Medical Cannabis

I posted a link to my blog post  'Scanxiety and Medical Cannabis' on a few other Facebook pages for either brain tumour or traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients last year. I was astonished with the sheer amount of others who openly admitted there that the also used medical cannabis for their brain injury.

 

Why is it not openly spoken about that cannabis is helping

 brain injury patients?

I actually copied down four A4 pages from just the comments! (excluding any names)

Here are a few of the replies:

"I swear my cannabis has worked wonders for me. I have taken no prescription drugs, only self medicate with smoke. Great for depression, anxiety, pains overall, keeps me on a normal level - but most won't understand a brain injury and just think we are druggies😐"

"Totally agree, I hate taking prescription drugs and not a massive drinker. I’m not ashamed of how it massively helped me. I used a vape version along with more CBD drops for most of before and after my treatment, it helped with my nausea and anxiety! It also helped switch my brain off so I could sleep!"

"I agree! I would recommend the vape pen version!, I’ve tried many edible versions but because they take a few hours to properly get into your system, its hard to judge how much you need, I much prefer my vape pen as its a more instant relief, especially when my anxiety is high or I'm too overwhelmed! I really only micro dose with it as I dont use it to get ‘high’ and I just take 1 or 2 puffs and instantly my head stops being frantic, (A vape also means I can take it out with me and no one is the wiser 🤷🏼‍️)"

"I made sure I spoke with my neuro team quite openly about it and of course they are not at liberty to say to use it but they had no reservations about it!"

"I never used to use it before my ‘terry’ appeared and I made sure I did my research before hand 👍🏻👍🏻
If speaking out about using it can help someone else with crippling anxiety and PTSD then its totally worth it! Thank you Jo for talking so openly about it!! 💕💕"

"I use cannabis regularly and while I have no medical proof to share, I am 4 years living with a GBM4 where my prognosis was originally 15 months. I believe there was a big study in Madrid University on the subject, google that for more info."

"I take the CBD form of cannabis. I take no meds for my brain tumour and I do believe that its helps to keep it stable. No shame to taking it as I do believe or works. Irrespective to other think if you feel it does something for you then do it."

"I agree with this, but I would suggest to start slowly... Think 'micro-dose', until you find your level."

"I take CBD and it has kept my tumour stable since starting to take it."

"I use cannabis for the migraines that no pain med can touch. It usually clears it up fast."

"Yes, it's the cure 💚 that and magic mushrooms 🙏💐 it repaired my brain damage from being unable to work or even hold a conversation to applying as a background extra in a Hollywood movie (and I got the part!😍) I would recommend cannabis in any form to anyone 💚"

"I smoke some every night to get out of pain and to sleep. It is a God given miracle herb."

 "Use it nightly. Have been for past 20yrs."

"THC with CBD helps my severe seizures tremendously. Nothing else works as well."

"I use it twice a day and do pretty well...( Sometimes more). It just depends on what your need is. For some people it does not take much at all. For me I have mental health and pain management issues. But I can tell you I have not had a migraine in two years."

"Cannabis is my primary source of medication, and has been for 11 years."

"Edibles are the ONLY thing that helps me sleep."

"I’m in NY and have my medical card.... life saver for pain and sleep."

"My dad is a massive stroke survivor, he gets his to avoid a seizure. It also helps the awful pain he gets in his “bad” side."

"I use it all day everyday. Helps with the all over body pain and with the anxiety I have every day."

"I have had my medical card since 2014. Best thing to happen."

"I used to drink alcohol a lot before my TBI but since I got hurt I dont drink anymore. My doctor's told me to stay away from booze because its not good for brain injury rehabilitation. I do use cannabis medically. I used to use it to just get hi before my TBI but now I use it instead of taking the pharmaceuticals the doctors were trying to get me hooked on."

"There are two types, Sativa and Indica. Both with vastly different outcomes. Before you invest heavily, you will need to try different varieties that are prescribed to you. My mom needs Indica for her stroke injury and husband needs Sativa for his bike accident coma 35 years ago.  I use CBD pain cream for my bad knees, but I work for the state, so THC is a no-go. I love the CBD!"

"I use cannabis daily. My brain injury caused seizures and I'm still trying to stop the seizures and I'm trying to find the best strain for that."

 "I use high THC-V strains, helps with energy and focus."

"I use both CBD and a THC. I use indica for sleep or during a migraine to help me relax. CBD is a life changer....better than any other pain meds I have ever been given.2

"I use it daily. Helps to ground my flighty brain."

"🙋🏼‍daily user here.

Yes! high CBD low THC tinctures. 4 drops under the tongue. Highly recommend for settling/silencing body and mind for a full night's sleep. I especially love the fact that I can have a glass of wine with dinner and not worry about interaction if I find I can't get to sleep. Truthfully, it's a game changer."

"Yes, it's the only thing that makes my headaches go away."

"I have honestly, I find it brilliant for when I get really anxious or have bad symptoms, has to be done in moderation though as it can make me feel worse."

"I’m taking capsules best thing even if it’s for a decent sleep xx"

"I swear by it the THC and CBD oils x"

 

 

Planted in a raised bed in Ground

This book Medical Cannabis was also really helpful in reassuring me cannabis was safe to try, and I will look at these other books recommended in their further reading - The Cannabis Encyclopedia and The Cannabis Grow Bible, when I need to find more information on growing.

                

£30 = enough plants to last all year.

 

 

 

        If you are interested in growing your own... 

        Cannabis seeds are available from Seedsman where 

        you can search under various medical conditions 

        and what type of seeds you want. 

       They need to be brought soon if in the UK as to

        grow outside they need to be planted around April.

 

 

 

If you have ever grown vegetable plants and have a vague knowledge of growing, then planting the seeds in a tray on windowsill and moving outside (covered from slugs) when a few inches tall outside worked fine. I grew mine alongside my tomato plant seedlings!

 

You then need a tall greenhouse for when they move outside (that you may have to raise up even more as they grow TALL) and either very big plant pots or an area in the ground. I used a raised flower bed, filled with tomato compost on top off the garden soil. (as you can see above) Make sure you only fertilize them with edible plant foods, and keep them covered from slugs until they are about a foot tall, then they are pretty resilient. Just make sure you undo the greenhouse cover when your neighbours aren't around!!

 

Seedsman have plants both with and without THC (the part that makes you high) and CBD, they also have various conditions are listed under 'medical seeds', you can then chose if you want a low or high THC amount.

I personally stopped using just the THC plant after my nightmare episode I wrote about here. Once I stopped taking it (and I didn't ever take enough to make me feel high, except this one disastrous occasion) I also felt my anxiety reduced (although this could have been as I had my scan etc) so I totally stopped taking any THC plant for months. In February I did try adding a small amount in with my high CBD mix, but did not notice any benefits, in fact when I stopped I felt my anxiety reduce again. So I dont think my body tolerates the THC well.

Last year I ordered these Dinamed CBD plus which grew really well, but this year they were not in stock so I am trying Queen CBD 20:1 which suited many of the reasons I chose to take them including Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, PTSD and Stress. I will see how these grow this year!

I know that growing the plants is illegal in the UK, but my GP knows about it and says she could probably get me a medical cannabis prescription, but personally I'd rather use a plant that I have grown than a pharmaceutical type product any day... I know exactly whats in it and trust a plant more than a drug company. 

I am not taking it to get high, and have a far different reason to how many use it. In my eyes if the legal drug - alcohol - is available to all, so should cannabis. I fully believe if enough people start growing their own for medical reasons we can stop the criminalisation and make it a valid treatment for many. You can also chose to buy a CanCard if you want the extra reassurance.  

If all these brain injury patients above recommend it, then it should be available to all - a years supply for the price of 3 seeds, some compost and a greenhouse. 🌱

 

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