CANNAHEALTH The Power of Cannabidiol | Page 37

M: Let’s talk about cannabis. When did you start switching from pharmaceuticals to cannabis?

C: A friend brought me some Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). I’ve been smoking cannabis for thirty years, so he suggested I give it a try. This was three years ago. RSO caused a Herxheimer reaction after three months. It also completely cleared my liver function to normal.

I have to tell you, my doctor wanted me to quit marijuana or she wouldn’t treat me any longer. I was in a Lyme remission, and I didn’t want to stop working with her. So I quit which caused a full relapse of Lyme symptoms. It caused seizures too. So I went back on the marijuana. My symptoms subsided. And now my doctor has me talk to other Lyme patients about marijuana!

M: That’s a sign of a good doctor! She’s learning from you. Good, I’m glad she’s in your corner. What would you like people to know about cannabis in regards to treating Lyme disease?

C: Cannabis kicks Lyme to the curb. It’s one of the strongest antibiotics in the world. Nature provides it. It has to get into the body to fight Lyme. I always tell people that they have to eat it. I make coconut oil with it. I freeze it and break off small pieces of it. I add it into food. You have to keep (a concentration) of cannabis in

your body for it to be effective. Your cells have to be saturated.

M: Has cannabis helped you with any other symptoms?

C: I feel that I would be dead if I continued to take antibiotics. Cannabis has also helped me to reverse diabetes, it completely (resolved neuropathy.) It reduces the swelling that happens during a Herxheimer reaction. I have not had a cold or illness in three years. And I feel like it’s opened pathways in my brain. I feel like cannabis has increased my intelligence. I feel like it’s helping me prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

M: Okay Celeste, thank you for your time today. I really appreciate it. Is there anything else you would like people to know about Lyme disease or cannabis or both?

C: Yes, Lyme patients are at risk for committing suicide because of the severe symptoms. Having brain fog, being shaky, dealing with massive pain, stiffness. Your depth perception is altered, it feels like you’re underwater, you feel detached. If your doctor doesn’t believe in Lyme, advocate for yourself. Don’t be afraid to change doctors. If I could go back in time, I would use cannabis immediately. Anyone who is struggling with Lyme disease should try cannabis.

M: I fully agree Celeste. Thank you so much for taking this time to speak with me. I really appreciate it.

C: Thank you. -Marissa Fratoni

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