Full Extract Cannabis Oil FECO) has emerged as a potent medicinal cannabis product with promising applications, including cancer treatment. Simply put, the therapeutic potential of FECO for cancer is due to its rich blend of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. FECO has shown enhanced efficacy in both inhibiting tumor growth and promoting overall well-being by affecting the endocannabinoid system.

FECO for Cancer: The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is involved in many physiological and pathological conditions. These conditions include inflammation, diabetes, cardiac dysfunction, and cancer. Medicinal cannabis products, like FECO, produce its therapeutic effects by activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors. THC targets the central nervous system, which is rich in CB1 receptors. CBD targets CB2 receptors which are concentrated mostly in the cells of the immune system.

Endocannabinoids themselves are endogenous (from inside the body) lipid signaling molecules. Lipids are fatty compounds that play an important role in cancer treatment. One of their cellular functions is to stop the formation of exosomes which increase the growth rate of lung cancer cells. This, among other reasons, is why cannabinoids are often cited for their anti-cancer properties. In addition to cannabinoids, cannabis also contains terpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes and flavonoids have also been observed to perform actions that actively fight tumors.

Research shows that whole cannabis extracts are more effective at impairing the growth of cancer cells than pure THC. This suggests that the combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids is what makes cannabis effective at fighting cancer.

How to Use FECO to Treat Cancer

Because FECO is a whole-plant extract, it contains the broadest range of terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. But what does this mean?

Plants naturally produce terpenes to mediate antagonistic and beneficial interactions among organisms. Terpenes also give different cannabis plants, foods, spices, and beverages their distinct flavors. Most plants use terpenes to ward off predators, pathogens (bacteria), and competitors as a survival tactic. Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Mycrene are the three most dominant terpenes of the cannabis plant.

Caryophyllene

Unlike most terpenes, Caryophyllene behaves like a cannabinoid because it binds with CB2 receptors. Research into caryophyllene has shown strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a possible therapy for inflammatory bowel disease as well as anxiety and depression. Current studies are exploring caryophylle’s potential for reducing gene stress. This is done by combating premature aging which can be brought on by chronic disorders like cancer.

Limonene

Limonene is one of the few terpenes that has been tested in human clinical trials, albeit with doses higher than those found naturally in cannabis. It has been proven effective at inhibiting the growth of breast cancer tumors by mediating a key protein associated with breast cancer. Additional studies have reported that Limonene can cause tumor cells to die in laboratory tests exploring models for lung cancer and brain cancer.

Myrcene

One of the most common and often dominant terpenes is Myrcrene. It is known to block the cancer-causing effects of aflatoxins (a family of toxins produced by fungi) by inhibiting the liver enzyme CYP2B1 which enables these toxins to damage our DNA. Mycrene is also renowned for its antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.

How to Make FECO for Cancer Treatment

The grain alcohol extraction method can be done at home with relative ease following five steps.

1. Decarboxylate your cannabis by heating your THC flower in the oven at 240°F for 40 minutes.
2. Place your de-carbed cannabis in a sealable glass container (such as a mason jar) and submerge it in 190-200 proof grain alcohol. Leave it for 24 hours to six months.
3. Evaporate the alcohol by opening the lid of your jar, covering it with a coffee filter, and leaving it out at room temperature for 3-4 days.
4. Collect the thick oil while it’s still warm and store it in a glass reusable syringe with measurements for controlled dosing.

While this process may be relatively easy, it is time-consuming and more difficult to control the exact quantities of THC and CBD that result from the extraction process. The best quality FECO products are produced using subzero ethanol extraction.

Different molecules have either a polar structure (an uneven distribution of electrons) or a non-polar structure (a symmetrical distribution of electrons). The components of a cannabis plant—cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids—vary in whether they are polar or not. Ethanol can extract all of them which is why we use the term “full-extract” in full-extract cannabis oil or FECO for cancer.

The ethanol is cooled to around -40˚C before extraction and kept above -30˚C during the process. The advantage of this is that fewer filtration steps are required after extraction. In the evaporation process, the THC/CBD solution is subjected to vacuum and heat which evaporates the solvent and leaves behind the crude cannabis oil at an average cannabinoid potency of 60-70%. A third step of distillation subjects the oil to a deeper vacuum and more heat so that the cannabinoids themselves are refined to result in a distillate potency of 85-95%.

FECO for Cancer Protocol Dosage Guidelines

While there is a difference in the extraction methods used for Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) we do believe in its dosage protocol to achieve optimum results with FECO for cancer. The Rick Simpson protocol involves a steady dosage increase of FECO over 90 days to allow patients to consume a total of 60 grams over 90 days.

The steady increase of FECO over time is due to the potency of the oil. After the 30-day build-up phase, patients will consume one gram per day when they use our standard THC FECO. People with particularly high sensitivity to THC may be advised to first try treatment with King Harvest’s CBD dominant FECO or 1:1 THC/CBD FECO.

FECO packaging is designed to allow patients to very accurately measure their dosage. Some people may prefer to eyeball the dosage and a grain of rice is normally used as a suitable measure.

• Days 1-7: 10mg per day (⅓ grain of rice)
• Days 8-11: 20mg per day (⅔ grain of rice)
• Days 12-15: 40mg per day (1 ⅓ grain of rice)
• Days 16-19: 80mg per day (2 ⅔ grain of rice)
• Days 20-23: 160mg per day (5 ⅓ grains of rice)
• Days 24-27: 320mg per day (10 ⅔ grains of rice)
• Days 28-31: 600mg per day (20 grains of rice)
• Days 32-90: 1000mg per day (33 ⅓ grains of rice)

Please note that as with all cannabis products, the dosage will vary on a case-by-case basis. Contact a dosing specialist from King Harvest Wellness to discover exactly what dosage will work best for you.

FECO Administration Best Practices for Cancer Treatment

As a medical-grade cannabis oil extract, FECO is best administered in one of two ways – sublingually or as a suppository.

• Sublingual:
  The term sublingual means to apply under the tongue. This area is capillary-rich which allows the oil to be absorbed efficiently and immediately distributed through the bloodstream. While it is safe to ingest FECO, the beneficial effects will be delayed through digestion.
• Suppository: A suppository is a small capsule that is inserted into the rectum. They are a similarly fast delivery method to allow oil absorbtion into the bloodstream. Suppositories also offer a high absorption rate where around 70% of the compounds are absorbed and utilized.

Patients who use suppositories tend not to feel high. However, they still receive all of the benefits of the cannabinoids and terpenes through the entourage effect. It is equally possible to smoke FECO but users often report it being an intense and unpleasant experience.

Each patient will respond to the delivery methods in different ways so it is important to find a method that works best for you. If you have any questions about which method could be best for you, book a complimentary consultation with our FECO specialists today.

Supporting Evidence of FECO for Cancer

There is currently no clinical research on FECO products specifically to affirm their efficacy in cancer treatment. However, multiple studies have explored the anti-cancerous benefits of cannabinoids and the use of specific terpenes like Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Mycrene.

Much of the literature from the biggest cancer organizations supports the narrative of traditional cancer treatments. For any oncology patient, the aggressiveness of traditional pharmaceuticals is overwhelming. Medicinal cannabis is often prescribed for oncology patients to cope with the side effects, particularly malnutrition, nausea, and pain relief. The overwhelming anecdotal evidence from patients for the benefits of cannabis is stoking the acceleration of research in this area.

The existing research into the effect of cannabinoids on tumor growth and development is encouraging. Studies have shown that cannabinoids inhibit the rapid growth of breast and prostate cancer cells. Additionally, some terpenes and flavonoids have exhibited cytotoxicity against a variety of cancers. While these studies have only been conducted on animals, the results are encouraging and paving the way for clinical trials that have been underway in Israel.

Common Cancer Types Treated with FECO

FECO is used by patients to treat many different cancer types. Arguably the most well-documented story of cancer treatment with cannabis oil was Rick Simpson – a Canadian engineer who was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, in 2003. Inspired by a 1975 study that was the first to shine a light on the anti-tumor properties of cannabis in mouse lab testing, he created RSO and cured himself of cancer.

There is, unfortunately, no clinical evidence to scientifically prove that cannabis oil treatment can cure patients of cancer mainly due to doctors being wary of prescribing it, continued speculation, and legislation hurdles. However, online testimonials that have been independently verified by new media sources and medical records show that cannabis oil has been successful in treating several different cancers.

A British mother healed her grade 3 breast cancer with Full Extract Cannabis Oil treatment in March 2017. A Hollywood stuntman who was diagnosed with grade 4 colon cancer used cannabis oil to cure himself after experiencing pain caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatment. A 63-year-old grandfather in the UK cured his liver cancer in 2014, two years after being diagnosed, using only cannabis oil.

Testimonials from other patients have described their use of FECO to treat:

• Brain cancer (glioblastoma)
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Liver cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Anal cancer
• B-cell Lymphoma
• Skin cancer

For patients suffering from skin cancer, FECO is not the only treatment option. Whole-molecule cannabis salves can also be used to help treat irritation and manage pain.

Combining FECO with Conventional Cancer Treatments

If you are prescribed pharmaceuticals, it is important to identify any potential interactions and side effects. You can find a comprehensive list of drug interactions here. However, we would advise consulting with your doctor before commencing a course of FECO for Cancer treatment.

Precautions and Safety Measures

As we touched on earlier, FECO is a highly potent product. The potency enhances the beneficial effects through the entourage effect with a high dosage protocols. For patients with high sensitivity to THC, this may lead to undesired effects and a very intense high.

Side effects of FECO can include:

• Dry mouth
• Increased appetite
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness

Products like King Harvest Wellness’ CBD dominant FECO or 1:1 THC/CBD FECO are available for patients with high sensitivity to THC. Suppository dosing is another alternative for patients to experience the full benefits of FECO without the high.

We recommend that any cancer patients considering FECO always consult with medical professionals before commencing. While medical professionals will likely advise against the use of cannabis oil—as clinicians are still not convinced by the existing evidence-based data—it is important that patients with other underlying physical or psychological conditions are educated on evidence-supported potential risks of consuming FECO for cancer.

The Future of Medical Cannabis and FECO for Cancer

The wave of current research into the viability of cannabis as an anticarcinogenic and tumor-growth inhibitor is paving the way for cannabis to be used to fight cancer in years to come. Without getting lost in waves of speculation and looking only at published research, there is growing evidence that is influencing a change in the status quo.

Cannabis for Ovarian Cancer

One example is a recent study that discovers a new potential breakthrough for ovarian cancer. It states “there is significant value in the development of these compounds as anti-cancer therapies in clinical practice as they do not produce the typical toxic side effects that exist with conventional therapies and recent clinical trials have shown their great tolerability by patients at high doses.”

FECO for Oncology Patients

Cannabis use as an integrative medicine continues to evolve. FECO currently prescribed to many oncology patients as a way to manage immediate and long-lasting side effects of chemotherapy and radiography. These include chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, peripheral neuropathy, and alopecia.

Cannabis for Brain Cancer

There has also been a study into the use of cannabidiol (CBD) alongside conventional brain cancer treatments which resulted in a study in which patients using cannabis were more likely to respond to the treatment and have a longer life expectancy.

Emerging Research of FECO for Cancer

The significant barrier in cannabis research progress remains legislative. Now, much of the research into the use of cannabis as an anti-cancer treatment is centered around Europe and Israel where multiple tumor cell lines have been inhibited in vitro.

It is safe to say that the future is looking bright for FECO and cannabis’ role in cancer treatment. Combining these studies with anecdotal evidence and testimonials from cancer patients using cannabis for symptom relief helps the interest in this research field to grow. In addition to further research, we also want to see more open-mindedness from oncologists toward the amazing potential of cannabis and FECO for cancer patients.