July 28, 2017. We lost our girl.

I have since been thinking about my blog and knowing that I needed to get back to it, but LoKi’s loss kind of knocked the wind out of me. Actually… it flattened me. We knew it was coming and we had eight amazing months to party like rock-stars. We hiked, played, swam, ate steak, and of course…. the ball rarely touched the ground. One of the best and worst years of my life. I procrastinated on writing this particular entry for, what was it? 2 months? I didn’t want to relive the pain and I hated surrendering to that fucking T-dragon. I am still grateful to the role cannabis played in maintaining her comfort. In the end, she just stopped eating one day, her lungs filled up with fluid and she could no longer breathe comfortably. That part lasted about 3-4 days. My husband and I could NOT allow her to suffer, so the family (including her sister, Juno) carried her into the vet’s on a Monday morning to ease her pain.

The following months have been kind of a recuperation phase. I smile more because I’m not constantly worried (or in fight mode), but I cry some days because I miss her. Watching Juno live without her best friend has been painful to say the least – a lot of adjustment there…… She did not leave my side for the first couple of weeks. It seemed like she ‘needed’ me, but I’m pretty sure it was the other way around.

I have this huge stack of cannabis information that I am ready to go through – maybe the winter months will get me motivated again. I think my next topic will be MS. Stand by please……….. Heart still mending.

This is my kid about 5 days before she moved on to her next super hero life form. We literally PLAYED until the very end. RIP, baby girl. Forever in our hearts.

Anyone interested in this ???

Participate in groundbreaking cannabinoid research! We are looking for adults who use hemp oil (CBD) products to participate in a brief study. Participation requires one 45 minute in-person visit to either Colorado Springs, Denver, or Boulder to answer some questions and provide a biological sample. Following participation, you will receive $25 compensation. If you’re interested, please call (719) 629-7563 to speak with a project staff member. Participation requirements: 18 years of age or older Consistently using a hemp oil (CBD) product Travel to Colorado Springs, Denver, or Boulder for one 45 minute visit Thank you for helping us to advance cannabinoid science! The Realm of Caring Team

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Probably my favorite subject involving the study of cannabis is The Endocannabinoid System. Have you ever wondered WHY cannabis is so therapeutic for so many medical conditions??? Nobody really understood why until discoveries about the human brain started happening in the 1980s. Thank you, NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) for subsidizing studies leading to breakthroughs about brain chemistry and profound understanding of how the body works and heals. Of course NIDA was designed to prove deleterious effects of cannabis and discredit the use of it for medical use. Teee heee heee
THC was first isolated by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and T. Gaoni in Israel in 1964 and in the following 20 years, SO much was discovered about the pharmacology, biochemistry and clinical effects of cannabis. The most exciting one being the Endocannabinoid system! Dr. Mechoulam and his colleagues began uncovering this system in 1988. “By using a plant that has been around for thousands of years, we discovered a new physiological system of immense importance,” says Dr. M. “We would not have been able to get there if we had not looked at the plant”.

Discovery of cellular membrane cannabinoid receptors occurred in the 1990s, when cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) was found at the synapses of the central nervous system and the sensory neurons’ peripheral terminals. CB 1 receptors are expressed in abundance in the hippocampus, cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and spinal cord. These account for cannabinoid effects on memory, cognition, and movement.
(GW Pharmaceuticals, 2014; Sulak, 2015a)
CB1 receptors are also sparsely found in peripheral nerves, as well as non-neuronal tissue like fat, muscle, and body organs.
Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) was found a few years later, predominantly in the immune system and its related structures. CB2 receptors are also present in the gut, spleen, liver, heart, kidneys, bones, blood vessels, lymph cells, endocrine glands and reproductive organs.

Marijuana does so much and is such a versatile medicine because it acts everywhere, not just the brain.
In 1992, Dr. M and his colleagues found another neurotransmitter, a naturally occurring ‘endocannabinoid’ which attaches to the same brain cell receptors as THC. They named it ‘anandamide’ (Sanskrit word for bliss).
In 1995, they discovered a second major endocannabinoid: 2-arachidonoylglyceraol or “2-AG” that locks on to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are the physiological ligands that the body produces for the endocannabinoid receptors, and they create similar effects to cannabis in the body.

****Ligands are small signaling or messaging molecules that bind to the ECS receptor: including human and animal endogenous production of endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-AG), phytocannabinoids (from plant sources), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured) (GW Pharmaceuticals, 2014).

The ECS has many functions in the body and is primarily responsible for managing homeostasis in the body. It helps to manage the central and peripheral nervous systems and impacts physiology in areas such as energy uptake, immune response, storage, reproduction and cellular lifespan.
Cannabinoids help create balance via: Inhibition and excitation of the nervous system, bone formation and resorption, inflammatory/ anti-inflammatory signaling, fat storage and release, and supporting the management of blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and hormone levels. (Vipperman, 2014)
Phytocannabinoids (cannabis) and synthetic cannabinoids (dronabinol and nabilone) are known as exocannabinoids.
There are MANY cannabinoids in cannabis, though most often discussed are THC and CBD.
**THC generally works as a cannabinoid receptor agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptor sites; CBD meanwhile works as an antagonist of CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Cannabis has many chemicals that work together to create different effects versus any one chemical alone.
The effects of cannabis have drawn scientists to the still unfolding story of the ECS, which has only recently begun to reveal its profound mysteries. Endocannabinoids and their receptors are a hot topic among scientists and researchers that share their findings in papers and journals hosted by the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS), formed in 1992. For Big Pharma this research is certainly a threat as advances in the cannabinoid studies lead to new treatment strategies for things like diabetes, neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, etc. Watch out, Big Pharma. RAR.
I find it amazing that the discovery of such an important system was stumbled upon after tracing the metabolic pathways of THC. It seems like cannabis is leading us down a long journey of new information about how our bodies function. It’s amazing…..right??

LoKi and Juno are just checking in! We are approaching 6 months and as you can see, LoKi is climbing mountains and just being her rock star self! Cancer Schmancer she says….. I have the heart of a lion.

Just wanted to throw this youtube at you this morning for your very own entertainment!! Dr. William Courtney is a psychiatrist and holistic physician in Mendocino County, California. I’m kind of liking everything he has to say so far. What do you think?? For those that are treating a chronic condition, it seems like a great road to take. Especially if you are a gardener extraordinaire!

If you are still with me, you are probably starting to notice that public awareness of CBD is growing. Rapidly! Good news travels fast! Because the demand is increasing expeditiously, companies are scrambling to provide that money making product! As you will see on Amazon, it is possible to buy cbd! Weird, huh? How do they get to mail marijuana products all over the country?? Let me try to explain……..  Hemp and Cannabis are basically the same plant, the difference lies in the total THC content of the final product. Legally, hemp is “ANY cannabis plant that produces .3% THC and less” for the US. The whole concept of hemp was created by Dr. Ernest Small who said that, “there is no real point in which marijuana and hemp differ”, so .3% THC is the line he drew. People generally feel the psychoactive effects of THC at 1% and obviously there are growers that cultivate for much higher levels. Carlotte’s Web (developed for treating seizures) is a good example of a strain that specifically grows for high levels of CBD. It would be ideal for hemp companies to be transparent about their product because CBD is so great for so many things. ONE little blind spot I see is that there are conditions that require a slightly higher percentage of THC (cancer, chrons), so the customer may not truly understand what they are buying. It is also extremely important to understand that if you are putting products from this plant into your body, it must be grown in organic conditions!! The cannabis plant really absorbs minerals AND contaminants from the soil, so if you buy CBD that was extracted from a sativa plant grown in China for fiber (not for human consumption) you may be ingesting something full of heavy metals. You are here because you actually care about your body right? Please buy from a good source that has third party testing.

While I am babbling – please don’t be afraid of the THC. I have been hearing many tales of ‘when I was in college, I smoked this joint’…….. I have a huge respect for you wanting to protect your body. I am with you! The treatments I refer to in this website are not aimed to get you high. We are learning, however that THC is often necessary to treat many conditions. CBD and THC are the most well understood of all of the cannabinoids and they clearly are synergistic to one another. It is believed that CBD is much more ‘bioavailable’ with some THC left behind. We love picking and choosing what parts of the plant we want, but at some point you may wonder what nature had in mind in the first place!  There are quite a few conditions that benefit greatly from a higher CBD:THC ratio, but hopefully that patient is working closely with a cannabis practitioner that can help them choose the lesser of the many harmful medications we already subject our bodies to. If higher levels of THC are needed (cancer, severe pain, spasticity), the CBD will often balance out any psychoactive effects of the THC, often times resulting in a feeling of calmness or sleepiness. Of course, THC is also a great appetite stimulant and anti-emetic. Yay!!!! Thanks for keeping your minds open! Until next time……

Just exactly where is all of this cannabis info coming from? Is it new? What’s the deal? NO. Not new. Here’s the run down………

The Chinese used medical cannabis in 5000 BC!!  In the early 1800s an MD by the name of William O’Shaughnessy began documenting and recording valuable information he gathered from the Indian culture in it’s cannabis use – this lead to a revival of sorts in the use of medical cannabis. It was listed in the US Pharmacopeia until about 1942. By 1920 there were 2000+ preparations of cannabis listed with over 280 manufacturers.

THEN in the 1930s things started changing. New western drugs were being developed and the less formal tinctures and recipe-like medications were falling out of favor. It was at this time that Harry J. Anslinger started getting involved. Bleh. He served as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) and was a supporter of prohibition and the criminalization of drugs He played a pivotal role in cannabis prohibition.  BOOOOO Harry!!! He wrote the Tax Act of 1937 – THIS did not outlaw Marijuana, rather TAXED distribution and manufacturing of the plant. $$$$$$$ !!  Along came WWII and not much happened to the marijuana laws (which were pretty scattered) until about 1970.  Enter President Nixon – in an attempt to overhaul the country’s drug laws a new LAW called the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act was developed and made Marijuana a Schedule ONE drug at that time. Argh!!!!  THIS law regulates marijuana to THIS day. Because there were senators that actually questioned whether or not it should be listed with heroin and LSD, the administration established the Shafer Commission to investigate and study marijuana so that they could recommend a more appropriate Scheduling. The report that came out in 1972 recommended that it NOT be listed as schedule 1 AND that it be decriminalized entirely. However, the Nixon administration ignored those recommendations. At least studies were now being documented. Research was discovering and documenting the potential use of cannabis as treatment for glaucoma and chemotherapy side effects. 

In 1975, Robert C. Randall, a young college professor was arrested for growing marijuana on his deck. He had discovered on his own, that it was helping his glaucoma. At that time he began working with the Federal researchers to prove that marijuana did indeed help his medical condition and they built a defense that was inarguable. The charges were dropped and the courts ‘allowed’ him to use it legally. This made him a SUPER STAR!!! YAY Robert!! Robert became a huge advocate for medical marijuana and a thorn in the federal government’s side. At one point, they cut off his supply, so he took them to court! And WON. This eventually translated into the Compassionate IND Program that would help others to use marijuana medically. In 1980 the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics was founded. People are starting to join forces here. They fought to get cannabis rescheduled between 1986 and 1988 and Judge Young FINALLY stated that ‘marijuana does have medical value and should be rescheduled’. BOOM. The DEA REJECTED his rulings, calling those that supported this cause, ‘snake oil salesmen’. Bleh. The government eventually closed the Compassionate IND program in 1992 after hearing from thousands of AIDS patients requesting permission to use medical marijuana for symptoms. Oh the pressure! It was too much! The public was outraged. THIS, however directly led to changes in the electoral processes, such as Prop 215 (San Francisco). California, at the forefront of this war, began enacting laws recognizing medical uses of marijuana.

Meanwhile, Dr. Raphael Mechaoulam of Israel was busy discovering The Endocannabinoid System in 1992, contributing GREATLY to the cause. Way to GO, Raphael!! This finding has forever, changed the path of the research of cannabis. We will talk more about the ECS  very soon !! Are you on the EDGE of your seat?!?!?!!?

 

My relationship and experience with cannabis is bleak. Although I was around people that smoked marijuana in high school, it was just never my thing. Instead I thought it was more fun to binge drink beer until I almost passed out. Not the brightest kid, I’ll admit!  I do not endorse or believe that daily recreational marijuana smoking (with high levels of THC) is GOOD for you and I cannot speak to its long term effects on your body, but I do believe (ADAMANTLY) that it’s not any worse than cigarettes, alcohol or opioids which many people seem quite content to hide behind, while they point the finger. It is baffling to me why cannabis is illegal, while these other, much more ADDICTIVE substances are legal. It’s painful to think that people have actually spent time in prison for even being involved with marijuana. It’s a plant.

I do not use any part of the cannabis plant at this time, primarily because I have no ailments I wish to treat. At this point I’m just one of millions trying to keep this aging body healthy with diet and exercise.  I am also restricted from using cannabis as I am a licensed nurse and paramedic. Sadly, I have seen people lose their jobs for testing positive for THC.  All this said if I am diagnosed with cancer, you can count on me throwing my job out the window to do what I believe is best for my body and soul.

It’s a strange hypocritical feeling to recommend CBD, with and without THC (or other cannabinoids) to my dearest friends and family. I trust the efficacy and safety of this plant with everything I have. I just don’t happen to need it at the moment. My husband is in a similar situation. He suffers from pretty severe insomnia and knows that he would benefit from cannabis products, but is fearful of a drug test that could end his job in a heartbeat. The laws need to change. I am actually quite envious at times of the people that have jobs that, I don’t know…… don’t interfere with the way they LIVE their LIFE!!!! Ugh.  I am not encouraged that the laws will change in our favor during this administration, but we must keep exploring and fighting a good fight. If we even survive the next four years – maybe our future lawmakers can put their prejudices aside long enough to hear some good truth (I’m talking to you, Jeff Sessions). Oh – and yes, I see the irony in what I just said. Looks like I have my own pretension to work on – ha!! I come with a multitude of shortcomings, people.

I am SO impressed with the many physicians and nurses I have met that are working solely with cannabis! To me, they are the bravest of all warriors. I can’t even imagine the push back they deal with on a daily basis, forever trying to justify their philosophy to skeptical peers that have never entertained such thoughts. It is my experience that physicians in general, are crazy restricted by the burden of proof. They want to see the research! Well why the hell would they not?? They have unimaginable pressure to do right by their patients, maintain a license and not break the law! Sadly, it is difficult to perform research studies when the drug being tested is illegal! Not to mention the fact that there is NO federal grant money for such research. I will do my best to present to you every study I DO come across. Many are from Israel and many are simply anecdotal information, but it is compelling to say the least! Good stuff. I really don’t think this large number of health care professionals would put their reputation on the line if they didn’t believe wholeheartedly in the therapy they are prescribing to thousands of patients every day. I have the greatest of respect for you, cannabis pioneers!! Thank you!!!!!

 

 

Hi!!!!! My name is Suzannah. These are my kids – LoKi and Juno. Two, 7 year old Newfie Mixes that I inherited at the age of 6 months. This is how they looked when I brought them home. It’s been a wild ride living with these two! Completely codependent on each other, I have always thought of them as one big fluffy unit. Not to be separated. Ever. The plan was for them to die in their sleep on the same night, curled up to one another. Maybe at age 14. That was the plan.

On November 16, 2016 – I noticed that LoKi lost interest in her food. Huge red flag for this little food goblin. I assumed something was wrong with her teeth and took her to the vet. At that point, the vet said that her lymph nodes were swollen and that we would have to do further testing. My heart began migrating towards my stomach that day. Possible Lymphoma? Nope. No fucking way. This girl is an ATHLETE. She runs, swims, jumps and can catch a ball like nobody’s business. She knows the names of at least 5 different toys (which means she totally understands English). I just couldn’t wrap my brain around it. Why?!?!?!?!

Fast forward 2 weeks, she has been diagnosed with T-cell Lymphoma and has made a couple of trips to Colorado State University Animal Hospital to investigate our ‘options’. Without treatment…. 2-3 months. With 15 weeks of chemo….. a few more months???? Nobody could say, as T-cell is the deadliest of the lymphoma subtypes and rarely responds to chemo. What to do?? Put our baby through an expensive, arduous protocol so that we don’t have to hurt for a few more months??? It didn’t seem fair. Over the next few weeks my husband and I discussed the options, cried every day and got in touch with our spiritual side. I had days when I wailed, begged and pleaded with whatever god that would listen, not to take my little girl. I’m pretty sure that’s the bargaining phase of LOSS.

For the immediate time being, Mark and I decided that we needed to do something about her anorexia as she had lost 15 lbs without us even noticing (she’s crazy furry). I had heard something about cannabis helping with nausea and appetite, so I started researching. Mark took his first trip to the local dispensary, which happened to be across the street from his federal job. It was a bit stressful taking that step, but our kid was in need. He talked to the ‘budtender’ and by some miracle managed to come home with some CBD oil made by Mary’s Medicinals. We started giving her 2-3 drops at breakfast about the same time that we started her on Prednisone. To much relief, she started to eat again.

The next few months were filled with prednisone, CBD and a few single chemo drug options that we were hoping might help SOME, without causing her to feel like crap. We felt extremely fortunate that everything we tried was completely free of any side effects. No nausea, bowel issues, lethargy, hair loss, etc. I TOTALLY attribute this to the CBD and her super bad ass personality. With every card played, I held my breath, not that she would be cured, but that she would not GET sick. So far, so good! We are at FIVE months now, and she is running around like a puppy on the tiniest dose of prednisone (5 mg) and CBD. We give her 3 drops in the am and 3 drops in the evening.

I meditate often on the time we have had with her and am nauseatingly grateful for each and every day. I am finally appreciative that she is not in pain and that if she has to die at 7…….. it will have been a good life. She sure as hell doesn’t know what cancer is and I don’t want to ruin her remaining time by crying every damn day. I hope I am ready like I think I am. Only time will tell.

ANY hoozle, THIS is when my complete OBSESSION with cannabis started. You can find endless videos on youtube about dogs and their miracle cannabis stories. Many who have gone into remission after receiving a devastating diagnosis such as ours. I don’t foster any delusion that LoKi is going to beat the T Dragon for years to come, but am just happy that she has not had ONE ‘sick’ day since that awful first week in November. I promised that I would protect her that first day I brought her home to live with us. I promised her that she would never be in pain under my watch. No matter HOW much my heart would ache – I would never allow her to suffer.

So on the days when I stopped crying long enough to go into FULL ON cancer fighting warrior mama bear mode, I researched. I started with www.projectcbd.org. THEN, I read every single article I could find on every condition I could think of. Parkinson’ Disease, Cancer, Epilepsy, Autism, Chrons, TBI, opioid addiction, neuropathic pain, Diabetes, MS, etc.  I noticed right away that the studies were much more prevalent in Israel and Germany. I noticed that our lack of research was painfully scarce. The anecdotal information, on the other hand was never ending AND compelling to say the least. The number of healthcare and science professionals ALREADY deep in the game was incredible! I was hooked!!

So begins our journey. I will do my best to catalog articles, treatment strategies and research studies in a way that can help educate both you and myself. If my passion for better health and quality of life, along with my nursing experience can be of help to any one person than I guess my goal will have been achieved. There is a lot of great information, a lot of misconceptions, a huge national discussion, political roadblocks to overcome and oooohhhhhh sooooo many people to bring up to speed. DIVING. IN.