Ask Dr. Mike: Can Marijuana Cure Brain Cancer & Can Magnesium Improve Asthma?

Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans. Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:

Recently I was told that marijuana can treat brain cancer. Is that true? Do you have to smoke to get those benefits or can you isolate the main compounds and take them in a pill?

No, you don't have to smoke marijuana to get the benefits. In fact, cannabinoids (a natural compound found in marijuana) can be isolated and taken in pill form. The two main cannabinoids that have received the most research are THC and CBD.

According to the American Cancer Society, THC and marijuana can relieve pain, control nausea and vomiting, and stimulate your appetite if you have cancer or AIDS. Researchers also report that THC decreases pressure within the eyes, which reduces the severity of glaucoma.

A study looked at the effects of THC and CBD on cultured glioma cells. Scientists found that both cannabinoids (THC and CHD) killed gliomas. Also, the cannabinoids were shown to make the glioma cells more sensitive to radiation.

Since magnesium can help with blood pressure, can it also help with asthma?

A study published in The Journal of Asthma in 2010, showed that people who took 340 milligrams of magnesium daily for six and a half months experienced improved lung function and better asthma control.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.