Leukemia patients, like any other cancer patient, have much to gain from the use of cannabis. The plant’s medicinal value for cancer patients is uncontested. Leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia, is one of the 10 deadliest cancers, making effective medicinal and therapeutic solutions especially pertinent. Let’s explore which cannabis strains are ideal for alleviating the symptoms of leukemia.
Leukemia is a type of cancer present in the body’s blood-forming tissues, such as the bone marrow and lymphatic system. Just like any other cancer, there are various types of leukemia—some of which are more common in children, while others are more likely in adults, explains the Mayo Clinic. The clinic adds that leukemia usually involves the white blood cells, which are “potent infection fighters.”
When leukemia becomes present in an individual, their body may begin to produce “excessive amounts of abnormal white blood cells, which don’t function properly.” While the exact cause of leukemia is unknown, professionals seem to agree that leukemia is the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Leukemia is classified by how fast it progresses (i.e., acute or chronic) as well as by which type of white blood cell is affected (i.e., lymphocytic or myeloid).
Acute leukemia is used to refer to the type of leukemia where the abnormal blood cells being produced are immature and can’t perform their normal functions along with multiplying rapidly. As a result, acute forms of leukemia are often in need of more aggressive and timely treatment—which is also why acute forms of leukemia will be the focus of this article.
On the other hand, chronic leukemia involves more mature blood cells, which can either be over- or under-produced by the body and are replicated or accumulated more slowly than blood cells in acute forms of leukemia. The blood cells in chronic forms of leukemia can function normally for some time, which is why it often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed for years.
According to Marijuana Doctors, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents. ALL is defined by the immature white blood cells formed in the bone marrow, which are known as lymphocytes. These leukemia cells then spread rapidly into the blood and other parts of the body, including the spinal cord, brain, spleen, lymph nodes, etc. As previously mentioned, the exact cause of leukemia is unknown, but factors that can contribute to it include exposure to x-rays, genetic birth abnormalities, toxins, bone marrow transplants, etc.
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The symptoms associated with ALL include:
As for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Marijuana Doctors explains that this leukemia is a type of blood cancer that causes white blood cells to be immature and continue to build up. It begins in your bone marrow, much like ALL, which is the soft inner parts of the bones. While both AML and ALL begin with the bone marrow, the most notable difference is the fact that AML originates in myeloid cells, the precursor cells that eventually become white blood cells, while ALL originates in lymphocytes. AML is also considered to be the most common type of leukemia present in adults.
The symptoms associated with AML include:
The following strains are effective for symptoms of leukemia based on their dominant compounds and respective effects as a result of such compounds.
Symptom |
Strain |
Recommended Consumption Methodology |
| Bone Pain |
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| Inflammation from Infection |
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| Fatigue, Decreased Energy, and Lethargy |
Note that these strains are all THC-dominant. This is due to the fact that these strains have the highest THCV content, which is the compound needed for energy. |
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| Anxiety and Depression |
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| Treatment Related Nausea and Vomiting |
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| Treatment Related Lack of Appetite |
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| Lumps |
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The symptoms associated with leukemia have a profound impact on the patient. However, much like any other condition, the symptoms vary from person to person—which means that each patient will benefit differently from the strains listed above. As you can see, there are some strains that overlap in symptom relief such as Harlequin, ACDC, and Girl Scout Cookies.
While cannabis does offer much relief and therapeutic benefits for those dealing with vicious cancer like leukemia, it is important that patients consult with their physicians in order to ensure there are no negative interactions or side effects.
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