It's scientifically proven that the chemical compounds found in cannabis, especially cannabidiol (CBD), are effective in treating the symptoms of many forms of cancer. But now there's evidence that it may potentially cure the disease by attacking cancer cells.
Cancer researcher Matt Dun of the University of Newcastle in Australia recently completed a three-year study showing that a specific modified hemp stem is destructive to certain types of cancer cells, while remaining harmless to human body cells.
According to the press release from the University of Newcastle:
"Laboratory tests conducted at Newcastle University and the Hunter Institute of Medical Research have shown that a modified form of medicinal cannabis can kill or inhibit cancer cells without affecting normal cells, revealing its potential as a treatment rather than just a drug ."
The strain in question, named Eve, was modified to contain less than 1% of the expected amount of "THC", the compound associated with the psychotropic properties of cannabis, while at the same time having a very high amount of CBD.
Dun and his team collaborated with the Australian Natural Therapies Group (ANTG) to develop the stem cell and conduct the necessary tests to determine its potential as an invasive factor in cancer. According to Dun:
«ANTG wanted me to test it against cancer, so initially we used leukemia cells and we were truly amazed at how sensitive they were. At the same time, cannabis did not kill normal bone marrow cells, nor normal healthy neutrophils (white blood cells). Then we realized there was a selective mechanism targeting cancer and we have spent the last years trying to find the answer.»
Next steps include testing the strain on other types of cancer cells in the hope of convincing lawmakers around the world to take cannabis trials seriously. Studies like the one conducted are difficult to conduct in places where cannabis is still considered a dangerous and illegal drug, such as in the US where it remains classified as a substance of equal risk to heroin.
