I have always been intrigued with Cannabis as a healing plant; then I tried CBD; my life changed .
Let me tell you something about CBD. Please bear with me if you’re already familiar. CBD stands for Cannabidiol. CBD is a compound found strongest in the hemp plant. The hemp plant produces a higher percentage of CBD than does the cannabis plant which produces high THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD is the non psycho-active component. It doesn’t get you high. What it does do is re-establishes the equilibrium in our bodies that has been out of sync for far too long.
Check out this article I came across on Pub Med National Library of Medicine; if you want to get all scientific, I highly recommend this read.
I understand there is a lot of skepticism at first when considering taking CBD. Will I get high? Will I have a bad reaction? Will it make my anxiety worse? These are all absolutely fair questions. Please let me clear up some of those worries for you, as CBD has changed and enhanced my life for the better.
So why CBD?
If you’re unaware, every single mammal has a system that we can think of like the central nervous system. It’s called the endocannabinoid system. This system has been neglected due to the beginning of pharmaceuticals and "Reefer Madness" propaganda circa, 1936. There is evidence that there are side-effects to having neglected this system for as long as we have. I know this because I know myself. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Since I was 4 years old I would have anxiety attacks. I remember when my the attacks would last 20 minutes to half an hour, sometimes even longer and over the littlest things that are completely out of my control. A serious fear would rise inside me, my stomach would be in knots, my heart would race and palpitate. It was an uncomfortable agitation as the mind re-runs movies and there is nothing you can do; it’s almost inevitable for everything to fail. What a horrendous way to think. It’s not self-love, it’s loss of control, and a lack of training the mind. It’s also a chemical imbalance within our physiology.
I also just need to talk to my friends and family. Holy shit, every one is stressed out. They all suffer from anxiety, depression, chroinc pain; and they aren’t all that old. Some are on medication, others are trying to manage, but certainly not as good as they would like to be managing their problems. I have slowly been introducing them to CBD because I know what it’s like to not know where else to turn and not want to be on a plethora of pills.
I’ve been taking CBD since approximately early August, 2018, and it is now early 2019. I have tried Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) at the age of 18. CBT is behavioural modification which helps you learn what your anxiety is and where your triggers come from. It teaches you how to counter those triggers and then essentially, control them. I chose CBT over taking medications for my anxiety during this time. I have always been on the fence about taking pharmaceutical medication for anxiety because I do deep down believe that I have more power over my mind than I give myself credit for.
CBD helps me achieve a balance in my chemistry that grounds me.
I choose to take it every day because it dissolves my fears and daily stress. It also helps produces brain cells and improve cognitive functioning and ability. Concentration levels are up and distractions are down. CBD softens my periphery and that softness is essential for overall comfort of life.
CBD has proved to me that it can reduce the noise that’s in my mind (it’s usually never very clear). This noise is a series of voices, ones of negative influence and fear of situations that I cannot control.
CBD helps reduce inflammation in the body which is important for because I have a chronic pain inflammatory condition.
CBD has become a saviour.
My fight or flight response that has been on high alert now for just over 20 some odd years, has calmed down.
After the first couple of months taking CBD, I started noticing that my anxiety triggers weren’t such a bother like they used to be. The important thing was that I started noticing it.
The visions that my mind would create, now pass by like clouds in the sky.
I’ve heard that we become addicted to our own fears, and I myself have thought, "What if I no longer have these fears? Then I’m no longer going to be protecting myself because my subconscious is not looking out for me." Well f@ck that.
I was holding onto the wrong fears for far too long and I feel so much lighter not carrying around the weight of played up situations in my mind of things I have absolutely no control over.
If you or anyone you know has Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) I highly recommend they consider incorporating CBD into their daily routines.
Love, Earth Sprite.
