October, 2020
There’s a huge amount of interest in cannabis in the ALS community over its use as a therapy. I started to investigate because I had no prior experience with this particular substance.
What’s with all the gagging and snickering out there!?
OK maybe I got a contact high at a Grateful Dead show. Really. That’s it.
Your gaging has turned to widespread coughing and the snickering has turned into laughter which is turning your eyes red. Why don’t you believe me? I can tell I’m going to have to aggressively edit the comments on this blog post.
Let’s get serious. We all, or at least most of us, know about the psychoactive effects one of the many alkaloids of cannabis. We are all becoming increasingly aware that there are important pain relieving properties in the CBD alkaloid. The mechanics around this can be found in NIH studies among other sources. It’s no surprise that your local dispensary is frequented by arthritis sufferers.
During the early stages of the disease I experienced joint pain that kept me from sleeping. A friend in the green industry gave me a whole leaf preparation mixed in coconut oil. An old hippy recipe I was told. It worked extremely well although it left such green stains on my bed sheets I thought I was turning into a martian.
To answer your question, no you don’t get stoned with this stuff. Which means it is suitable for the office, especially if you work with martians.
Diving into further research I soon discovered there is little in the way of clinical trials on the use of cannabis in ALS. The one I did find occurred in Europe with Sativex. This compound, equal parts THC and CBD, was administered as a nasal spray. In a double blind trial it was found to be effective in slowing, and even reversing, muscle spasticity. Sativex does not appear to be available in the U.S., likely due to the federal government’s inhumane insistence on maintaining cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug.
With the exception of conversations, my research into CBD was through the web and is over a year old so take it with a gram of bud, er, grain of salt. Much of the discussion of cannabis is around alleviating cancer symptoms, pain relief, and anxiety. There is discussion around the THC-V alkaloid as having some effectiveness against Alzheimers but I understand that disease is along a different channel than ALS like conditions. I have heard from medical professionals of CBD use by multiple sclerosis patients. Doctors have not discouraged use of cannabis and will provide necessary certification to allow medicinal use where appropriate.
I was referred to Synergy Wellness and consulted with their founder. He steered me to specific strains of CBD to address specific needs. The big unknown is dosing, which is why “go low go slow” is the mantra.
Alas, it was not to be for this pALS. The panic experienced during past use of a cannabis tincture returned even at low doses. Having become panicked by panic I stopped exploring this potential therapy. Bummer. I just hope my experience does not dissuade others from investigating cannabis as a therapy especially for neurological protection and disease. As for me, I’ll have to be content with those one or two investigations during my school years and beyond that I simply can’t seem to remember.
Embrace The Suck 
Wish you would have tolerated the CBD! Your wonderful, evocative writing brought a smile to my face. Let’s hope a Democratic Congress and Administration bring some humanity to the topic very soon. I am increasingly optimistic that we’ll get a clean sweep! Love, Nancy
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“Panic. It crept up my spine like first rising vibes of an acid frenzy. All these horrible realities began to dawn on me. There I was. Alone in Las Vegas, completely twisted on drugs, no cash, no story for the magazine, and on top of everything else, a gigantic god damned hotel bill to deal with. How would Horatio Alger handle this situation? Stay calm. Stay calm.”
– Hunter Thompson
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Hi Bob, Fewer friends probably snicker when I had confessed to be a cannabis virgin other than what I whiffed from the partiers at the waterfall below our home but our son Matt convinced me to give CBD a try, slow and low, and I have incorporated it into my pain management for post herpetic peripheral neuropathy as well as pinched nerves in the lumbar region from sitting too much except when I was rowing a heavy raft too hard. Pain management is weird partly because the pain is as variable as the quality of cannabis. But CBD is definitely a part of my regimen and my Stanford Health Care pain management specialists mostly nod their heads when I talk about it for they talk little on this topic, but do not advise me away from it either. I wish it had done more for you. With love to you and Laurel, Dick
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Bob, So sorry to hear you can’t take advantage of the health aspects of cannabis. Don’t give up on CBD though, as research continues on ways to help more people. Hard to believe that Waldo never smoked a joint though
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Bummed to hear the Cannabis was a bust for you. I know several people that use it for a variety of ailments – mostly joint pain. I love your posts – your sense of humor shines brightly through your words. Take care my friend! Janet
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Very interesting research and insights, Bob. Although I’m a product of the 60’s, I’ve never tried it. However I (like Laurel) sat through hours of public testimony when the city was first considering the issue of implementing changing laws Re legalized marijuana. There were certainly many compelling stories being told at the podium. Take care. Deb
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You’re such an inspiration, Bob. Thank you for weaving your truth on cannabis and ALS into such an unassuming, non-judgmental yet witty storyline. Richard and I send you our love. You’re in my prayers today. Ru
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Good to know you’re trying all sorts of things … too bad about your Cannabis experience … (you know me 🙂 ) …Peace and Love Waldeaux…
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I seem to remember my first experience with the “herbal” refreshment” was with you! Who knew you were a Shaman, ahead of the times! At least the green concoction I used on your IT bands seemed to work and allowed me some pre-covid quality time with you!!! Miss that. I wonder if there is an interaction with one or more of your regular meds and CBD/THC that is contributing to the panic feeling. I don’t think you had that with your ” contact highs” in the past. Ahhh well, I am happy that at least California has seen the light of legalization. Love you tons!!!
Sister Margaret
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