GWPH - Research Shows Marijuana Use Can Accelerate HPV-Related Cancer Growth
While marijuana has been touted by many for its beneficial medical effects, there are some health conditions where cannabis might not be so good for you. New research from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine showed that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- the cannabis compound that makes users "high" -- causes accelerated growth of neck and head cancer cells in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Researchers outlined how the presence of THC in the blood activates the p38 MAPK pathway, which is responsible for triggering cell death (apoptosis). When turned on, this pathway prevents cells from dying, which in turn, lets cancer cells grow without restraint.
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