The right strain of medical cannabis can kill cancer cells

Scientists in Newcastle have discovered that the right strain of medical cannabis can kill cancer cells without killing healthy ones.

The research lasted three years and the team consisted of a cancer expert, Dr. Matt Dunn and biotech firm Australian Natural Therapeutics Group. During the research, we mainly worked with cannabis with a very low THC content.

During the research Dr. Dun and his colleagues also tested THC-rich hemp against varieties with higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD). Ultimately, it was found that the CBD-rich varieties tended to be more effective at killing leukemia and childhood glioma cancer cells than the high-THC varieties. In addition, researchers found that low-THC, high-CBD strains did not kill normal bone marrow cells or healthy white blood cells.

The team also published a literature review of more than 150 academic papers dealing with the anticancer effects of CBD and THC. The researchers concluded that varieties with high CBD content tend to be more effective and have lower toxicity and fewer side effects. Dr. Dunn said cannabis with a given CBD:THC ratio could be an ideal adjunctive therapy for cancer patients.

Source: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/tests-show-potential-for-medicinal-cannabis-to-kill-cancer-cells