Have you had “The Talk?” I


n the July issue, we touched on some of the lingering stigmas that medical cannabis patients face. In fact, many of our dispensary members tell us that they “just don’t talk about” their medical use of cannabis with their friends or family members. Every patient has the right to determine who knows what about their condition or treatments. But imagine feeling afraid to share with your friend that you are trying Reiki or acupuncture as a complementary therapy, for example. Healthy communication with those closest to us is benefi cial in and of itself. Here are some tips to make having The Talk easier for medical cannabis patients, and those who want to support them, but might feel confl icted about this particular therapy. • Plan for a conversation, not a conversion. Conversation is a


two-way street. Instead of insisting on a 180-degree change in their views, be content with an end result that simply includes more un- derstanding and an open channel of communication for the future. • Lead with your own experience. Share the improvements that cannabis brings to your life—pain relief? Ability to sleep through the night? Fewer pharmaceutical drugs? Better relationships with family and friends? • Listen. Your loved one will have questions; do your best to


answer them honestly and without becoming defensive. • Assure them that you are safe. Remember, your friends and family members have your best interests at heart, even if the way they are expressing it feels negative. Fortunately, you can assure them that you are making a legal, healthy, responsible choice: • Medical cannabis is legal in Maine. The federal government still views cannabis as illegal, but they have shown little appetite for prosecuting patients with serious illnesses who abide by the law. • You are physically safe. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, it is impossible to fatally overdose on cannabis. • Share some science. ASA’s condition-specifi c booklets, such as ‘Cancer & Medical Cannabis,’ are a great place to start. Find them at www.safeaccessnow.org. • Leave the door open for future conversations. Understanding and acceptance might take time; for now, thank your loved one for caring about you and being willing to learn. If you have questions about medical cannabis in Maine, visit


the Wellness Connection of Maine at www.mainewellness.org or email info@mainewellness.org. And be sure to look for our regular articles about medical cannabis in future issues of Essential Living Maine! See ad on page 13.


entire individual rather than just a person’s symptoms. From birth through adulthood, homeopathy offers non-drug solutions to com- plex health challenges. Homeopathy treats a broad spectrum of infant health concerns including colic, ear infections, and nursing and teething diffi culties. As children grow, homeopathy addresses separation anxiety, autism, nightmares, tantrums, developmental delays, and learning chal- lenges. Through the tumultuous teen years homeopathy cares for everything from athletic injuries to the emotional issues associated with becoming an adult. My fi rst introduction to homeopathy, and the motivation for me becoming a homeopath, came 26 years ago when my son devel- oped serious behavioral issues and sleeplessness after a reaction to vaccination. When myriad other approaches proved fruitless I learned about homeopathy. Since then I have helped hundreds of children with their health. One example of which is an eleven year- old boy whose health problem, bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis), prevented him from spending the night away from home. During our initial interview his most prominent characteristic was a long delay between my question and his answer. Of the hundreds of homeopathic remedies for enuresis in children I chose a remedy specifi c for comprehension diffi culties. A month later he was able to go to friends’ slumber parties and his performance in school skyrocketed. Homeopathy changed this boy’s life. It might also do the same for your child. To fi nd a homeopath near you visit www.homeopathyinmaine. com. Introductory books include: Everybody’s Guide to Homeo- pathic Medicine and Homeopathy for Infants and Children by Dana Ulmann; and, for parents of autistic children: Impossible Cure by Amy Lansky. Dr. Pollock has been practicing alternative healthcare includ- ing homeopathy and chiropractic in the Portland area for 30 years. www.innershores.com. Ph. 207-370-8330. See ad on page 9.


H


“Essential” NUGGETS


Homeopathy: A Comprehensive Approach to Children’s Healthcare


omeopathy is a comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare method that matches a potentized natural substance to the


High Intensity Exercise Needs High Quality Sleep A


ccording to a study from the University of Chicago Medical School, high quality sleep is critical to peak athletic performance. Tissue repair and recovery—both essential after high intensity exercise—are impaired following continued sleep deprivation, underscoring the need for a good night’s sleep every night. And a good night’s sleep depends on the number of hours you’re in bed, and the bed you’re in.


A body is designed to repair itself during sleep, but if a mattress is conventional—made of oil, polyester, and chemicals—it does battle with toxins and airborne vapors instead. Rest assured, there is another option: an organic mattress. Crafted using renewable and natural materials, without unhealthy additions, organic mattresses help ensure high quality sleep night after night. To fi nd the organic bed of your dreams, trust an authentically all-natural source like The Clean Bedroom. Celebrating its 10th anniver- sary later this year, The Clean Bedroom’s trained organic mattress specialists are available online, on the phone, and in their sleep show- rooms in Portland, ME, Kittery, ME, Wellesley, MA, Greenwich, CT, Austin, TX, and Santa Monica, CA. For more information, visit thecleanbedroom.com or call 866.380.5892. Study reference: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/ conditioning/a/aa062800a.htm. See ad on page back over.


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