Researchers with the University of London at St. George’s said they’ve discovered cannabis extracts containing the key chemical in marijuana — tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC — actually help with brain cancer when combined with another chemical and radio therapy.
The other necessary chemical is cannabidiol, United Press International reported.
Scientists tested mice with brain tumors using the combined extracts and irradiation, and treated them without any extracts and irradiation, and found the first group experienced more success.
“Those treated with both irradiation and the cannabinoids saw the most beneficial results and a drastic reduction in size,” said Wai Liu, senior research fellow and lead researcher on the project, UPI reported. “In some cases, the tumors effectively disappeared in the animals. This augurs well for further research in humans in the future. At the moment, this is a mostly fatal disease.”
CBD and THC are found in the cannabis plant, and both have been used to treat epilepsy, anxiety, depression, headaches and nausea.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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