Most of us know cannabis as the plant that gives us THC – the compound responsible for that relaxing, uplifting, and often profound high. Many of you already enjoy it in flower, concentrates, or edibles. But what if I told you that this same plant is still hiding secrets in parts we rarely even think about?
A recent study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research (Brownstein et al., 2025) just uncovered something remarkable: compounds in the roots of hemp appear to fight cancer cells in the lab. That’s right – the roots, not the buds, not the leaves, but the part that usually gets tossed away, composted, or ignored.
Beyond THC and CBD
When people talk about cannabis, the conversation usually revolves around cannabinoids like THC found in the flower, and CBD. These are the stars of the show, no doubt. But cannabis produces hundreds of different compounds, from aromatic terpenes to flavonoids and lesser-known plant chemicals.
The new study focused on industrial hemp (the legal variety of cannabis with less than 0.3% THC). Researchers extracted substances from the roots and discovered a group of molecules called neolignans – specifically compounds known as dadahol A and dadahol B. These aren’t cannabinoids. They’re entirely different chemicals that most of us have probably never heard of.
The Science in Simple Terms
Using careful lab techniques, the team isolated these neolignans and tested them against several types of cancer cells – pediatric cancers like neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma, as well as Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The results? Both dadahol A and dadahol B showed strong anti-cancer activity, reducing the survival of cancer cells. One of them, dadahol A, was especially potent, working at micromolar concentrations – levels considered meaningful in early drug discovery research.
To put it plainly: hemp roots produced compounds that could stop cancer cells in their tracks!
Of course, these experiments were done in Petri dishes, not in people. This doesn’t mean hemp roots cure cancer. But it does mean scientists have found something new and very promising – a possible starting point for future therapies.
Why This Matters
Cannabis is often dismissed by critics as “just a recreational drug.” But research keeps showing us that the plant has layers of potential. We’ve already seen how CBD can help with seizures, how THC is powerful for pain and appetite, and how terpenes might play a role in the entourage effect.
Now we’re learning that even the roots – a part of the plant most growers throw away – hold bioactive molecules worth exploring. Imagine what else we haven’t uncovered yet.
From Roots to Remedies?
So what could the future look like? Here are some possibilities:
- Drug development: If further studies confirm the cancer-fighting potential of these neolignans, chemists might be able to develop new medicines inspired by hemp roots.
- Sustainable use: Instead of discarding hemp roots, they could become a valuable raw material for both medicine and wellness products.
- Holistic appreciation: This adds to the growing recognition that cannabis is more than just THC or CBD. Every part of the plant – from flowers to roots – has potential uses.
The Bigger Picture
For centuries, traditional healers in various cultures have used cannabis roots in remedies for pain, inflammation, and other conditions. Modern science is now catching up, showing that these old practices may have been onto something all along.
This doesn’t mean you should start digging up roots from your own grow and making tea. What it does mean is that the cannabis plant keeps proving itself to be one of nature’s most versatile and generous allies. From its ability to alter consciousness and inspire creativity, to its growing list of medical benefits, cannabis is a plant that refuses to be underestimated.
Conclusion
As consumers, most of us enjoy cannabis for its THC-rich flowers, concentrates, and edibles. But it’s worth remembering that this plant is so much more than a buzz. Studies like this one from Brownstein and colleagues (2025) remind us that every part of cannabis may hold secrets waiting to be unlocked.
Who knows? The next breakthrough in cancer treatment might come not from a lab-designed synthetic drug, but from the humble roots of the same plant many of us already love.
One thing’s for sure: cannabis keeps surprising us. The more we learn, the more we realize just how marvelous this plant really is.
