Why do I CBD? Because it works. And it works well. No side effects.
No side effects. All synthetic medication we take have side effects. Right, think about it. Medications like antibiotics – Dr. says here take this for 5-7 days. You’ll feel better, symptoms go away and bam. That’s not really the case though and I could go into an entire dissertation on the use of antibiotics and the effects on the body, but for today we will briefly brush over for the sake of this point, that with antibiotics can come upset stomach, and other GI issue, change in the microbiome of the gut, and for many women upset of the vaginal biome - causing yeast infections. We’ve heard a lot recently about the host of side effects and limitations that come with the use of pain medications. Other medications limit the foods you can eat. And so you get the point. None of this exists with CBD. There are no restrictions about who can take CBD, what you eat, no activity restrictions, and no side effects that require additional medication.
This is where my story begins.
I was a new mom of our beautiful, healthy, wonderful, baby girl. This was not my first pregnancy; in fact, it was my fourth. And short of an induction (because she was ten days past her delivery date, and as many mama’s can relate, I was ready to be done being pregnant) a very ‘normal’ health pregnancy. But there was something different about the pregnancy from the beginning. I was nauseated and lightheaded before ‘science’ even knew I was pregnant and I just felt off. For most of the pregnancy I went to the OB trying to explain there was something wrong with me. I was confident the baby was fine, rather it was me, something wasn’t right. They did their limited due diligence and ensured the baby was developing appropriately. Fast forward to the postpartum period, that’s when I finally figured out what was wrong with me- I had debilitating anxiety. About what? To this day I couldn’t begin to tell you. But regardless of the cause. It was horrific and when I say debilitating. I mean it. I sat on the sofa and watched my life dance around me like I was watching a movie on the TV. Completely disconnected from my family, from my life. And I began to understand why people take their own life. It is completely debilitating. Finally, I managed to get myself to the OB to seek help. Finally, I could identify what I was feeling and I was hopeful she would have something to offer me to reset and head in the right direction. Her only option was to stop breastfeeding and take an SSRI. I was devastated. Crushed. And then felt even worse. How could there only be one option and one I was so uncomfortable with choosing?
I went about my days just hardly holding it together. When a friend said to me have you heard of CBD? I had but was rather uneducated about it. She began to share her story with me and ow it helped her with her health issue. I asked if she knew if it could help with anxiety. She said OMG can it!!! Like any great nurse. I heard what she said but needed to do my own research. I did and guess what I found? It was exactly what I needed and could indeed help me. So, I tried a sample of her CBD. I took it that night and slept more soundly than I had in a very long time. I continued to take a syringe full of the 500mg dose twice a day and could feel the anxiety melting away. I could begin to function in my life again.
It’s not a cure all. I’ve done a lot of work since then and continue to do so. What it did was give me the ability to get out of my own way and begin to heal. And I could continue to breast feed my baby without side effect to either of us.
I want to briefly speak to the quality of the CBD you choose. I would recommend that you look for one that is third party regulated with good extraction techniques for the most pure oil. Be picky about which one you choose.
A couple key things to be aware of when looking at extraction processes. Drying and smoking causes decarboxylation making the cannabinoids indigestible through inhalation. Cannabinoids that are found in edibles, capsules, and oils, will first need decarboxylation for the body to know the full benefits and eliminate undesirable microbes that may be found on the plant. I’d recommend considering where the hemp plant is grown to reduce the toxic load in the plant. Then consider the extraction (of the CBD oil) process, Three common methods of extraction include: a solvent, olive oil, or CO2.
Solvent –It is a cheap and easy way to extract cannabinoids but will reduce ingestion of some of the vital nutrients in the plant by using an alcohol to dissolve the plant waxes. Beside producing a product with a bitter taste requiring additives for more palatable ingestion, there can be toxic residues left by the solvent used.
Olive Oil- It is one of the oldest methods for extraction. It’s safe, cost effective and easy to extract the desire cannabinoids. The olive oils will remain with the extract so that the end extract may not be as concentrated as with other extraction methods. Also, it’s shelf life is considerably reduced due to the olive oil.
CO2- Though a bit cumbersome and expensive it does deliver a potent and clean extract. It delivers high-quality consistent concentrations of cannabinoids that are free of toxins and waste products. Making this a great choice for larger companies. And a good choice for consumers.
To note there is a process I found while researching this information called CBD distillate. The benefit it that it can produce a potent extract but also removes some of the terpenes that are important for the full synergistic effects of the cannabinoids.
I’ll post the link to the brand I use but I’m not here to sell you a product.. I’m here to tell you that there are options. Options for things like pain, anxiety, depression. Cardiac and lung health, endocrine health, and so many other issues. Without side effect or withdraw symptoms. There is hope for you. And if you are a mama that like me hit a brick wall and felt there was no option, I promise you you’re not alone and there is hope.