This interview first appeared in the Sports Edition of Fat Nugs Magazine, released May 2024.
Megan Mbengue is the revolutionary force behind EntheaCare (formerly Trusted Canna Nurse). Recognizing a gap in the healthcare system, Megan set out to bridge the divide between patients and the world of cannabis and CBD. With over 10 years of nursing experience in diverse fields like oncology, labor delivery, and hospice care, she brings a unique perspective to her practice.
Megan holds national certifications in three nursing specialties and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Medical Cannabis Therapeutics. Beyond her qualifications, Megan is a respected voice in the field, having spoken at numerous events and earned various accolades. She’s also an active member of notable organizations such as the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, Cannabis Nurses Network, and the American Cannabis Nurses Association.
I first met Megan in an online networking group with Sage Advice as part of the Ganjier program. I was extremely impressed with her knowledge and background, as well as her commitment to using full plant spectrum products. As I got to know Megan, she told me about her journey into competitive pole dancing, and I was absolutely riveted.
Pole Dancing & Cannabis
Tell me about your journey into competitive pole dancing.
I grew up as a dancer, my first degree is in dance, and I’ve always been very physically active, lifting weights as part of my regular workout routine, and then I did a class with a friend. From the start, I fell in love with it. It’s the perfect combination of strength training and dance, and I love that the progress is tangible. One week I’m not strong enough to do a move, and then boom, the next week I can nail it.
In my first year, I went to 4 or more classes a week and competed that year, taking 2nd place. It was awesome.
What are your thoughts on the use of cannabis in sports, particularly within the competitive pole dancing community?
It has not yet made its way into the community as a standard. There is so much room for growth in education there. It can be so therapeutic and beneficial because we are at a high risk for injury.
Have you observed any positive effects on athletic performance or recovery?
I don’t use it as a performance enhancer. THC slows my brain down, and I need my reflexes to be on point when I’m hanging by one limb, 10 feet off the floor. When it comes to recovery, I use our Thrive xL tincture. When I started doing that, my recovery time was cut in half, and I was back to baseline at 2 days, instead of 4.
In what ways do you believe cannabis aids in recovery after intense training or competitions?
That would be the anti-inflammatory properties, definitely. I prefer using whole plant formulations with terpenes specifically for inflammation. For me, it’s the minor cannabinoids and terpenes that work best, not the THC, but I can appreciate that other people prefer THC for their training.
Inflammation plays such a major role in sports injuries and head injuries. Cannabis and CBD can play a major role in preventing the damage that injuries can do. Then there’s the mental health recovery. No one talks about the anxiety and depression that come with being out of your activity while you’re recovering. The mental health part is a huge and under-treated part of injury recovery.
Any precautions or considerations athletes should be aware of when using cannabis for performance or recovery?
There was a recent study done showing that consuming THC before working out made the workout feel harder than those who hadn’t consumed THC, but people also reported elevated mood and motivation after taking the THC. THC can put an extra load on the heart, so if performance is the goal, then maybe THC before working out isn’t a good idea, but if the goal is to just enjoy a workout, then maybe it’s a great idea! People need to listen to their bodies and do what works best for them.
What are your thoughts on the evolving attitudes and regulations surrounding cannabis in sports?
I love that we’re starting to see cannabis fall off the list of banned substances in the NHL and NBA. The NFL is still behind the times, but they have loosened their restrictions. Meanwhile, we need more studies done on CBD and other cannabinoids in helping recovery from traumatic brain injuries and concussions. The perception of cannabis use is evolving but there is still a very strong stigma.
Do you think there’s more stigma in pole dancing or in cannabis?
If you thought cannabis was stigmatized, try going public about pole! We’re used to being stigmatized, so we have a fairly judgment-free culture. I wish that more pole dancers knew the power of cannabis and CBD in recovery and injury repair because a lot of people are out for weeks or months, waiting for their injuries to heal.
Where do you see the intersection of cannabis and athletics heading in the future?
I would love to see contact-sports athletes using some sort of CBD and CBG as some sort of prophylactic maintenance during the season so that when they get an injury or when they get hit in the head, they’re already ahead of the game. I’d like to see it as a therapeutic option in injury recovery, a standard. Right now, there are no medications for concussions. There is nothing to help with the neuroinflammation that happens. Seeing it as a standard of care–that’s where the goal is.
