Health Fitness

Holism, health and cannabis

Holism has to do with the big picture; it is related to the theory that nothing happens in a vacuum. In seeking answers to a problem, holism emphasizes the “whole” rather than the parts.

The Oxford English dictionaries define holism:

The theory that the parts of a whole are intimately interconnected, so that they cannot exist independently of the whole, or cannot be understood without reference to the whole, which is therefore considered greater than the sum of its parts.

And when holism is about health:

Treating the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease.

Another way to think about holism is by using the analogy of both natural and artificial systems (i.e. an ecosystem, a health system, a family system, a solar system, etc.).

A system is a complex “whole” with a clear boundary; there is an exterior and an interior. The content within a system (for example: climate, animals and plants) is composed of interrelated and interdependent parts that directly reflect the general context, within which they exist (for example: an ecosystem).

Whenever the totality of something produces a greater result than any one of its parts could individually achieve, we call it synergy (eg, a storm, the music of an orchestra).

The opposite of holism, reductionism, analyzes something by its components.

Holistic health: treating the whole person

The traditional approach to the medical system has taught us to recognize health from a reductionist perspective. We go to the doctor to fix a specific part of our body because it has stopped working well and may be causing us pain.

Millions of people obtain positive results using the medical model. The only problem is that this model considers, almost exclusively, only the health of the body. And when it comes to mental health, the typical solution is to prescribe antidepressant medications.

Why is this a problem? Humans are complex beings. We have minds, emotions and a soul, the personal and intangible relationship with a macro reality beyond ourselves. Furthermore, who we are is constantly influenced within the contexts of family, community, country and the world.

A holistic approach to health and wellness addresses the reality of these many interrelated and interdependent parts that make us who we are. The discomfort of any of them can directly (and negatively) affect the health of other parts of our life.

For this reason alone, the first focus of comprehensive care is on the person and not on the problem or illness. Stress, anxiety, and depression, for example, often end up translating into a physical symptom. Everything is connected.

According to the national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in September 2017, the American Psychiatric Association reported that the use of antidepressants had risen from 1 in 50 people 30 years ago to 1 in 9 between 2011 and 2014, and now in 2018.

This is clear evidence of the rise in mood disorders in Americans.

Why the most use? As mentioned, nothing happens in a vacuum and therefore evaluating one’s lifestyle with regard to home, relationships, finances, work, etc. it becomes a critical task to determine its impact. The bottom line is to find the root cause (s) and establish a restoration plan.

Cannabis and holistic health

The medicinal use of cannabis is a world apart from its recreational use. In many cases, the lower the amount of THC used in any medicinal formulation, the greater the desired effect. The saying is: Start low; go slow. Treatment is never the same for everyone because the current interaction of a person’s body, mind, and soul is of primary consideration.

Historically, the entirety of the ancient cannabis plant was used to have a beneficial impact on a person’s general condition, far beyond the mere control of symptoms. This makes it a perfect match for the holistic approach to health.

Like the complexity of the human being in the context of our diverse lifestyles, cannabis is a complex plant of the plant kingdom. Its effectiveness as a general tonic has to do with the fact that cannabis contains approximately 100 molecular compounds, with THC and CBD being the most researched and understood.

When the entire cannabis plant is used as medicine, it offers a synergistic or ‘entourage’ effect that explains why the therapeutic use of cannabis provides relief for a wide variety of conditions.

In this way, the therapeutic use of cannabis is in stark contrast to traditional medicine, which generally isolates plant compounds and manufactures them into pharmaceuticals to attack a symptom or body system.

I believe that more and more people are discerning the difference between the medical and holistic models of health. Each one has its time and place. By discovering the many benefits of medical cannabis, our general well-being, our lifestyle and our culture in general can be transformed for the better.

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