w","srcWebp":"/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/58556/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/61e93/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp 200w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/1f5c5/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp 400w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/58556/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp 800w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/99238/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp 1200w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/7c22d/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp 1600w,\n/static/c41316ddb83ad71f6afa997fe85218ea/46196/7a2086394acad1ffab0c9a3bbb00cdd8.webp 3660w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2328-markdown","title":"MDMA Assisted Therapy: a Successful Treatment for PTSD?","slug":"mdma-assisted-therapy-a-successful-treatment-for-ptsd","content":"Ecstasy, also known as molly, is a party drug best known for its ability to promote trust, emotional openness, and general good feelings. Now, MDMA, the key ingredient in that party drug, has [won FDA approval](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/ecstasy-could-be-breakthrough-therapy-for-soldiers-others-suffering-from-ptsd/2017/08/26/009314ca-842f-11e7-b359-15a3617c767b_story.html?utm_term=.c6feac103822) as a “breakthrough” drug that should be [fast tracked to production](https://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/LawsEnforcedbyFDA/SignificantAmendmentstotheFDCAct/FDASIA/ucm329491.htm) for its potential in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. But that potential has limitations – and cannabis, another controlled substance, may have far broader applications for treating the symptoms of PTSD.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nEarly studies [sponsored]( http://www.maps.org/research/mdma) by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) reveal that overall, 83 percent of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD after using MDMA. That kind of success, say MAPS researchers, is reason to push for final studies aimed at getting full approval to market MDMA for PTSD treatment by 2021.  \n\nThe [results]( http://www.mdmaptsd.org/research-category.html)\n of the MAPS studies have recently made headlines for their promise of new hope for sufferers of PTSD. Those results come from a small number of studies that explore MDMA specifically as a tool for supporting psychotherapy, not as a treatment for PTSD symptoms themselves. \n\nBut decades of research has shown that cannabis, or “medical marijuana,” to be a safe and effective treatment for a long list of health conditions, including symptoms of PTSD. Still, cannabis remains a [Schedule I substance](https://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml)\nwith no FDA approval on the horizon, much less recognition as a breakthrough drug.\n\nRELATED: [WHY AMERICAN VETERANS AREN’T ALLOWED TO TREAT THEIR PTSD WITH CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/571eb64b40f3db000c0000d4/why-american-veterans-arent-allowed-to-treat-their-ptsd-with-cannabis)\n\n### What Is MDMA? \n\nMDMA is short for 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine – a [chemical compound](https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasymolly) that acts on the brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitters serotonin and, dopamine. It amplifies emotional connectedness, encourages people to be more open and trusting, and promotes a feeling of euphoria and relaxation. \n\nEcstasy contains MDMA, but the two are not the same. The illegal recreational form of the drug can also include many other ingredients, some of them highly toxic. The MDMA used in PTSD research is a pure, lab-synthesized form of the drug. In all its forms, though, MDMA joins heroin and cannabis on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of Schedule I drugs – substances considered highly addictive and having no medical applications.\n\n### MDMA Makes PTSD Therapy More Effective\n\nPeople with PTSD experience a long list of distressing symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety and depression. A number of medications can be prescribed to treat those symptoms, such as antidepressants or sleep aids. But as used in the MAPS studies, MDMA works in a very different and highly specific way to support recovery from PTSD.\n\nA key part of PTSD treatment is therapy to help people process and come to terms with their memories of traumatic experiences. But that can be too difficult for many PTSD sufferers. The MAPS studies explored whether adding MDMA to a therapeutic treatment regimen would make that process easier. This strategy, called MDMA Assisted Therapy, takes advantage of MDMA’s properties for boosting trust, connectedness and emotional openness to create a better patient-therapist bond and encourage open communication.\n\nParticipants in the MAPS studies received a dose of MDMA just before or during three separate therapy sessions. Researchers found that the drug helped patients feel safer with the therapist and more comfortable talking about their traumatic experiences. In that way, they were able to get the full benefit of “talk” therapy designed to reduce their symptoms. Participants had no access to MDMA outside their therapy sessions, and never received more than three doses.\n\nDid it work? According to MAPS researchers, 83 percent of participants in the 7 preliminary studies no longer met the criteria for PTSD after using MDMA along with therapy. Each study involved a group ranging from 16 to over a hundred participants, most of whom had been diagnosed with treatment resistant PTSD, and they were followed for up to a year after they received therapy.\n \n### Could Marijuana Be A Better Option?\n\nCan MDMA alleviate PTSD symptoms all on its own, without highly structured therapeutic interventions? The MAPS studies don’t address that aspect of the question. But a substantial body of research indicates that cannabis certainly can.\n\nBecause cannabis and all its extracts remain on the DEA’s Schedule I, that designation severely limits government-backed research on its medical properties. But a number of large scale academic and private sector studies show that cannabis can relieve a wide range of PTSD symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression and hyperarousal, independent of other kinds of therapies.\n\n### Research on PTSD Symptom Relief\n\nThe number of [studies on medical cannabis](https://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/study.php) for a wide range of conditions including PTSD dwarf the MAPS MDMA studies, where the largest study group consisted of 130 individuals and the typical number of participants in any given study was under 25. Recent [studies](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication )on medical cannabis have included data from more than 3000 participants in the HelloMD database alone, with as many as 91 percent reporting that they got more symptom relief from cannabis alone than from pharmaceuticals. \n\nAlthough the MAPS research revealed that MDMA made therapy more effective, it’s important to remember that MDMA use in those studies was limited to just three doses under the supervision of a trained therapist. Private sector and academic research on cannabis over the past two decades show that cannabis products such as cannabidiol, or CBD, can be used safely over long periods of time as needed to relieve PTSD symptoms, whether therapy is involved or not.\n\nMDMA triggers the production of positive neurotransmitters in the brain, but its effects are limited and relatively short term. Cannabis works with the body’s own vast network of endocannabinoid receptors that affect mood, immune response and a long list of other functions. In that way, cannabis can be used when needed for global benefits to both body and mind. \n\nThe MAPS research on MDMA is racing to its final stages, bringing with it new hope for PTSD sufferers whose symptoms resist other treatments. But MDMA isn’t the only party drug with medicinal properties. Compared to cannabis, it’s just the newest kid on the block.\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  \n\n[Photo credit EP Holcomb](https://www.flickr.com/photos/thewhocaresgirl/4989856243/in/photolist-ohUmqe-phv4Qx-e7rj8J-6J3E2p-8AWjqc-3fMMmk-dsQrj6-VaoLeR-W4mgHW-VnMJ3v-S8XHh8-aaB3De-6KdwRg-oWK6fQ-4pC8D5-RjPyM9-e6R5ty-5z7nTc-9mmLQd-dtX8Mi-iR3Ad9-dzzVcr-2ek2ea-6ynWpe-65trSe-dvH33S-bU3H4n-QXBQep-9GyLJ1-9MFmGV-TF2jAt-493kSV-fhVAMX-72bnA-bCEdjm-5U33KM-djfETZ-7XFgKN-o97VrA-WZFs4o-fov2jw-atoz8t-6Ad7Zi-aac6uf-5wDznE-e5wkVf-aiv8jJ-dZfTZY-2pTjG4-7EtaKU)\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/14b42/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/f836f/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.jpg 200w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/2244e/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.jpg 400w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/14b42/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.jpg 800w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/47498/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.jpg 1200w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/54ac5/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/58556/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/61e93/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.webp 200w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/1f5c5/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.webp 400w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/58556/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.webp 800w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/99238/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.webp 1200w,\n/static/e9bb14fce21e91ff343e33665f401851/5e0b8/cb5f6dad80e69e62ecea402fbc8a7cfe.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2314-markdown","title":"FDA Cracks Down on Fake Cancer Treatments","slug":"fda-cracks-down-on-fake-cancer-treatments","content":"### FDA Sends a Warning Shot\n\nThe United States Food & Drug Administration recently handed out warning letters to fourteen companies that produce sixteen different products that falsely claim to treat, diagnose, or prevent cancer. The products were evaluated and determined to not achieve the things they claimed. None of the over the counter products had received FDA confirmation of their cancer-fighting potential before advertising to consumers. The companies must pull the products or change how they are advertised so they do not reflect the false claims that originally got them in trouble. If these companies do not respond, it could result in a seizure of products or even criminal prosecutions. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe fourteen companies who were issued letters are AIE Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Amazing Sour Sop Inc.; BioStar Technology International LLC; Caudill Seed & Warehouse Inc.; DoctorVicks.com; Everything Herbs; Hawk Dok Natural Salve LLC; Healing Within Products & Services Inc.; LifeVantage Corp.; Nature's Treasure Inc.; Oxygen Health Systems LLC; Sunstone Inc.; The Vibrant Health Store LLC dba Dr. Christopher's Herbs; and The Vitamin C Foundation, many of which who have already responded to the letters by the FDA in different capacities. The companies distributed a variety of products including pills, ointments, drops, oils, teas, and syrups, many of which are sold online, particularly through social media. \n\n### False Claims?\n\nThe recent letters by the FDA against these companies has gained a large amount of media attention, particularly because the products are claimed to treat such a serious condition. Many of these companies, who strongly relied on online profiles where people did not thoroughly check and research the claims, used a variety of tricks to make it appear that their products achieved what they claimed, though their claims are unfounded by the FDA. \n\nThe FDA stated on their [online blog](https://blogs.fda.gov/fdavoice/index.php/2017/04/fda-takes-action-against-fraudulent-cancer-products/) that, “Often a single product was promoted as a treatment or cure for multiple diseases in humans and animals. Hoping to skirt the law on a technicality, some sellers made false claims and then in small print provided a disclaimer that their products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”\n\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA TAKES ON BIG PHARMA](https://hellomd.com/health-wellness/578e5cb0687e76000700000c/marijuana-takes-on-big-pharma-on-the-opioid-front)\n\n### Buyer Beware\n\nThis opens the gate to a larger issue of how consumers need to be wary of products that are unproven and that research needs to be conducted on products outside of the purview of traditional medication. Sadly, these products target people who are, or know of someone, who are ill and in need of hope. [Douglas W Stearn](http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/25/health/cancer-treatments-illegal-fraudulent-misleading-fda/), the director of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Enforcement and Import Operations said, \"Consumers should not use these or similar unproven products because they may be unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate and potentially life-saving cancer diagnosis or treatment…We encourage people to remain vigilant whether online or in a store, and avoid purchasing products marketed to treat cancer without any proof they will work. Patients should consult a health care professional about proper prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”\n\n### Some Similarities with Cannabis\n\nThere are some similar claims in the world of cannabis, particularly in relation to cancer. The ability of cannabis to help with many conditions is widely documented, but cancer enters and interesting grey area between anecdotal evidence and preclinical testing. Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a product that almost everyone has heard of if they have looked for cannabis as a cure for cancer. \n\nCreated by Rick Simpson, who was said to have used high quality cannabis oil to cure his own metastatic skin cancer in 2003, has become a major advocate for the use of cannabis in cancer treatment. He recommends a 90 day protocol using cannabis oil, that can be made on your own, which involves the use of 60g of oil. His protocol has caught the eyes of many people, and though it may be extremely beneficial, it has never been formally tested. Many companies also claim to sell Rick Simpson Oil even though it is not necessarily the same product.\n\n### Cannabis May be Beneficial\n\nThe National Cancer Institute lists a variety of studies that show that cannabis may be very beneficial for people with cancer. A 1996 [study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8662742) showed that cannabinoids could help decrease the viability of the growth of certain types of tumors. The benefits of cannabinoids in the study included cell death, the blocking of cell growth, and the preventing of blood vessel development in tumors. \n\nAnother [study published in FASEB](http://www.fasebj.org/content/17/3/529.full) from 2003 showed that CBD could make chemotherapy more effective. This is due to CBD’s ability to help increase the death of cancer cells, but help protect noncancerous cells. All of the studies, though preclinical, do show great promise for cannabis as a component of cancer treatment. \n\n### Proven Symptom Relief\n\nWe do know for sure that cannabis is extremely effective at helping with a variety of symptoms associated with cancer and chemotherapy. Cannabis can aid with pain, appetite loss, and nausea, all which are a part of life with cancer. Cannabis may be the key to aiding in effective cancer treatment, but before there are clinical trials we can not be completely certain about its potential. It is important to research all products that you are considering taking and consult a trusted and knowledgable physician who can help you navigate the numerous products available. It is important to not just listen to claims, but look into the information behind products. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  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