I am a Registered Nurse with many years experience across a broad range of nursing areas both city rural regional and remote. I have speciality training in Lymphoedema and Lipoedema Management and I have completed a Diploma in Remedial Massage, now specialising in the holistic care of People living with a diagnosis of Cancer. Throughout my career I have come across patients desperate for some rel
ief from their chronic pain and inflammation and not finding relief from medications prescribed by their doctors and also experienced dreadful side effects from these medications. Often in desperation they seek out cannabis after hearing of it's benefits and of success stories. Some patients going to great lengths and legal risk to obtain the cannabis products not really knowing where it was grown, what was in it , pesticides other contaminates, what strength it was and what cannabinoids were in it. It was because of this that I decided to learn all that was on offer about the endocannabinoid system ( a system that we all have within us ). An amazing system that regulates almost every process that goes on in our body, a system that keeps us in balance and functioning at our best. This system can become disturbed and unbalanced leading to poor health , chronic poor health and inflammation. I then began a journey of discovery into Cannabis and the amazing attributes of this humble but powerful plant. It's not about getting high as a kite ( that is just one group of society that are seeking that outcome, and each to their own....no judgement here!) THC and CBD are the two most recognized cannabinoids however research has found between 80 to 100 other cannabinoids as well as 300 non Cannabinoid chemicals like Terpenes . Terpenes are the compounds responsible for a plant's scent and flavor. Unlike other botanical species, each strain of cannabis has a unique terpene profile. Terpenes and cannabinoids work together to develop a strain's particular flavor and resulting effect, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. THC-containing medicinal products may be used to combat:
pain
muscle spasticity, such as in patients with multiple sclerosis
glaucoma
sleep problems, such as in patients with fibromyalgia, sleep apnoea and chronic pain
low appetite
nausea and vomiting, particularly in chemotherapy patients
anxiety. Meanwhile, CBD-based products can be employed against:
seizures
inflammation
pain
psychosis
nausea and vomiting, particularly in chemotherapy patients. My reason for training to be a Nurse Cannabis Consultant was to Bridge the gap between the patient wanting to include medicinal cannabis in their health plan and their GP who is able to prescribe it. To also raise awareness and decrease the stigma surrounding Medicinal cannabis and to bring this humble yet powerful ancient plant from the dark into the light once more.
