Research says marijuana can speed up human papillomavirus-related cancer growth

‘Tis is the age of marijuana, weed, hash, cannabis… or whatever else you want to call it. Never has there been such a vocal demand for the plant-based substance in India and the world. Used for recreation by many, marijuana is also recommended medically in many countries for its pain-relieving properties. After all, there are hardly any side-effects of marijuana right? Well, if you believe that from the bottom of your heart–then we’ve got some news you’ll be very interested in. Turns out, marijuana can speed up the growth of human papillomavirus-related head and neck cancer. 

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine claim that THC accelerates cancer growth in patients with HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Blame the tetrahydrocannabinol
You see, THC is one of the 113 cannabinoids that can be found in marijuana. It also happens to be the main psychoactive compound in the plant and is the reason why we tend to feel euphoria or a high after smoking up. But what’s it connection to cancer? 

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Apoptosis is crucial for the body as it kills pre-cancerous and infected cells in the body–thus protecting you and your immune system. 

So is marijuana really a harmless drug?
While we can have this debate over and over again–the American researchers are calling for more research to bust public opinion about the lack of health hazards of marijuana. 

This is crucial, also because this isn’t the first study to point fingers at cannabis and THC for acceleration of cancer growth. In fact, many studies have connected the dots between daily marijuana exposure and an increased incidence of human papillomavirus-related throat cancer. However, the “how” of the whole mattera mechanism was unknown. 

Also, read: Single dose of HPV vaccine might be enough to prevent the cancer-causing infection

“We now have convincing scientific evidence that daily marijuana use can drive tumor growth in HPV-related head and neck cancer,” said Joseph A. Califano III, MD, senior author and professor and vice chief of the Division of Otolaryngology in the Department of Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Marijuana and other cannabis products are often considered benign, but it is important to note that all drugs that have benefits can also have drawbacks. This is a cautionary tale.”