Timmy’s Story

For 12-year-old Timmy (name changed), social anxiety was such a prominent part of his life that he declared himself “untreatable”, and did not believe therapy or tools could ever help him.

Timmy suffered from a debilitating social phobia. On top of it, Timmy has a unique set of characteristics, like a speech impediment consisting of anxious stuttering, he wears glasses, and he’s good in math, all which made him a target for bullies. Introversion and being bullied are often intimately connected, a trend confirmed by science, and in Timmy’s case, the situation was extreme.

“I was pushed down the stairs,” said Timmy with bloodshot eyes compounded by dried blood on his lips.

“This was about 6 months ago,” reported Timmy’s mom, who had become intensely worried.

His mom’s fear was not unfounded. Bullying victims have a very high risk for anxiety and depression. They’re 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than their non-victim counterparts.

This has been a problem for years. Attempts at speech therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and many traditional tactics had been used, but for Timmy, no matter the treatment, every social interaction brought anguish.

His suffering progressed leading to suicidal ideation for which Timmy’s doctor to prescribed an SSRI known as Prozac. However, the Prozac didn’t help. Instead, it caused a variety of debilitating side effects, such as nausea and a depersonalization. Timmy said, “It made me feel like even more of a ghost.”

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Discovering Cannabis

Timmy’s mother felt lost somewhere in an abyss. They were out of traditional paths, so she started to look into alternative medicine. She herself had been raised in a conservative family, where cannabis and related treatments were a serious taboo. This was something she would have never considered before.

But Timmy’s mom was desperate to find relief for her son. Her ears perked when she heard stories of other children taking cannabis products to relieve their symptoms. She read about a ten-year-old suffering from severe anxiety who found relief from CBD when no other medication provided any. Then she heard of the famous story of Charlotte Figi who found near-perfect relief from seizures with CBD oil.

When Timmy’s mom learned CBD does not make people feel high like cannabis is known to do, she was intrigued.

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The Science of CBD

Timmy’s mother, being a natural skeptic, conducted and ad-hoc research project. She learned the basics of neuroscience. She learned about the endocannabinoid system. She learned about CB1 and CB2 receptors, and how they modulate your physiology. Finally, she learned about CBD and how it works.

She discovered that “Endocannabinoid receptors are literally all over the body and help regulate so many different bodily functions we can’t even list them all or classify them. Appetite, sleep, mood, brain activity…”

The more research Timmy’s mother did, the more she learned, and perhaps not surprisingly, the more she became drawn into CBD’s allure.

And soon the decision was made, Timmy would begin alternative herbal treatment.

READ: CBD Has an 80% Success Rate in Children on Autism Spectrum

The Effect of CBD on Timmy

The first symptom to disappear was the stuttering. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate muscle movement and coordination, which is why it’s effective for tremor-heavy diseases such as Parkinson’s.

In the case of Timmy, within minutes his stuttering decreased by over half, and he was for the first time in years able to say full sentences without single jolts in speech. Timmy was ecstatic at the results – the most excited his mom had seen him in years.

After this, something profound happened in Timmy’s humble middle school life: he discovered a newfound confidence that allowed him to socialize, and more importantly, he began to enjoy socializing. Timmy went to his first birthday party, something he missed out on as a child due to his tendency to isolate himself. Timmy’s grades rose. Timmy gained weight and looked healthier, as he was previously very underweight and would often not eat due to his stress and anxiety.

Cannabidiol Changed Timmy’s Life

Timmy reported, “Over 90% of my social anxiety disappeared. My speech impediment is a lot less bothersome. I can finally be a kid.”

Furthermore, Timmy was able to stop taking Prozac, after suffering its side effects for over a year. Timmy accepted a natural treatment, and became free from both his demons and “the demons of the pharmaceutical industry.”

Timmy found that his ideal dose is a sublingual application of 15-20mg CBD, three times daily. He uses CBGenius’s Premium CBD Oil, after being given a life-long discount.

Bullying will always be a concern for his mom, but his renewed confidence gave him the ability to face adversity instead of hiding in isolation. Timmy’s mother told us over the phone in tears, “CBD didn’t just change his life, it literally saved his life.”

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Conclusion

There’s still a lot we don’t know about cannabis, but research and anecdotal evidence show high-quality CBD can be a powerful addition to the treatment plans of patients suffering from a variety of ailments. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider before starting a new treatment regimen.

About the author:

This article was written by the experts at CBGenius. The CBGenius team is passionate about changing lives with the power of CBD.Trending Now

Eighty percent of the participants in an Israeli study that examined the effect of CBD on children on the autistic spectrum reported a decrease in problematic behavior. Almost half reported on improved communication capabilities for the children.

An Israeli study published in April 2018 in the prestigious journal Neurology examined the effect of medical cannabis therapy on children on the autistic spectrum. The study, led by Dr. Adi Aran, director of the pediatric neurology unit at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, found that cannabis treatment with a high concentration of CBD (the non-psychoactive substance considered to have medicinal properties) improved the condition of 80% of the children in the study.

The study included 60 children, with an average age of 12, whose condition hadn’t improved with conventional drug therapy.

The children were treated using cannabis oil with a concentration of 20 percent CBD and one percent THC for at least seven months. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in the marijuana plant. CBD, on the other hand, has no psychoactive effect.

At the end of the treatment period, the children’s parents filled out questionnaires to assess the change in their condition. The parents were asked whether they had noticed a change in their child’s behavior, the extent of their child’s anxiety and whether their child’s communication abilities had changed.

80% of the children’s parents who participated in the study reported a decrease in problematic behavior, with 62% percent reporting that their child’s behavior improved significantly.

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Nachshol Cohen, Founder of Cannabium, the first CBD marketplace, said, “We hope that this research will help to bring about a conceptual change by regulators and policymakers, which will lead to a scientific momentum that will unequivocally demonstrate the positive effects of cannabis on a variety of health problems”.

The study also found that half of the children who participated in the study also reported an improvement in their level of communication, with forty percent saying that their anxiety symptoms had significantly improved. A third of the participants did not show symptoms of anxiety before the study began.

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About the Author:

Adir Alon is the Head of Global PR in the DM Communications & Enlightened PR. Adir is a top-notch expert in international communications and international relations.Trending Now

This might sound bonkers, especially if you still believe the reefer-madness, drug-war propaganda, but in many ways, marijuana and meditation are eerily similar.

I’m not saying marijuana can replace meditation, but I am suggesting it might significantly enhance it.

7 Ways Cannabis is Similar to Meditation

Reduces Activity in the Default Mode Network

You’re brain always has activity, it’s never completely off. And when you’re sitting around daydreaming, activity in your Default Mode Network (DMN) is high.

When we intensely focus on one thing, like during meditation, activity in our DMN decreases. Meditation is a sure-fire way to rest your mind. The physiological benefits of meditation correlate with a reduction in DMN activity.

• Meditation reduces DMN activity.
• Science is limited, but early research shows that cannabis also decreases activity in the DMN.

Read about my high experience on VICE’s Tonic: This is What Happens When You Combine Weed With Meditation

Targets the Amygdala

The amygdala is the “fight or flight” center of the brain. Anxiety and fear are associated with increased activity in the amygdala.

• Meditation is believed to shrink the amygdala.
• Early studies show that cannabis treatment also targets the amygdala.

Reduces Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is an extremely common and silent issue. It’s associated with a staggering number of disorders and illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, MS, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, fibromyalgia, migraines, Chron’s disease, and more.

• Meditation reduces inflammation.
• Cannabis also reduces inflammation

Reduces Anxiety

Anxiety can be a serious issue and for many is difficult to control. Traditional pharmaceuticals might help but also come with a variety of side-effects and risk for addiction.

• Regular meditation can help control anxiety.
• Cannabis can help control anxiety.

Reduces Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is life-altering and opiates are addictive and deadly. Plus, for many, traditional medications doesn’t even stop their suffering.

• Meditation has shown to help reduce chronic pain.
• Cannabis also helps reduce chronic pain.

Eases Digestive Issues

Digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome is one of the many issues associated with chronic inflammation. IBS, Chron’s disease, and ulcerative colitis are to be triggered by inflammation in the digestive tract.

• Meditation ease irritable bowel syndrome.
• Cannabis also eases digestive system issues.

Improved Outcome for Cancer Patients

Not only is the disease traumatic, but the treatments are as well. Cancer treatment comes with severe symptoms with patients have to live with, in addition to a deadly disease.

• Meditation has been associated with improved outcomes for cancer patients.
• Cannabis also improves outcomes for cancer patients.

Helps Fight Addiction

Addiction or substance use disorder is a debilitating and life-threatening issue that continues to claim lives around the world.

• Meditation can help fight addiction.
• Research suggests cannabis can also help fight addiction.

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Does Cannabis Relieve Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of nervousness or restlessness; it can manifest as an experience of uncertainty or unease and might be accompanied by a multitude of physical symptoms, like increased heart rate and sweating. Some strains of cannabis can help relieve anxiety. However, there are some risks to consider as well.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural feeling that manifests in times of stress. It’s often associated with elevated cortisol levels.

Biologically, anxiety is intended to heighten our senses and make us more aware of our surroundings in order to prepare us for us for an oncoming challenge or confrontation.

Anxiety often accompanies illness and inflammation (inflammation is also correlated with increased cortisol levels).

More: How Cannabis Relieves Inflammation

Constant or unrelenting anxiety is a symptom of an anxiety disorder. Without treatment, an anxiety disorder can significantly impair people’s function and decrease their quality of life.

Listen to me chat about cannabis for anxiety on the Anxiety Sisters’ podcast: The Spin Cycle 

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How Cannabis Helps Anxiety

Some strains of marijuana can act as a powerful anti-anxiety medication. Many compounds in cannabis, such as CBD and delta-8 THC, have anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety effects.

Research Demonstrates Cannabinoids Relieve Anxiety

Cannabis contains numerous cannabinoids and terpenes which can all have anxiety relieving properties. These chemicals can also interact with each other to relieve anxiety.

Research shows several cannabinoids have anxiety relieving qualities. Numerous human studies show CBD helps relieve anxiety; the National Cancer Institute defines delta-8 THC as an anxiolytic; and research from the 1970’s suggests CBG has anti-anxiety properties as well.

How Does Cannabis Reduce Anxiety?

The exact mechanism of how cannabis reduces anxiety is not fully understood. It’s likely that several different physiological actions cause the anxiolytic effects of marijuana.

Cannabis Enhances Serotonin Signaling

Animal studies show that cannabis can boost serotonin signaling. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in depression and anxiety. Enhancing serotonin signaling may help relieve anxiety.

Cannabis Can Spur Neurogenesis

Animal studies show that cannabis can spur neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Numerous studies have shown individuals suffering from anxiety exhibit changes in the hippocampus. Growth and changes in neurons in the hippocampal region may explain the anxiolytic effects of marijuana.

Cannabis Affects Brain Blood Flow

Research published in the Journal of Pharmacology investigated the blood flow in the brain of patients suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). A type of anxiety disorder. Neuroimaging exhibited brain blood flow changes in cannabis patients during treatment. The study found, “relative to placebo, CBD was associated with significantly decreased subjective anxiety”.

Wait, I Heard Cannabis Causes Anxiety… What’s the Deal?

There are actually different analogues, or slightly different types, of THC and each causes slightly different physiological effects.

Delta-8 THC has been deemed an anxiolytic, and while Delta-9 THC (the more commonly available version of THC)  has the potential to trigger anxiety in some people.

How to Avoid THC-Induced Anxiety

Research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology suggests that patients should combine CBD and THC together to avoid THC-induced anxiety.

CBD helps prevent anxiety when taken with THC. CBD can also help relieve any anxiety caused by THC when administered after.

How to Use Cannabis to Relieve Anxiety

• Talk to a professional. Before starting any new medication regimen, patients should seek guidance from their healthcare team. If your physician is not open to exploring cannabinoid therapy, find a NEW doctor. This is a new branch of medicine and unfortunately many healthcare professionals are grossly uneducated about cannabis. Your local medical marijuana program or dispensary may be helpful in locating a cannabis friendly doctor in your area.
• Start small! Cannabinoids affect every person differently. Begin cannabinoid therapy, by consuming small amounts of cannabis.
• Try CBD alone. A high-quality CBD oil is often helpful in addressing anxiety.
• Increase your dose gradually. The most common cause of cannabis-related anxiety is overconsumption. Try one or two hits and see how it affects you before you consume more.
• Start with high-CBD, low-THC and slowly work your way up to higher doses of THC. Patients must build a tolerance to THC.
• Consider microdosing. Microdosing is consuming very small amounts of cannabis regularly throughout the day. This can relieve the symptoms of an anxiety disorder without producing mind-altering side effects.

READ: Proper Dosing: How Much Cannabis Should I Use?

Best Methods of Cannabis Administration for Anxiety

Many patients prefer smoking or vaping as the best method of cannabis administration for anxiety because consuming cannabis via inhalation is nearly instantaneous. Others find consistent doses of oral cannabis, like taking CBD oil twice a day, is most helpful.

More: Methods of Cannabis Consumption

Is CBD Oil Good for Anxiety?

CBD alone is often enough to relieve mild cases of anxiety. CBD can be smoked, vaped, eaten, etc. A high-quality CBD oil may be enough to help ease your anxiety. CBD oil can be ordered online. I use NurseGrown Organics. (Use caution when purchasing CBD products, unfortunately, there’s a lot of unregulated junk on the market.)

High-CBD, Low-THC Strains

More difficult cases may indicate a significant imbalance in the endocannabinoid system. This is often better addressed with whole plant medicine or cannabis that contains the entire cannabinoid profile plus terpenes. High-CBD, low-THC strains help ease anxiety in many patients.

High THC Strains

High-THC indicas can be sedating and are ideal for many anxiety patients. Still, for some patients, high-THC strains can increase anxiety or trigger panic attacks. People with anxiety should always begin with a low dose of THC and gradually increase it after they are familiar with the effects.

The effects of different cannabis strains vary from person to person. Cannabis medicine is very individualized.

Risks & Warnings for Cannabis Use

Cannabis is not a completely benign substance. THC has side effects. Side-effects include a decrease in body temperature, an increased risk of periodontal disease, and cardiac side-effects.

Cannabis can also interact with medications. If you are taking another anti-depressant or an anti-anxiety medication, you should be familiar with the side-effects of all medications. Marijuana can intensify the effects of some medications.

Best Strains of Cannabis for Anxiety

• Cannatonic
• JLL
• Harlequin
• Canna-Tsu
• Sour Diesel
• Grandaddy Purple
• Kush X
• OG Kush
• GSC (formerly known as Girl Scout Cookies)

Types of Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Phobias
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• PTSD

Conclusion

Many report that cannabis can help relieve anxiety. Patients should remember that strains vary from person to person so individuals may need to try several strains before finding the ideal strain to relieve their symptoms. New patients should consider starting with high-CBD strains and introduce THC slowly to avoid anxiety from over-consumption. Keep in mind, CBD can also help relieve THC-induced anxiety, so keep it on hand. Speak with your healthcare provider about adding medical marijuana to your care plan.

READ: How to Get Medical Marijuana in NJ.

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