There are so many exciting things going on in the medical cannabis space right now. So much so that it is easy to get lost in all of it to the extent that you are not using your medications as effectively as you could. If you have recently obtained your first medical cannabis card, you might even feel like a child on Christmas morning. Could we offer some advice? Adopt a mindset of mindful medicating.
Mindful medical cannabis use is the practice of pairing your medicines with clear intentions, a consistent routine, and structured reflection. The idea is to ensure that medical cannabis supports your health and wellbeing rather than becoming the central experience of your life. Remember that medical cannabis is a medicine first and foremost. It should not define who you are or how you live.
Two ways to practice mindful medicating are establishing a schedule and keeping a journal. Scheduling adds structure to your medication regimen, while journaling helps you keep a record of how medical cannabis is actually helping you.
Wellbeing Through Symptom Management
As you probably already know, medical cannabis is not a cure for anything. It is recommended by medical providers as a way to manage symptoms. Proper symptom management leads to better wellbeing. That is the goal.
When you visit the Beehive Farmacy location in either Salt Lake City or Brigham City, you come with expectations. You expect to renew your supply of medications with the knowledge that they will help you feel better. But why not go one step further? Why not become a mindful cannabis consumer?
Remember that you are after symptom management. The point of consuming medical cannabis is not to escape or numb out. So be:
- Intentional – Why are you using it?
- Aware – How does medical cannabis make you feel?
- Moderate – What is the lowest effective dose and frequency you can use?
If you struggle to be mindful, you can try intentionally asking yourself a question before each dose: what do I want from this session? Maybe you simply want to relieve your pain. Or perhaps you have something big coming the next day and you need a good night’s rest. Knowing your intention can put you in a good place for your next dose.
Create a Basic Schedule
Creating a basic schedule encourages you to use medical cannabis the same way you would any other prescription medication. If you were to get a prescription for antibiotics from your doctor, the bottle would tell you the number of times per day to take a dose. In your mind, you would naturally divide up the day into even increments so that you are taking the medication at the same time day in and day out.
Why not do the same with medical cannabis? Anchor your doses to your daily routine. Perhaps you’ll take one dose first thing in the morning and another just after lunch. A final dose before bed sets you up for quality rest. Here is a tip: Beehive Farmacy pharmacists can work with you to establish a schedule.
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal will help both you and the pharmacist keep you on track. A journal is simply a written record of a particular medicine you have used along with dosing, frequency, delivery method, and how it made you feel. The information represents an invaluable record the pharmacist can lean on to give you advice.
Medical cannabis should never control you or your life. Always remember that it is a medicine. Treat it like one. Practice mindful medicating so that you maintain control.
