How it Heals
There is a gentleness to the cannabis plant we can feel in her infancy . Colorado Department of Veterans Affairs ran a study a few years back giving Veterans with PTSD a few patio plants . The soldiers all started reporting stress reduction when the plants were only about 10 inches high . Why is cannabis so effective in comforting us when grief overstays its welcome ?
To incorporate cannabis for grief into patient teaching to someone who has never used cannabis , we need to know a little about the science behind why this amazing plant works so well for grief . For the science , I turned once again to Missouri ’ s own Dr . Tiffanie Jones , adjunct professor in Cannabis Science at St . Louis University , to find out why the plant is such a comfort . Turns out there is a lot of science involved in cannabis and grief . Long science short , CB 1 receptors help regulate a multitude of wacky doodle hormone fluctuations that come with grief . CBD is especially helpful . Just learning that my hormonal mood swings are most likely grief-induced was incredibly enlightening .
Dr . Jones sent a list of six additional herbs for grief to go along with cannabis . 1 . Hawthorn helps the actual heart with broken heart syndrome . 2 . Rose inspires self-love and has been described as the healer of ancient wounds . 3 . Motherwort supports the nervous system . 4 . Linden leaves and flowers are a protective , comforting , and magical guide through times of grief .
5 . Mimosa brings a feeling of peace and well-being . ( I have a mimosa tree in my backyard . Next summer , I will definitely be harvesting those flowers !)
6 . Tulsi or Holy Basil is revered throughout India for its physical and spiritual properties of overcoming feelings of hopelessness and helplessness . We should all have one of these on the coffee table for the news hour .
I hope over the coming months , those in education , healthcare , and dispensaries will include grief and loss in their conversations . With 650,000 plus lost to COVID and another 650,000 plus to opioids , we can ’ t turn a corner today in any direction without running into someone who is hurting bad .
The science behind the way the cannabis plant and these other herbs work is fascinating , and I promise we will bring it to our readers in a future issue . In the meantime , let the grieving know the plant can help . May we all come together and find comfort in cannabis together .
Dolores Montgomery Halbin , RN , BSN , and Ordained Nurse Minister resides in SW Missouri . After her husband passed in 2015 , she retired from nursing . She worked with the 2014-2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana . She continues as a cannabis reform activist volunteering with Canna Convict Project and working toward Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism . Dolores Halbin ,
doloreshalbin @ gmail . com .