Getting older is a pleasure and a curse. On one hand, I’m thankful to be here, and actually, I’m having a pretty great time. On the other hand, it sucks to see yourself next to these fresh-faced millennials with their shiny thick hair and teeth that grew up on floss and Fluoride.
But that’s OK. My secret is to care less about how I look and more about how I feel. Please don’t get me wrong. I try to dress well and all that, but feeling wonderful totally surpasses wearing some snazzy new outfit every day.
Pain, stress, insomnia and anxiety can all impact our ability to feel wonderful as we age. I originally started using cannabis for pain, but as it happened, small doses relieved my anxiety, helped me sleep better and left me feeling happier than I knew was possible. I am amazed – is this how I was supposed to feel all along?
My go-to product is cannabis tincture, which is an alcohol-based extract. Tincture as medicine goes way back. Anecdotally, cannabis tincture or elixir was prescribed to Queen Victoria to relieve menstrual cramps. According to Joe Dolce, in his book Brave New Weed: Adventures into the Uncharted World of Cannabis, even the big drug companies used to sell it. Until the early 1900s, cannabis tincture was the primary form of pain killer in the United States. About that time, anti-marijuana prohibitions screwed the pooch on all that.
Happily, tincture is back and thriving where medical and recreational marijuana is legal. It’s perfect for people who can’t or don’t want to smoke it. My suggestion is to buy a bottle for around $40 at a dispensary. Tincture is made from all kinds of cannabis strains – if you’re not after the big high, look for something with CBD – the cannabinoid that has no psychoactive effects but can be a powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant and sleep aid.
You can put the liquid under your tongue, and that’s a fast way to feel the effects, but it’s not much fun. Also, tincture can be made with vegetable glycerin or alcohol. Alcohol-based tincture burns like hell unless you mix it with something, such as a beverage. That’s what I do, and I feel the effects within 30 minutes.
Always go slow. Try three individual drops – not dropperfuls! To gauge effectiveness, I wait to see if I have a pleasant feeling and possibly a hint of a smile. If you don’t feel anything, gradually increase your dose until you reach the sweet spot.
My daily dose turned out to be one dropperful in a little juice shooter with breakfast. Doing this every day helped relieve my post-mastectomy pain and just overall makes me feel better … certainly less wired, as I tend to be. My husband says I am easier to live with, so that ought to account for something.
Even more good news – tincture is a whiz to make yourself – and way cheaper. My husband calls me Mr. White, but all jokes aside, cannabis is legal where I live, and tincture is safe and easy to make. Because I am an aging foodie, I add it to a delicious Meyer lemon and ginger juice I make myself, and it’s just a healthy and yummy way to start the day. I will let you know how to make tincture at home and share other recipes in future posts!
If you still have doubts about cannabis being safe and effective medicine , I encourage you to read up. Mr. Dolce’s book is an excellent start. Personally, I don’t want to grow old without a little cannabis in my life.