Submitted by Maureen from Denver

I am 54 years old. I grew up in New Jersey and Pennsylvania before moving to Denver 20 + years ago. I have been dealing with a mystery reaction to eating raw or powdered garlic for about 10 years. Leaving me trying to understand what was causing this reaction and what could help to relieve the immediate and severe symptoms.

Unraveling the puzzle to identify the root causes of severe gas, bloating, vomiting, pain, and discomfort

Once I figured out that it was raw crushed and powdered garlic, I attempted to treat it with standard OTC gas relief, nausea medications, or pain relief products. The symptoms did not resolve and took about 24 to 48 hours for me to feel normal again. The reaction caused me to have to shut down, with extreme fatigue, pain, and overall major gut discomfort. I looked all over the internet for explanations and treatments for this reaction. Most treatments suggested avoidance, antihistamines, and epinephrine.

Exploring cannabis for potential discomfort relief

With no relief from these treatments, and as a long-time user of cannabis for enjoyment, I decided to take a couple of puffs of cannabis flower to see if it could help with the discomfort. I began to see and feel less bloating and pain. Within the hour I was feeling much better and able to sit up and begin to take sips of water, and within a couple of hours, back to mostly normal feeling.

Cannabis use was social for most of my life until this connection to my garlic reaction as medicine

My cannabis use started when I was very young as the result of being from a large family that had many older siblings using cannabis socially and regularly. In 2016 I came across two dietitians Donna Shields & Laura Lagano of the Holistic Cannabis Academy who put on a Medical Cannabis Summit to learn about the medical benefits of the plant. I continued to follow the cannabis science and completed my Holistic Cannabis Certification with CEU credits as a dietitian in 2020.

The stigma around cannabis throughout my life was usually upheld by the current laws, conservative group thinking, and propaganda generations!

My parents were from this school of conservative and propaganda thinking. They knew several of their 14 children used "weed" and they were very verbally against it. Because of my easy access and comfort level of my sibling's open use, I, therefore, was exposed early. I used it socially on weekends, but not needed on a daily basis. Hiding usage was dependent on who you were around, as stigma was still part of the standard system culture. My early usage also never attributed to the slacker stereotype, as my work ethic and accomplishments have proven otherwise, and frankly helped me stay balanced through normal life transitions. This slightly hiding, but slightly open approach is how I managed until I attended the medical cannabis summit in 2016. Once I had a solid understanding of first the propaganda, its historical uses, and now medical applications, I have not been hiding my use or holding back on sharing this information to anyone, even known objectors.

My purposeful and enjoyable cannabis rituals

When I consume for my garlic allergy, I inhale my favorite chemovar Cannatonic which is what I call “bud light” because it is a 1:1 THC/CBD flower hovering around 6-10% each so you rarely feel impaired, just empowered. The main terpenes I rely on are d-limonene and Beta-Caryophyllene. If I am going out to dinner and cannot control the recipe preparations, a pre-meal 1:1 THC/CBD edible will hold off most reactions along with some skilled choices from the tempting menu selections.

I currently enjoy a mostly daily morning ritual of a 1:1 THC/CBD micro-dose via inhalation to start my day. I find that this creates a mindset of clarity and creative thinking and is long-lasting. My evening ritual is usually on an as-needed basis. I use it mainly recreationally in the evenings or on weekends as an alcohol alternative or creative layering.

I have recently become more aware of consciously consuming by inhaling flower for immediate effects prior to yoga, meditation, or drumming to help me drop deeper into my thoughts during my practice. My preferred method is to inhale a traditional flower preparation because of the taste, aroma, ritual, and immediate onset yet shorter effects.

Before incorporating cannabis 

My garlic allergy would stop me in my tracks and shut me down for the next 24-48 hours. I would be afraid to order off a menu or eat at someone's home.

Now that cannabis manages my symptoms I have found ways to enjoy garlic

At home, I now slow low roast my garlic bulbs in olive oil for about 20-30 minutes to enjoy the rich flavor and benefits of garlic, without the reaction in the raw form. What I did find out is that when the raw form of garlic acid degrades in our stomach enzymes, it changes to a sulfur form, which may help me understand my body’s response as I also have skin rashes if I consume sulfur-added red wines. 

I am enjoying more meals outside of the home and always bring an edible or one-hitter of cannabis to offset the effects if there is a surprise reaction. This does make it hard for me to travel to states that are not legal for fear of loss of quality of life with no known other effective remedy.

My connection to cannabis as medicine has helped me better understand the limitations for those who need cannabis on a daily basis for their health, wellness, and quality of life.

This is Maureen’s personal story and not meant to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes.

To work with a medical Cannabis professional, please visit our directory of coaches, educators, and medical professionals. Everyone’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is different; good results start with the right approach. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.

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