Issue 29 - From breast cancer to leukemia, new research reveals how cannabis compounds are attacking tumors and easing pain

BudMed Bulletin for 27/03/2025

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Can Cannabis Crush Nerve Pain? Shocking Study Says Yes—34% Pain Drop in HIV Patients vs 17% Placebo!

Pain drop: Smoking cannabis lowered daily pain by 34% on average (some saw as much as 71% less pain, others 16%) compared to 17% with a fake treatment (placebo, ranging from 29% less to 8% more pain). This difference was real (p = 0.03). Big pain relief: 52% of the cannabis group said their pain dropped by more than 30%, while only 24% of the placebo group said the same (p = 0.04). First smoke: The very first cannabis cigarette cut chronic pain by 72% on average, compared to just 15% with placebo (p < 0.001)—a huge difference. Extra pain tests: Cannabis helped reduce extra sensitivity to light brushing and poking with a special hair-like tool (p < or = 0.05), but it didn’t do much for pain from heat. Safety: No one reported any serious problems from using cannabis. Source

Low-dose vaporized cannabis significantly improves neuropathic pain

Cannabis works for pain: These numbers are similar to what you see with usual pain meds for nerve pain, so cannabis seems to help with pain relief. The low dose works just as well as the medium dose. Side effects: The “high” or mind-altering effects were small and easy to handle. Any changes in thinking or focus didn’t last long and went away in 1-2 hours. Bottom line: Even a small amount of vaporized cannabis could be a good choice for people with nerve pain that doesn’t get better with other treatments. Source

Could cannabis hold the key to beating breast cancer? New study reveals how cannabinoids attack cancer cells by hitting vital proteins—read this!

Cannabinoids (compounds from cannabis) affected the growth of a type of breast cancer cell (MCF-7aro). Two cannabinoids, AEA and THC, caused the cancer cells to die through a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death). Another cannabinoid, CBD, triggered a different process called autophagy, which also led to the cancer cells dying. All cannabinoids tested lowered the levels of two important proteins in the cells: aromatase and ERα (estrogen receptor alpha). AEA and CBD specifically reduced aromatase activity a lot and increased the levels of another protein, ERβ (estrogen receptor beta). Each cannabinoid worked differently, but they all targeted aromatase and estrogen receptors (ERs), which are crucial for the growth of estrogen-dependent (ER+) breast cancer cells. Since aromatase and ERs are key targets for treating ER+ breast cancer, cannabinoids could be helpful as new treatment options. Among them, CBD looks like the most promising one for fighting this type of breast cancer. Source

Could this new cannabis compound be the key to fighting skin cancer?

Scientists tested a new compound called LE-127/2 on three types of melanoma (skin cancer) cells. They found that LE-127/2 (at a dose of 20 µM) boosted levels of key proteins (LC-3, Beclin-1, and p62) that help trigger autophagy—a process where cells "clean house" by breaking down and recycling parts of themselves. The compound also ramped up proteins linked to apoptosis, which is basically a cell’s self-destruct button—especially one called cleaved PARP, which stood out. Bottom line: LE-127/2 seems to kick start autophagy, slowing down cancer cell growth and even causing the cells to die off. Source

Could CBD Be a Game-Changer for Liver Cancer? New Study Shows It Reverses Cancer Cell Growth

CBD treatment greatly reduced the ability of liver cancer (HCC) cells to grow and spread, both in lab tests and in living organisms. Here's how it worked: CBD lowered the amount of a protein called GRP55 in HCC cells. It increased the amount of a tumor-fighting protein called TP53. It stopped a cell growth signal called MAPK from turning on. When researchers forced HCC cells to make more GRP55 or removed TP53, the cancer cells regained their ability to grow despite CBD treatment. In simple terms, CBD puts the brakes on liver cancer by: Turning down GRP55 levels. Boosting TP53 levels. Blocking the MAPK signal. All of this slows down the cancer cells' growth and spread. Source

Can Hemp Seed Oil Ease Knee Pain?

Almost all measurements (except heel-to-thigh distance) got much better in the group using hemp seed oil compared to the group using a placebo (fake treatment). The improvements in pain (VAS) and joint function (WOMAC) were about the same when comparing the hemp seed oil group to the diclofenac gel group. Heel-to-thigh distance went down a lot in all groups during the study. For those taking high blood pressure medication and can't use diclofenac, hemp seed oil might be a good alternative. Source

Leukemia - New study shows CB2 stimulation slashes tumor-boosting genes in leukemia cells!

We looked at how turning on CB2 affects a type of leukemia cell called SUP-B15. We found that SUP-B15 cells have less CB2 compared to healthy immune cells (lymphocytes). This lower CB2 level might play a role in how this leukemia develops. When we turn on CB2, it lowers the activity of certain genes (CD9, SEC61G, TBX21, TMSB4X) that help the tumor grow and spread. Turning on CB2 also slows down some processes inside the cell that the tumor needs to keep going. Source

CBD’s Secret Power: How It Tames Your Brain’s Serotonin Switch (5-HT1A) in Two Surprising Ways!

This review digs into recent studies to clarify CBD’s effects on the brain and how it might calm 5-HT1AR signaling. CBD has many brain-related benefits: it can help with depression, anxiety, nerve protection, psychosis, nausea, pain sensitivity, epilepsy, degeneration, and addiction—partly due to 5-HT1AR. The way CBD interacts with 5-HT1AR depends on the dose. We suggest CBD reduces 5-HT1AR sensitivity in two ways: Homologous: CBD uses GRK2 and β-arrestin to pull the receptor inside cells. Heterologous: Other receptors raise calcium levels or activate proteins like JNK to dial down 5-HT1AR. Source

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Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter by BudMed Bulletin is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the use of medical cannabis.