What cannabis and fish oil can do to cancer

Cannabis and fish oil have more in common than you might think…

They both contain compounds that kill cancer cells. And they do it the same way.

You probably know that cannabis contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD, which decrease inflammation and give cannabis an anti-cancer effect.

Well, omega-3 fatty acids contain endocannabinoids, compounds with similar inflammation and cancer-fighting abilities found naturally in our bodies, as well as certain animals and plants.

So, whether you eat a “special” brownie or a salmon dinner, it has a similar effect…

Your body gets a healthy dose of compounds that interact with a communication system in your brain called the endocannabinoid (EC) system. The endocannabinoid system affects every other system in your body — the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the gastrointestinal system, the musculoskeletal system, the immune system and more.

That means it has the potential to impact diseases ranging from asthma to Alzheimer’s. And then, of course, there’s cancer…

Cannabinoids or endocannabinoids to fight cancer?

A recent review of the research on cannabinoids and cancer published in the British Journal of Pharmacology showed that cannabinoid compounds may be able to:

• Stop cancer cells from dividing and invading normal tissue
• Block blood supply to tumors
• Enhance the body’s immune response to prevent the growth and spread of tumors

Great news, right? But if cannabis isn’t your cup of tea, a recent study says endocannabinoids do the trick too…

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that the endocannabinoids in omega-3 fatty acids helped mice with a painful and difficult-to-treat bone cancer called osteosarcoma. These compounds:

• Killed cancer cells
• Stopped cancer cells from spreading
• Slowed the growth of tumors

So, cannabinoids and endocannabinoids can probably play a useful role in cancer prevention… and maybe even treatment.

Upping your intake of endocannabinoids

You already know where to get cannabinoids if you’re interested — the cannabis plant.

But what about endocannabinoids? Like I mentioned earlier, they’re found in omega-3s. So, any food that contains this essential fatty acid, like fatty fish and fish oil, is a source of endocannabinoids, including:

• Salmon
• Mackerel
• Herring
• Sardines
• Anchovies
• Tuna
• Flax seeds
• Eggs
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts
• Hemp seeds

You can get endocannabinoids from a few other foods too. Want to know my favorites?

Dark chocolate and raw cacao!

So, treat yourself to a chocolate treat tonight and get a healthy dose of endocannabinoids while you’re at it.

Sources:

1. Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System — NORML.
2. Marijuana and Cancer — American Cancer Society.
3. Cannabinoids may have a vast array of anti-cancer effects — MedicalXpress.
4. Anti‐tumoural actions of cannabinoids — British Journal of Pharmacology.
5. Products of omega-3 fatty acid metabolism may have anticancer effects, study shows — MedicalXpress.
6. Antitumorigenic Properties of Omega-3 Endocannabinoid Epoxides — Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
7. Phytocannabinoids beyond the Cannabis plant – do they exist? — British Journal of Pharmacology.
8. How to Stimulate the Endocannabinoid System Without Cannabis — Leafly.