For those of you who aren’t into cannabis and are inclined to skip this post because you want to read more about aging badass and other fun retirement topics, WAIT! Please hang around for a minute or two, because cannabis may help you in ways you never thought possible.
As I was saying, I had no interest in marijuana until I read an article about Kikoko cannabis-infused tea. Kikoko caters to women who probably haven’t even thought about marijuana or how it might help them with middle-age maladies, and they certainly don’t want to smoke or get super stoned.
I had just retired and was still experiencing post-mastectomy pain from my 2015 procedure. Let’s just say, it hurts like hell when they amputate your breasts and remove lymph nodes, and for some of us, there’s long-term burning pain where they cut into the nerves.
Shortly after I read the article, I went online to HelloMD and got a medical marijuana card. I live in California, but HelloMD also helps with medical marijuana cards for other states where it’s legal. HelloMD was inexpensive and easy. I had a Skype-like interview with a doctor, who was incredibly well-informed about edibles and other new products in the maze of medical marijuana. You don’t have to smoke it, and you don’t have to get high.
There are tons of online resources for explaining cannabis and its medical benefits. Kikoko’s Proof section is excellent. The articles on HelloMD are also fantastic – I subscribe to their newsletter. I’m just learning about all this myself, so I’ll share the most rudimentary explanation.
- Cannabinoids are parts of the cannabis plant that interact with receptors in our bodies.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is psychoactive, and it’s the cannabinoid that gets you high.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) has no psychoactive effects but can be a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and sleep aid.
- Today’s marijuana strains are typically loaded with THC and not at all like the pot you may have smoked in high school. Let’s just say it’s a lot easier to get wasted these days.
- Low-dose cannabis – even with modest amounts of THC – won’t get you crazy high and can help with a cornucopia of ailments.
Since I list myself among those with a cornucopia of ailments, I signed up at Kikoko and provided them with my medical marijuana documents. My first purchase was Sympa-Tea, which is mostly CBD with a hint of THC. I was so excited when it was delivered to my doorstep. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and I was at home with no place to go. No driving for sure!
First of all, the tea is delicious. It’s all natural with hints of orange and ginger. I added a little honey. After about 30 minutes, I could feel the corners of my lips cracking into a slight smile. That’s it for feeling stoned! But the happy vibe lasted for hours, and I had a great day. Here’s what I wrote to the company later in the evening:
“I received my tea today, and I made a cup of the Sympa-Tea. I am a 62-year-old two-time cancer survivor with post-mastectomy pain. I just had the best day. Such a pleasant little buzz but not really a buzz – just a feeling of wellness. I made soup, homemade marshmallows, I walked. I could feel pain but it was secondary to feeling great. I am so excited about this product.”
Some of us call this style of consuming cannabis microdosing. That’s my strategy, and continued microdosing has further eradicated the pain. Here’s the weird part – I’ve never thought of myself as depressed, but I’m a worry wart, so I guess that’s anxiety and perhaps a form of low-level depression. Regularly microdosing cannabis by drinking this tea and using other products I will talk about later – I am a happier and calmer person. Like, is this how I was supposed to feel all these years?
Better late than never.
California legalized recreational marijuana Jan. 1, and with that came a boatload of new regulations, so the process for purchasing Kikoko has changed. Their website lists dispensaries in California that deliver state-wide. I like home delivery and have yet to set foot in an actual dispensary.
If you don’t live in California, but you do have access to medical marijuana, there’s still hope. I’m no Walter White, but I have been able to somewhat replicate the effects of the tea with homemade tincture. I’ll save that for a future post. Oh, and the amazing sleep tea. So many stories to share!