Alternative and complementary therapies are practices not standard in medical care. They are frequently used by patients with physical and mental health conditions and have reported high rates of success.
Did you know medical cannabis is classified as an alternative therapy?
You may be used to utilizing cannabis only for symptom control, but have you ever considered partnering it with another unique therapy to amplify the benefits both have to offer?
Using cannabis may help you relax and give you a sense of well-being. When used alongside another therapy designed for relaxation or inflammation control, it could develop into the perfect combination to place you on the right pathway to healing.
Alternative therapies can include nutrition, acupuncture, massage, prayer, tai chi, and more. But here are three unique therapies emerging throughout our patient base at Canada House.
Color Therapy/Adult Coloring
Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy utilizes light and color to treat physical or mental health.
Are you familiar with stained glass? This practice dates as far back as Ancient Egyptians who made sun-filled rooms with colored glass for therapeutic purposes. Different colors promote different moods. Some colors promote relaxation, and some stimulate. Pink light has a tranquilizing and calming effect within minutes of exposure. Blue light can help regulate your circadian rhythm, better known as your wake and sleep cycle.
Knowing this information can help you strategically plan an adult coloring session. Put the thoughts of coloring as a child’s game behind you. Grab some pencil crayons, find some mandalas, and get at it. Coloring can relax your amygdala, the center of processing emotions and memories associated with fear. Adults who colored in a controlled study demonstrated significantly lower anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Is it possible, that the changes to your visual perception alongside cannabis use could enhance your coloring experience? The endocannabinoid receptor, CB1 is located densely throughout the Central Nervous System. Activation of the cannabinoid receptors could result in improved visual function.
Sound/Music Therapy
Sound and music can be utilized to improve physical and emotional health. It can involve listening to music, singing along, meditating, playing an instrument, or dancing. Music activates brain structures involved with cognitive, and emotional processing. We use to sound like one of our earliest means of communication. Our hearts beat by rhythm, we talk in different tones and pitches, and research has shown this.
Music enhances activity in the dopamine system but through research CBD also plays a direct role in these same mesolimbic dopamine pathways. In theory, having two therapies working on the same pathway could enhance the function and decrease depression more than alone.
Cannabis also interferes with short memory and time perception, it allows the cannabis user to be more present within the moment, allowing you to hear and help perceive more information.
Adventure Therapy
It is a form of psychotherapy, by utilizes challenging adventure activities that involve risk to promote both physical and emotional changes. First recognized in the 1960s as a camping program, it has now expanded and is performed by families, and groups and is gaining popularity among individuals. The participant experiences risk, stress, and anxiety so they can better problem-solve and generate their sense for behavioral corrections. It promotes identity development, self-efficacy, self-esteem, trust behavior, and more.
Is inflammation holding you back from getting out to do these physical challenges? Topicals, bath bombs, and suppositories all work on localized inflammation and body discomforts without having to worry about the intoxication of THC. CBD also has not only inflammation support but provided anti-anxiety properties helping with the worry and fear building up to the event.
It can feel satisfying to try something you have not in the past. Leaving your comfort zone, transformation and personal growth happen here. All these therapies are easily accessible and cost-efficient. You can also join groups or discuss some of these therapies with your Specialist. There are no limits in creating an environment and treatment program best suited for you.