Monday, January 1, 2018

Bring it On


Happy New Year, stalwart Readers!

It's as good a day as any to post a couple photos of Sophie, the source, the inspiration, for so much of my years, my art, my life.

I hesitate -- as always -- to jinx it, for isn't it the height of egotism to imagine that we have any hand beyond the obvious in the course of events even as we emphatically insist that we do?

Sophie is well. She hasn't had any seizures to speak of since we got back from the hospital. She's incredibly alert and responsive, although she still can't walk well and has lost a lot of her motor (both fine and gross) planning abilities. There's no miracle here, I don't imagine, or even conspiracies of the gods. There is the reduction of Onfi that I began again the day after we got back from the hospital, and a resolve on my part that is quite literally pulled up out of the deepest and darkest recesses of my being where fear masks mystery. There is the addition of CBDA that Dr. Bonni suggested* when I appealed to her to help, again. And again she helped and I leapt into the unknown and it seems that Sophie is responding to the cannabinoid.

What is CBDA? Cannabidiolic acid is a chemical compound found in the resin glands, or trichomes, of raw cannabis plants. "Raw" means unheated and untreated. It is fresh flower and leaves taken directly from the plant. It's the precursor to CBD. Sophie takes it in tincture form, a tiny, tiny amount, along with the CBD and ACDC that is part of her daily cannabis medicine regime.

This is what Dr. Bonni told me:

There are only a few studies of CBDA and of course none in humans (seriously, this has got to change), but it appears to be a "key" for the 5-HT1A receptor, one of our serotonin receptors. Studies show potent anti-inflammatory effects by blocking COX-2 enzyme that produces inflammatory compounds and anti-nausea/vomiting effects through 5-HT1A receptor. CBDA also blocked a certain breast cancer cell from migrating by blocking chemical signals sent by the cancer cells. Interestingly, the 5-HT1A receptor when stimulated can affect the vagus nerve. Maybe it is working for seizures as a natural vagal stimulator? Based on what we know 5-HT1A receptors do, CBDA as an activator of this receptor, should be anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, reduce fatigue, decrease appetite, decrease blood pressure and more -- maybe we all need to juice this plant with our kale!



I don't know about ya'll, but I'm going to consume less in 2018 and create more. I hope to be more patient with darkness, to not despair and be more grateful for light, not take it for granted because both are ephemeral.

Bring on 2018, Readers!

Happy New Year!












* If you haven't yet, order Dr. Bonni Goldstein's book Cannabis Revealed. It's an excellent resource for all things related to cannabis medicine. Disclosure: I get a small percentage of the proceeds as I helped Dr. Bonni with the stories of her patients.

16 comments:

  1. If a pharmaceutical company had created such a compound, it would be on every shelf.
    Dear god. What a miracle this could be.

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  2. Exactly what I was thinking, all the uses, all the benefits. How many of my medications could it replace? I am so glad that you and Sophie have such a source for wise medical counsel. Sophie seems to display a new strength in these photos.

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  3. So glad to hear Sophie is Well and responding favorably to the new treatment regimen... I love that first image of her, so candid. Happy New Year!

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  4. Sophie looks good. I'm thankful her seizures have diminished. Cannabis the wonder drug. It's done wonders for Miss Katie as well. Her hands have healed because she's not smashing them against her face.

    Happy New Year to you and yours!

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  5. You are remarkable pioneers.

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  6. As they say - "You go, girl!" to both you and Sophie.
    The best of this new year to you. Create, create, create!

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  7. Sophie's alertness is evident in those stunning photos. And thanks for the CBDA info. I'll begin chasing it up over here. Happy 2018 and please keep it a blogful year for all your avid readers.

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  8. Fantastic! Sophie looks great. Happy 2018.

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  9. Fantastic! Sophie looks great. Happy 2018.

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  10. Warms my heart to see Sophie's face in this new light.

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  11. Sophie's transformation is astounding and heartening. Something powerful is going on here. Warm wishes for this new year!

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  12. Consume less and create more -- I can't think of a better resolution, really.

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  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

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