Overcoming Opioid Abuse and Addiction with Native American Natural Ways of Healing
Overcoming Opioid Abuse and Addiction with Native American Natural Ways of Healing
Kumeyaay.com Joins Forces with NFL Super Bowl Winner & Renowned MD; Team Educates Public on Natural, Non-Habit Forming Methods of Combatting Opioid Abuse and Addiction
As featured by PBS in Cronkite News’ special report “Former NFL players seek game-changer to painkillers”, Kumeyaay.com’s Founder, Larry Banegas, is sharing Native American knowledge of natural ways of healing as a first line of defense when confronting the growing epidemic of opioid addiction.
At a conference in Arizona, Banegas joined forces with 11-year NFL Veteran and Super Bowl winner, Marvin Washington, along with Board certified, renowned pain specialist, Dr. David Tonkin. All are on a mission to educate the masses on the availability of natural, non-addictive alternatives to opioids.
Opioid addiction – it is not what you might think.
Don’t think of opioid drug deals in shady back alleys. Rather, think of walking into an office in broad daylight and meeting someone who is professionally dressed. Today’s battles with opioid addiction often started with an ache or pain and a visit to the doctor’s office. Patients build up a tolerance to the medication and seek more potent forms of relief.
Banegas, states, “Key factors to addressing and overcoming addiction are education and awareness. One needs to understand just how addictive prescription medications can be – from the first dose. Individuals should consider genetic risk factors and research all available alternatives. As a community, we have a responsibility to inform our family members that there are natural, non-addictive alternatives.”
Banegas has done his homework.
“I’ve researched how our Kumeyaay ancestors lived here for thousands of years,” Banegas explains. “Indigenous people should be proud of their heritage and culture. Mother Earth continues to provide natural medicine that works. At a time when addiction is rampant, we can learn from our ancestors’ wisdom by going back to their natural ways of healing the mind, body and spirit.”
An unlikely resource for naturally addressing opioid addiction: cannabis.
Fact: All mammals are born with an endocannabinoid system (we are literally built to consume cannabis).
Fact: The endocannabinoid system regulates all body functions, much like a thermostat.
Fact: Not all cannabis can get a person “high”; there are non-psychotropic cannabinoids (parts of the cannabis plant).
Fact: There are a many ways to consume cannabinoids including: edibles, oil, tincture, vapor, smoking, transdermal / topical, beverages, chewing gum.
Fact: Research proves that in places where medical marijuana is legalized, there is a substantial decrease in opioid prescriptions.
There are more than 100 known parts of the cannabis plant called cannabinoids. Many recognize tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as the part of the marijuana plant that gets people “high” or “stoned”. However, a main component of cannabis that is growing in popularity and simply cannot put anyone in an “altered state”: cannabidiol (CBD).
CBD can be extracted from marijuana or hemp – both are cannabis. However, it’s only hemp-derived CBD that can be legally purchased, shipped and taken anywhere hemp products are sold.
Readers with questions on what can be accessed to address opioid addiction, contact the Kuseyaay Healing Center through Kumeyaay.com’s Contact Us page.
Article sponsored by the Kuseyaay Healing Center
Editor's Note:
Kumeyaay.com will be featuring a section of the website dedicated to natural ways of healing in the New Year. Look for more announcements in the Kumeyaay.com monthly newsletter and on Facebook. Please send any comments to info(at)kumeyaay.com We look forward to hearing from you.