CANNABIS | CBD OIL

In Defense of My Full-Spectrum CBD Oil

Because some of you clearly don’t get it — NO, it doesn’t make you high

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Full disclosure: I have been on full-spectrum CBD oil for about a year now. I take 950 mg.: one capsule of broad spectrum in the morning and two capsules of full spectrum at night.

The purpose of this article is to address some of the criticisms of CBD oil, what it does and does not do, and some of the legal issues involved. It is not meant to be medical advice or persuasive — but the author admits to a hard bias for use of the substance for medical and mental health purposes.

“You shouldn’t be taking that CBD stuff — it’s messing with your brain chemistry” — the person said to me on the phone.

Well, I thought — you’re damn right it does!

Before CBD oil I was neurotic, a raging insomniac, and I suffered terribly from dermatillomania, GAD, SAD, and PTSD. In short, I needed a bit of help. SSRI’s (at least the 7–8 different ones I have tried) worked more like a numbing agent or worse — a manic trigger that sent me spinning into a place no human should ever have to go.

I wanted help with my chronic pain, but quite by accident, I found mental health help and help with my chronic pain. While I cannot give medical advice to anyone — I can certainly testify to what CBD has done for me. For the critics in my life of the THC component — they can suck it.

CBD works for me. After several decades of struggle — I found something that helps me. No way am I going back.

Why I began taking CBD oil

I saw an orthopedic surgeon for a neck problem after seeing my regular “doctor” for three very painful years. All roads led to “chronic” and “we can’t help you” and “here’s the number to the pain clinic.” Finally, this ortho doctor told me to get some CBD oil because she “hears it helps so many of her patients.”

Um, ok. So, I called friends, I texted and messaged other people around my age who I knew were using it, and I interviewed them all — their symptoms, and to what level they found relief. I researched CBD oil and the legalities of it. When I finally felt comfortable enough to spend the money (and settled on a USA-made brand I felt I could trust) I ordered my first bottle and have not looked back.

Here’s a bit about my story with CBD.

To date, CBD oil helps me with

• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• PTSD
• Dermatillomania
• Gives me a general positive feeling of well-being

The criticism / The confusion

My friend on the phone who criticized my use of CBD has clearly not done the homework that I have. They are on the other end of the phone “looking in” and are clearly inserting their own preconceived notions as to what exactly CBD oil does. Or perhaps this new “calmer” me doesn’t make sense to them.

They are concerned, albeit intrusively, but I do understand their reluctance to get on the CBD train with me. It makes me sad because for the first time in decades, I feel healthier and more “normal” and I was kind of looking forward to the “wow, you’re doing so well!” remarks from family and friends. I think it is simply hard to see what I feel.

Aside from personal preconceived notions:

Most criticism of CBD oil comes from two points

• The lack of definitive medical research studies proving the claims made by CBD oil companies.
• The misunderstanding of the THC present in some CBD oils as causing psychoactive symptoms resulting in that “high” feeling associated with marijuana.

First of all, CBD oil is being widely studied. CBD is suspected to react with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your central and peripheral nervous systems. Some people are able to use CBD instead of an SSRI (Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) because of the action CDB has on serotonin levels, a chemical in the brain that in low numbers can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental and physical health issues. NIDA reports that CBD has been proven to reduce anxiety in connection to Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Studies also report that CBD helps to treat Social Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and insomnia.

Secondly, CBD is not psychoactive. The .03% (or less) of THC contained in most full-spectrum CBD oil is NOT enough THC to create psychoactive symptoms resulting in the “high” feeling you get from marijuana. Most states in the US require CBD oil to contain less than .03% THC, so be careful where you buy to make sure you are getting quality CBD oil and check to be sure it is legal in your area.

While some areas do not have explicit laws specifying whether or not CBD is approved for use, the new Farm Bill helps to clarify it as not being a “controlled substance,” opening a more accepting terminology, though states are still able to determine the legality of the substance. In my state, it is approved for severe epilepsy, but I am able to order it online and am using it under my doctor’s recommendations.

While the 0.3% THC may be enough to tip off some drug tests that test for any part of the marijuana plant’s presence, it won’t show up on more specified tests. I have not had to be drug tested for any reason since starting CBD oil but have reported my use of it to all doctors I have seen since I began taking it — to the approval of all of my doctors.

The takeaway

If you find something that works for you, and you’ve done your research, AND your doctor is onboard — your personal medical decisions are not anyone else’s business. If you take SSRI’s and your spouse is pressuring you to come off of them because they “don’t like it,” you do not have to give in to that pressure. Equally true of any other medications you take.

While you can hear the concerns of others, you ultimately make that decision for yourself, with your doctor’s guidance. Don’t feel like you have to explain yourself or your decision to anyone, no matter how well-meaning their concern.

Only you know how you feel. Consider the input of others, especially if there is an overwhelming consensus that something isn’t “right” with you — and perhaps discuss those outside concerns with your doctor — but in the end, make an empowered decision for yourself and be secure in that decision. CBD oil may not work for everyone — but it works very well for me, so I will continue what is working for me.

And the naysayers — can suck it.

Thanks for reading. Written by Christina M. Ward Fiddleheads & Floss Writing Services