Namasté

Namasté is a traditional greeting in India and Nepal (not just a way of ending a yoga class). I prefer to use this whenever possible in both greeting and saying goodbye, as this word communicates a whole concept in just one word. Namasté means that I recognize we are both an expression of the divine and I am honoring the divine within you (Namasté is accompanied with both hands in "prayer" position and a bow). It also conveys the awareness that we are essentially all one, thus there is no separation between us―we are both physical manifestations of the same essential oneness of the universe. Quite a lot to say in one word!

Each Morning I Awaken to a New Dream!

Medical Cannabis: No "Green Card" Required!

With all the debate about medical cannabis, I am never surprised by how LITTLE the average person really knows about this subject. Now I don’t claim to be an expert, but I have learned from people who are. People such as Gregory Carter, MD of the University of Washington Medical School. He has served on the Governor’s Task Force on medical cannabis. Dr. Carter is , without doubt, the most knowledgeable person in Washington state regarding the medical effects of cannabis—indeed he is likely the most knowledgeable person on this subject in the world. I had the good fortune of attending a workshop by Dr. Carter a couple years ago and was surprised by how little I knew about medical cannabis. Let’s start with the basics: the cannabis plant contains at least 85 chemicals called “cannabinoids.” The most well-known being Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis (i.e., what makes you stoned). If it were not for THC, no one would use cannabis as a recreational intoxicant. What I did not know until Dr. Carter enlightened me, is that MOST (if not ALL) of cannabis’ medical benefits come from another cannabinoid, Cannabidiol (CBD). And, guess what? Not only is CBD absolutely, positively, in no way psychoactive—CBD helps clear THC from the system making a user LESS stoned. What are some of the known benefits of CBD? Here is a brief list: antiepileptic (anti-seizure), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), neuroprotectant properties (nervous system/brain protection), protection against cellular damage, protecting brains from stroke, and powerful antioxidant activity which can be used in the prophylaxis and treatment of oxidation associated diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and autism spectrum). There is early evidence to suggest that CBD may be useful in the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as well as type two diabetes. Here is probably the biggest surprise: cannabis oil containing high concentrations of CBD (20%) are 100% legal in all 50 states. No “green card” required! How is this possible? Well the CBD is made from oil extracted from industrial hemp containing virtually zero THC. Since CBD isn’t a psychoactive compound, it’s not a scheduled drug. Right now, anyone who wants can order CBD hemp oil over the internet (I’m not going to tell you where since you can use Google as easy as I can). A few drops under my tongue every morning and I’ve been feeling better than I have in years. More energy, better mood—at the same time protecting me from stroke, cancer, etc. I’m really liking high CBD hemp oil!