Examining Mental Health and the Use of CBD for Coping
Over the last few years, I’ve had some significant mental health struggles, which has been exacerbated by the events of 2020. I’ve dealt with persistent and excessive worry about a variety of things, from finances to my health. This is what professionals refer to as generalized anxiety disorder, characterized by intense worry about multiple aspects of your life. Over the years, I’ve become adept at handling it, but the persistent headaches, hair loss, and even trips to the emergency room for heart scares told me that my body was under immense strain.
Addressing Anxiety and Physical Health: The Contemplation of CBD
It became evident that it was time to explore another method of managing my anxiety, one that I had been apprehensive of my entire life: CBD, which is an extract from the cannabis plant.
There’s one thing, however, that made this trial slightly more difficult: I hate everything about weed—the smell, the symbol, even its effects on people. But the numerous positive reviews of CBD oil and its potential for relieving anxiety and physical ailments persuaded me to give it a try.
Embarking on the CBD journey
I started with a CBD oil that claimed to have minimal THC content, the compound responsible for the “high” that cannabis produces. Though it smelled like weed, I forged on, hoping that it would alleviate my physical pain and anxiety.
Differences in expectations and reality
Apart from my bodily struggles, I carried plenty of mental expectations and anxieties about trying CBD oil. Contrary to helping with my anxiety, the experience of it in my system only made me feel more out of control. It didn’t make me forget my problems—an escape mechanism that some people seem to seek—but it did intensify my feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Debunking the placebo effect
Many people claim that CBD’s efficacy is merely a placebo effect, where you convince yourself that a non-functional pill or therapy is working simply because you believe in it. Given my experiences, I can’t argue against this assertion. When using the CBD oil, I felt detached from my body, primarily due to the worries and expectations that clouded my mind at the time.
The Verdict on Using CBD Oil for Anxiety
After trying it for two to three weeks and conducting gradual dosage increases, I finally arrived at my conclusion: CBD oil didn’t work for me. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work for anyone else. Every person’s body is unique, and different treatments have varying impacts on different individuals. While CBD, smoking weed or meditation work for some, they might not work for others, and vice versa.
Exploring Alternative Methods for Coping with Anxiety
This raises the question: what else might help with anxiety? It’s essential to remember that there’s no universal solution to managing this complex condition. Thus, anyone with anxiety should keep seeking different coping methods that work best for them. Just because one method doesn’t provide the desired relief, doesn’t mean that nothing else will.
Coping Internally with Anxiety
For the time being, I’ve decided to stick with dealing with what’s happening on the inside, hoping to work my way out gradually. The key takeaway here is that it’s okay not to find your solution immediately; just keep hanging on. Know that you’re not alone in your struggles, and it’s okay to try different methods until you find the one that suits you.
Addressing Potential Side Effects
One final note worth mentioning is that CBD oil caused a surprising adverse effect on my stomach, making me feel overly acidic, but this might not be the case for everyone. Just because CBD oil didn’t work for me and even caused some discomfort, doesn’t mean that you should discard it if it helps you.
Concluding Thoughts on CBD and Anxiety Management
If you’re considering trying CBD oil or any other alternative coping methods, the most important thing is to stay safe and keep an open mind. The journey to managing anxiety is full of trials and errors, and it’s always good to be educated about the potential solutions out there.
While every method has its pros and cons, the goal is not just about forgetting our problems but finding a way to address, manage, and learn from them. Hence, as you embark on your journey toward mental wellness, remember to be patient with yourself, stay open-minded to different methods, and know that you are not alone in this.
