Residents Get Crash Course on Benefits of CBD
“Start low, go slow.” That was the advice given to several dozen residents who came out to two lectures this week about cannabis and its two key components, CBD and THC. Lecturer Nancy-Anne Rose explained that the phrase means to start with a very low dose and patiently wait to see how you react.
“Everyone is going to react differently,” said Nancy-Anne, who works with cannabis producer Boaz Pharmaceuticals in Calgary, and also instructs a cannabis technicians course at Mount Royal University. MRU, a United partner, provides residents with a variety of educational discussions throughout the year.
“The over-65 age group is one of the fastest growing demographics for cannabis use in Canada, more for medicinal use than recreational, but there’s some of that as well,” said Nancy-Anne.
Residents were curious about the benefits they might receive from trying it, while several others had tried it but found no benefit in their situations.
In her discussion, Nancy-Anne covered CBD oils, creams and edibles, which have just become legal in Canada. She noted that cannabis containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient that gets you “high”, is used mainly for pain, sleep issues and loss of appetite, while the CBD component is non-psychoactive and is showing promise for treating inflammation, anxiety and tremors.
One woman in the crowd explained that her daughter, who has had epileptic seizures all of her life, has stopped using some pharmaceuticals thanks to the benefits she is getting from CBD oils. There has been a reduction in seizures and a 100% improvement in her quality of life. Another said he tried it for his pain, but it didn’t seem to work, so he stopped using it.
“CBD oils and other forms of cannabis can be a good complement to medications residents are taking, but to determine whether taking cannabis is a good fit, it’s always best to check with your doctor first,” cautions Nancy-Anne. “You don’t want any adverse reactions. If you do start taking cannabis, it’s best to start low and go slow.”
Some residents who attended had not considered Cannabis before, and picked up contact sheets for clinics and doctors who support using cannabis.
Residents are free to choose their health care options, and United’s nursing staff is there to support and assist where needed. “We support the medical choices of our residents,” said Nikki Bonsall, director of health and wellness. “Our focus is on the resident as a person. We follow a social model of care, which means the resident is the expert in their wellness. We focus on their strengths not their medical conditions, and the resident tells us how they want to live. Our philosophy focuses on enjoying an active, creative life supported by a highly educated staff that are trained to see the resident as a unique individual.”
Photos and videos by Sherana Productions.
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