Hydrolife Magazine December/January 2017 (USA Edition)

heal
Herbal
ASK A NURSE: TIPS FOR THE HEART
Q
Dear Nurse Jessica,
I heard that cannabis can prevent heart attacks. Is this true? And is there any evidence to
prove it? Could you explain exactly how cannabis works to prevent heart disease?
Thanks,
Tonia
Dear Tonia,
A
Thank you for writing
me and keeping
me on my toes for
evidence-based
opinion. Information
is one thing, but in general
medicine, it can come across as a
little hippy dippy without studies
to solidify the facts.
The truth is, though, we need
more studies to prove what people
know intuitively about cannabis
and countless patient profiles
continue to identify. Until then,
there are some things in life that
can only be guided by the heart
and followed by the trusted self.
To me, with the right patient, cannabis
is a teacher plant who calls
to those who listen.
There are so many different factors
that play into quality heart
health for me. The core ones are
nutrition and hydration, enjoyable
physical activity, expanded consciousness,
and cannabis use, both
medically and recreationally.
When cannabis is utilized with
precision, and the intake methods
are diversified, this plant has
the ability to heal, inspire, relax,
ignite, and optimize heart health.
Now, this being said, I’m not
saying hit the bong all day and
rock a bag of chips for dinner.
This medicine must be treated like
a goddess. You must understand
how to approach her and
recognize there is comfort in ritual,
but ignition in diversity. Also, you
can only be as healthy as what
you put in your mouth, drop under
your tongue, vaporize in your
device, roll in your paper, apply
with infused lotions, or insert
where necessary and ingest.
Growing cannabis is also an
essential component to a healthy
heart. Getting close to your
medicine and seeing it flourish
can bring an incredible sense of
self-sufficiency and deep healing.
I feel blessed when my patients
open up to me about growing.
Like children at Christmas, their
eyes radiate and the ailments we
were discussing before seem light
years away. These truths cannot
be put into pills.
Your question is best supported
by one of my go-to indexes, The
Cannabis Health Index by Uwe
Blesching, PhD. In this text,
Blesching quotes a few studies,
suggests cannabis particulars,
provides affirmations, and sheds
metaphysical light on the heart
with nutrition and lifestyle.
One of Blesching’s quoted referrals
was from Brazil in 2009. They
explained that “CBD calms the autonomic
responses to stress, such
as rapid heart rates, by engaging
receptors that select serotonin to
achieve a calming effect.” Another
was from New Zealand in
2007, when a team reviewed the
influence of cannabinoids and the
heart. This study unveiled that
cannabinoids positively influence
“vasodilation, cardiac protection,
modulation of the baroreceptor
reflex in the control of systolic
blood pressure, and inhibition of
endothelial inflammation and the
progress of atherosclerosis.” Take
some time to read through these
two studies in the index; I think
you’ll enjoy them.
Lifestyle and consciousness
are at the center of our wellness,
Tonia. Prevention of heart disease
can be assisted by expressing our
emotions and asking ourselves the
tough questions that keep popping
up. It’s hiding from the kids to puff
a little so you can actually enjoy
them without screaming or feeling
filled with guilt or anger. Ganja
brings lightness to a heavy layer
of concrete and chemicals. She
reminds us that a healthy heart is
a liberated one. One who knows
what works for oneself and can
articulate boundaries in a loving
way. The more ganja I let in, the
more gentleness I express to
myself and those around me.
May you walk from the center of
your being and allow your heart
to guide your deepest bonds,
self-love, altruism, and truth.
Although I like to chirp, my
advice cannot be substituted for
your physician’s recommendations
or treatment plan. My hope is that
there was something here you
resonated with.
Nurse Jessica
Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered
practical nurse, brings a unique
approach to care, empowering patients
as a medicinal cannabis nurse
and horses for healing advocate.
Do you have a question for Jessica?
Email editor@myhydrolife.com.
48
grow. heal. live. enjoy.
myhydrolife.com