Dear Sarah,
Recently, my boyfriend broke up with me. We had been living with each other for a couple of years. Then, one day he said, “I need to go. I’m not happy and I’m moving out.” It’s only been a week and I’m so depressed and lonely. How do I move on? Will I ever meet my Prince Charming?
~ Lonely in Lancaster
Dear Lonely,
Audrey Hepburn once said, “The most important thing is to enjoy your life—to be happy—it’s all that matters.” She had plenty of obstacles to overcome, including living in the Netherlands when it was occupied by the Germans during World War II. Nonetheless, she became one of the most iconic actresses of all time, and devoted years of her life to UNICEF. Anything is possible.
Sarah D’s Tips to a healthy and revitalizing break up:
Time to adjust: First, take a break from dating. I suggest you take as much time as you need until you are confident you are not dating just to fill the void of the past. Release all negative energy, and, no matter what, do NOT dwell. Meditation, yoga, hypnosis and a big, fat hit of hash can help too. Try adding cannabis to other aspects of your life for a deeper consciousness.
Out with the Old, In with the New: Your new bachelorette pad means its time for a home makeover. Re-arrange the furniture, paint the living room a bright new color, pick fresh wildflowers and surround yourself with things that brighten your soul. Many years ago, when my boyfriend moved out, I invited a couple of girlfriends over, and we had a marvelous time making the apartment my sanctuary of health, happiness and joy.
Get Active: Move! Just eating healthy isn’t enough. Go outside and enjoy the sun. Walk, run, rollerskate, bike, hike—heck, go hang gliding if you really need to clear your mind. Signing up for a fitness class is a great way to meet hot guys, and, if you are feeling a little drab, a pole dancing class can spice things up a bit.
Conscious Consuming: Add some moderation to your diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, veggies, beans and hemp foods to return to cloud nine. Eating well means being well. Go ahead and gorge on all the crap you want, but I warn you of the pain that will follow. That being said, I again quote Audrey Hepburn. “Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people; it does for me.” Always be sure to reward your discipline with a little comfort food.
Practice Gratitude: Everything happens for a reason. Be grateful that the Universe has brought you where you are, and never take for granted the simple pleasures in life. The sadness of solitude will dissipate while you find your inner peace. A warm shower, a fresh glass of water and a packed pipe can get you through nearly anything. Until you find that perfect one, men will come and go, but you will always have yourself.
Date Yourself: Enjoy your own company for a bit, and take some time to think and reflect. Be on your own schedule. Spoil yourself, and only yourself, with a five-star dinner followed by a night at the symphony.
Family and Friends: Love can come in many forms. A close friend or family member can show you how much you have to be grateful for besides your relationship. Positive and fulfilling activities such as having a spa day with the girls or dinner with your family turn a lonely Saturday night into an amazing evening. Sometimes, a good cry and a hug from a friend can make it all better. Release the pressure and sadness you feel inside. Nothing is wrong with letting go once in a while.
Stay in the Moment: Laugh and smile as much as possible. It keeps you young. And remember, Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be.
Dear Sarah,
Can medical marijuana help me to focus and concentrate on hard subjects and concepts? For example, a friend of mine doesn’t medicate that often, but when he does, he seems to ace any college test. And he hates tests! What does this mean? Can medical marijuana actually improve learning abilities for some?
~ Halo in Hawthorne
Dear Halo,
It is ironic that medical marijuana is considered a radical treatment for ADD/ADHD, when the “conventional” treatment is the use of amphetamines such as Ritalin. Despite the fact that conventional wisdom holds that marijuana makes you “stupid,” it can actually improve symptoms in severe ADD/ADHD patients. However, limited studies have been conducted on the subject.
Stimulants improve the symptoms of ADD by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, increasing the ability to focus and concentrate. Multiple studies have shown that cannabis causes a similar change in dopamine levels, improving the symptoms of ADHD without the side effects of the stimulants. Endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids increase the availability of dopamine. They address the same problem with a different mechanism.
These hormonal changes take place in the parts of the brain that control executive functions such as reasoning, planning, problem solving and attention. Ironically, a select few severe ADD/ADHD patients have performed better academically treating their symptoms with medical cannabis instead of conventional stimulants.
Remember, though, everyone’s endocannabinoid system behaves differently. Consult the advice of a physician, and always approach medical cannabis on a case-by-case basis.
Got a burning question about love, life and/or the pursuit of medicine? Ask Sarah Diesel, medical-marijuana advocate and L.A.’s Countess of Class and Cannabis. Just keep your questions short, straightforward and obscenity-free, and email them to AskSarah@freeculturemag.com.
