The First Clinical Trial of Marijuana for Chemotherapy Starts
The use of medical marijuana continues to grow with time and now, the New South Wales (NSW) government is funding a clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of marijuana on the side effects prompted by chemotherapy. This will be the world’s first clinical trial of marijuana in the treatment of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, this test has already started in Australia. The trials will be done by investigators at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse together with the University of Sydney alongside the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital as well as other major cancer centers situated in New South Wales, Australia. Used as the basic treatment for cancer, the process of chemotherapy usually causes what are occasionally, troubling side effects such as chills and fever, vomiting and nausea, fatigue, pain and the loss of appetite. The harshness and type of side effects are usually different from an individual to another. However for some, they can be seriously debilitating and may even compel them to quit the medication efforts.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, the lead investigator and Associate Professor at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Mr. Peter Grimison said that it has been quite a long journey with traditional anti-nausea treatment, but almost a third of ailing persons continue in this condition during and even after chemotherapy. Research in the past shows that marijuana is very effective in reducing vomiting, nausea and pain linked with chemotherapy treatments. A number of studies have also proved that marijuana can be of great benefit for cutting down weight loss as it stimulates appetite and enhances the taste of food. This trial by Grimison is randomized, double blinded and placebo-controlled and is aimed at recruiting about 80 patients for the first phase and then an extra 250 patients for phase two. In the trials, patients will be issued with oral weed substances with small degrees of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The function of marijuana medicine in mitigating chemotherapy-induced vomiting and nausea is still not well-defined. Therefore, this research seeks to make clarifications to this as explained by Grimison.
Addressing The Sydney Morning Herald, the Minister for Medical Research, Pru Goward said that an evidence-based research assessing the efficacy of marijuana is important in determining the plant-based drug as an effective and safe treatment for ailing individuals. Goward further reiterated that, this trial will be very vital in the development of a better understanding of the manner in which cannabis products could provide relief for all those suffering from cancer. It’s surprising to think about how people have been pondering over this subject for 3 decades now and still, no real investment has been made in finding a solution. It is time for the New South Wales to become a global leader in this matter. The research is mainly funded through a pioneering measure drawn by the NSW government that gave $21 million for medical cannabis reforms and trials. Everyone is optimistic that this will make a huge impact in the medical world. For some time now, many people have tried marijuana without a lot of details on the relationship that exists between these conditions and weed.
Now, experts say that it is time to dig out the truth. Patients usually lose a lot of weight via nausea and vomiting. In most cases, they get very sick at a time when their strength is needed to support their ailing body. One of the participants in the clinical trial, 32-year old Lauren Hew is a primary teacher from the Marffield City. Hew has been suffering from vomiting and nausea that have caused her to get hospitalized in between chemotherapy sessions. She has two young ones who she dearly protects from seeing her suffering through the episodes of vomiting. Hew says that she needs her children to regard her as a happy mother that supported them all through and had a well-knit family full of joy and happiness. She believes that marijuana will be the best option for her in dealing with her present condition and that it will give her a chance to be with her family. Hew is committed to take part in this process, whether it works for her or not. She believes it is a worthy cause that would bring freedom to many and lessen their troubles with chemotherapy side effects.
Marijuana has come a long way and despite its prohibition in many parts of the world, it is probably the solution that is being sought after to provide treatment for a number of painful health conditions. This first clinical trial for cancer patients on chemotherapy effects is one of its kind and is believed to bring out the best solution ever. Of course, such a move has been made through past research that has acted as a foundation for this study especially studies that touched on marijuana as a useful substance in pain management.
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