Cannabis, The Natural Healer

Cannabis as an ally in reaching a state of well-being

Cannabis was introduced to me as a recreational tool, being a sensitive child and bearing some traumas myself, it helped me to navigate life in my younger years. As time passed, I came to realize the healing properties it has, not only from my personal experience but also from seeing the benefits it has given to my loved ones. As I grow older, I have come to confirm the therapeutic effects cannabis offers, and when mixed with other well-being modalities such as yoga, it makes a difference when supporting a healthier lifestyle.

My own healing journey with Cannabis

The growing impact that cannabis has had in the health industry confirms what my loved ones and I have experienced for years. As a child, I was living in a constant fight-or-flight mode primarily due to childhood traumas and moving to a different country, leaving everything that was familiar and safe behind.

Upon arriving in the United States, I began practicing yoga alongside my recreational use of cannabis. This combination helped me feel more centered and live a more balanced life.

When I was 26 years old, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and the diagnosis was unsettling. However, my partner at the time was very knowledgeable about the healing properties of cannabis, so I started using it more frequently. By combining it with yoga, breathwork, meditation, natural whole foods, herbs, and sweat therapy, my symptoms went into complete remission, and I became pain-free.

I believe cannabis acted as a neuroprotectant during the early stages of Lyme disease, preventing any lasting damage that I am aware of. Its multifaceted benefits lifted my brain fog and depression, transforming them into gratitude, positivity, and empowerment.

Cannabis, my mother’s healer

Shortly after I graduated from college, my mother and younger brother were involved in a devastating car accident, which caused my mother severe spinal cord trauma. She underwent multiple surgeries to decompress her vertebrae but was unable to move and experienced constant pain, for which the doctors prescribed strong opioid medications that came with various side effects. This led her to become deeply depressed and live in a fog, unable to care for my brother or herself.

As the environment in my house became increasingly challenging, I reached out to my friend and asked him to make cannabis brownies for her. Soon after, she experienced a significant reduction in pain and began to regain her energy and motivation. Although she still needed a cane to walk and occasionally felt foggy from the effects of her injuries, her overall quality of life improved dramatically. She could engage with her son again and started to reclaim her independence. This transformation wasn’t solely due to cannabis—it was also thanks to the yoga practice we incorporated into her routine.

I have been able to guide many people to healing journeys through the combination of cannabis and yoga.  The powerful synergy of cannabis and yoga contributes to healing, recover and well-being and I continue to educate people through consulting, coaching and leading women’s retreats and healing circles.

Estefania Valencia is a Colombian-born wellness educator, cannabis advocate, and yoga instructor based in North Bergen, NJ. She co-founded SannaOhana Wellness, where she has spent the past seven years teaching cannabis yoga, breathwork, and meditation, while empowering others through endocannabinoid education.  She is currently completing her Medical CBD/Cannabis Coaching certification through the Natural Wellness Academy.

Her journey with plant medicine began at 16 when she turned to cannabis and yoga for self-healing, a path that later led her to explore micro-dosing and other holistic practices. As a cannabis educator and supervisor at HudHaüs, North Bergen’s first cannabis dispensary, she continues to bridge the gap between science and wellness, helping individuals make informed choices about cannabis for healing and balance.

Estefania leads women’s circles, retreats, and wellness experiences designed to guide others in reclaiming their health through mindfulness, movement, community and plant medicine. She is passionate about optimizing longevity and vitality for both humans and animals, drawing from her background in veterinary studies.
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