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

Does Weed Make You Stupid?

Cannabis can mildly affect cognition for up to 72 hours after use. However, research has shown that there are no significant long-term cognitive side effects from weed. This study tells us that marijuana does NOT make you stupid.

A systematic review, published in JAMA Psychiatry, analyzed 69 different studies all of which examined marijuana’s effects on cognition, including learning, memory, speed of information processing, and language and motor skills.

The research was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and included 2152 self-reported cannabis users and 6575 self-reported non-cannabis users.

The study found that cannabis use slightly reduced cognitive functioning if users were tested during the first 72 hours after use. However, when a study required 72 hours of abstinence, NO long-term cognitive changes were observed.

Study Contradicts Propaganda

One of the most interesting facts about this study was that the participants were all adolescents and young adults with a mean age of 26. The research contradicts famous propaganda that marijuana makes people stupid.

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Study Results Are Making Parents A Nervous

So what does this mean? Does this mean its safe for kids to casually smoke weed? Should Sandra freak out about the half-smoked joint she found in her teenage daughter’s bedroom?

Some parents are asking, if I can’t tell my kids cannabis makes them dumb, how do I keep them away?

It’s super important to note that this study ONLY examined cognition. Marijuana use still comes with risks, especially for children.

Cannabis still has risks. Especially for kids.

1. The law is the most dangerous thing about cannabis. An arrest for marijuana can be devastating. Cannabis arrests DESTROY lives.
2. Cannabis has a 9% addiction rate, and children are more at risk for addiction period. That’s true for ANY type of addiction: caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, VIDEO GAMES, gambling, etc.
3. Cannabis can increase the risk of psychosis in children. Now, this risk is often overstated, because there are a bunch of other things that increase the risk of psychosis too, but this risk is especially relevant for adolescents with a family history of schizophrenia. READ: The Most Important Reason To Talk To Kids About Weed
4. The marijuana kids are accessing is not legal and responsibly grown weed. Kids access black market cannabis which carries risks of synthetics, pesticides, fungi, and dangerous substances including formaldehyde. (Synthetic weed can be fatal.)
5. There are other health risks associated with cannabis. Cannabis has cardiac side-effects, and it can increase the risk of periodontal disease. Marijuana can also interact with some medications.

In many cases, the risks associated with cannabis are much lower than the risks associated with traditional pharmaceuticals. However, we need a lot more research before we completely understand the full-scale of cannabis’s long-term health impacts. For now, rejoice in the fact that, contrary to popular opinion, cannabis does not make you stupid.Trending Now

Important Topic to Address with Your Kids

What To Teach Kids About Cannabis

I have a whole list of facts to teach your kids about cannabis.  But before we delve into the details, let’s address another very important topic.

Please discuss your family history of mental illness with your children.  Here’s why –

Adolescents More At Risk Becuase of Undeveloped Brains

Legal marijuana is safe for most adults, BUT, adolescents have more risks because their brains are immature and undeveloped.

Research indicates that there is a small section of the population that needs to exercise more caution with cannabis.

A post shared by Jessie Gill (@jessiegill.marijuanamommy) on Oct 19, 2016 at 1:44pm PDT

Schizophrenia & Psychosis – Kids Need to Know Their  Family History

Mental illness and cannabis are two difficult topics to discuss.  Mental illness is often hidden by families because of the stigma associated with it.  (as is cannabis)

But children NEED to know their family’s psychiatric history in order to make safe & responsible decisions about cannabis use (both in adolescence and adulthood).

Individuals with a strong family history of schizophrenia (and/or illnesses with characteristics of psychosis) should AVOID recreational cannabis use – ESPECIALLY during adolescence.

Individuals with a strong family history of schizophrenia, who choose to utilize medical marijuana, should be guided and monitored by a licensed professional.

If your child has a family history of schizophrenia (or other illness associated with psychosis), PLEASE make sure they are aware of the association between cannabis and psychosis.

READ:  Cannabis may trigger the onset of psychosis

A post shared by Jessie Gill (@jessiegill.marijuanamommy) on Apr 22, 2017 at 11:58am PDT

We Need to Talk About Weed with Our Kids

Whether you have a family history of mental illness or not, please discuss cannabis with your kids.

But before you revert to the DARE education of your youth – remember the facts have changed drastically.

Unfortunately, when it comes to cannabis education in schools, what most children are being taught is distressingly inaccurate.

Kids are still taught propaganda.  The “facts” listed in textbooks about marijuana are dangerously out of date.

This continued spreading of misinformation is doing our children a disservice. Please teach the real facts at home.

Sigh… this week is #propaganda week for fourth graders. A week that brings me an enormous amount of frustration. I’m grateful my son is well educated about #cannabis but that doesn’t protect the millions of other children being fed false information. Teach kids the REAL dangers and risks, not made up nonsense. Please teach about #marijuana the way you teach about opiates ? Don’t believe anything written in old textbooks about marijuana! Hop on pubmed and read the REAL research instead.

A post shared by Jessie Gill (@jessiegill.marijuanamommy) on Mar 5, 2017 at 4:14pm PST

How to Explain Misinformation to Children

It’s confusing for kids to be taught one thing at home and another thing at school.  I wrote this article for Ravishly and it explains what I tell my son about cannabis.

READ:  My 9 yo Knows Good People Smoke Pot

Why You Should Be Stingy with the Term “Drugs”

The term “drugs” is powerful.  It should be.  Drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroin are dangerously addictive and potentially deadly.

A casual approach to these dangerous drugs can lead to life-destruction.  The warnings about these drugs need to be powerful.

Social attitudes toward marijuana are rapidly changing; drug education must follow suit.

As more people come forward and admit to regular cannabis use, the stereotype of the stoner is beginning to die.

#mondaymotivation ? spring flowers keep me going on cloudy May days ??

A post shared by Jessie Gill (@jessiegill.marijuanamommy) on May 1, 2017 at 4:59am PDT

Fear of Marijuana is Faltering

Humans require legitimate fear to survive.  It keeps us safe.

Don’t dilute the word “drugs”-with non-lethal cannabis.

Children hear about drug addiction and overdoses in the media.  My family has lost loved ones to addiction and overdose.  It’s a powerful experience that instills fear – It’s an important and necessary fear.

I want my kids to be afraid of drugs.  I do not want them to see successful people, using “dangerous drugs”, and living normal happy lives.

Most marijuana users live normal happy lives.

For most people – legal cannabis use is safer than alcohol.  Cannabis is not the dangerous drug DARE told us it was.  Kids NEED to understand this distinction.

Death by Cannabis?

Here are the ways pot can kill you. Someone can hit you in the head with a cast-iron pot.  Someone can use a pot to cook up some poison…

No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. Compare that to 18,893 deaths from prescription painkiller overdoses or 29,001 alcohol related deaths from alcohol poisoning in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

No one has ever died from ingesting too miuch marijuana.

A post shared by Jessie Gill (@jessiegill.marijuanamommy) on Mar 28, 2017 at 5:39pm PDT

Real Risks of Marijuana

Marijuana isn’t deadly but that doesn’t make it perfectly safe.  There are real risks and dangers.  Kids NEED to know the REAL risks.

Is Marijuana Addictive?

• Marijuana IS addictive.
• Approximately 9% of users may become addicted to marijuana.  This statistic is similar to how many male drinkers become alcoholics.
• Cannabis withdrawal is not deadly like alcohol.
• Marijuana withdrawal for adults is like giving up coffee.
• Addiction to anything can be devastating to adolescents

Gateway Myth

Ban the term “gateway” from your vocabulary. Marijuana use does not cause people to use other drugs.

Addiction can start from huffing a paint can.  Most marijuana users live normal lives.

The idea that cannabis causes someone to use other drugs is propaganda.

Still worried about the gateway myth?  This Times article is an excellent read that dispels this fallacy.

Marijuana Fact Sheet

Cannabis is a Controlled Substance.

• In some states, marijuana is a medication prescribed by a doctor.
• In other states, marijuana is regulated like alcohol & tobacco – allowed for adults only.
• In some states, marijuana is completely illegal.
• Know your state’s legal status. State Marijuana Laws

The Real Dangers of Marijuana

All substances have dangers.  Here are some of the dangers of cannabis for chidlren.

• Large amounts of marijuana may alter perception causing users to be unable to recognize dangerous situations.
• It is very easy to use too much which can cause panic attacks and make you feel like you’re dying.
• The short term effects of large amounts of THC may negatively impact short term memory and active learning.
• Different people react differently, to varying amounts and strains.
• Marijuana affects brain chemistry and we are unsure how it affects the adolescent brain.
• In VERY rare cases, cannabis may trigger the onset of psychosis.
• Illegal marijuana can be laced with other damaging drugs & chemicals.
• Smoking any substance, including marijuana, can cause respiratory issues – it’s the smoke, not the marijuana.
• There’s little research on cannabis which means there’s a lot we don’t know about the health effects of using this substance.

It’s Illegal for Kids to Use Cannabis

Recreational marijuana use by adolescents is illegal across the United States Breaking laws has consequences:

• Loss of Drivers’ Licenses
• Fines
• Jail time
• Suspensions/Expulsions
• Elimination from sports teams, clubs, and activities

Share your beliefs

• Teach your values when it comes to alcohol, sex, gambling, and marijuana.
  • Be honest, tell them how you feel.
  • Be realistic – the current social attitude is changing rapidly.

Why This Conversation Can’t-Wait

In the past 50 years, social acceptance of marijuana has dramatically increased.  A 1969 Gallup survey found only 12% of respondents thought marijuana should be legalized; by 2015 that number increased to 58% overall, and 68% of millennials, in favor of legalization.  I don’t expect those statistics to alter your sentiment about marijuana, but I hope the widespread acceptance spurs you into action.  With nearly half the country accessing medical marijuana, it’s more important than ever to talk to your kids about cannabis.
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An interesting statistic proves that parents smoking weed more often than people realize.  According to the CDC for the year of 2014, 7.4% of teens surveyed consumed marijuana during the prior month.

Compare that to a whopping 12.7% of 26-34-year-olds and 8% of 35-44-year-olds.

It’s now more common for parents to smoke weed than it is for our teenage kids to be using cannabis.

Parents can use cannabis responsibly.

I wrote an article for VICE about responsible cannabis use.  Read it on TONIC.  Warning – it’s irreverent, contains foul language, and is all about recreational cannabis use.

Go read my article about Parents Smoking Weed on VICE:
A Guide To Staying High as a New Parent

There was a point in my life when I chastised recreational cannabis use. But after becoming a patient, I had difficulty reconciling that a substance can be used as both medicine and otherwise.

But after reading much research and using the plant daily for nearly a year and a half, I can’t ignore that cannabis is a lot safer than alcohol or nicotine.

#rum & #cannabis ? One of these substances kills 88,000 people each year* and is perfectly legal ?? The other #heals but is outlawed ? #legalize. (*according to the CDC)

A post shared by Jessie Gill (@jessiegill.marijuanamommy) on Feb 16, 2017 at 5:55pm PST

If alcohol and nicotine are legal and socially accepted, why is cannabis still outlawed?  This plant could be life-saving for many and widespread legalization is the only way to get it to everyone.

Sure, there are risks. But there are risks associated with consuming any substance.  Nutmeg is deadly and grapefruit juice can cause fatal medication interactions.

Cannabis addiction is a legitimate concern and needs to be addressed seriously like we do with alcohol and nicotine addiction.

The good news is that the rates for cannabis addiction are about the same as the rates for alcohol.  Plus, withdrawal from cannabis, although unpleasant, is not dangerous or intolerable as withdrawal from alcohol or drugs.

I still discourage illegal use. You never know what you’re getting in that bag, and breaking the law can result in serious repercussions.

Please consume cannabis moderately and in a legal & safe environment.

Go read my article about Parents Smoking Weed on VICE:  

A Guide To Staying High as a New Parent

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Child Proofing Medical Marijuana

When I became a medical marijuana patient, I started keeping my medicine locked away in this little box.

It’s funny because I never kept opiates or benzos locked up and those medications were deadly.  But, even though no one has ever died from a cannabis overdose, I lock it away from the kids.

Them I read a comparative risk analysis that said cannabis is 114 times safer than alcohol.

That got me thinking.  I used to have a wine fridge right next to where my son plays video games.  I don’t drink much and so it was always well stocked.  There within arm’s reach sat enough alcohol to kill my entire family.

Alcohol Kills

There was no lock on my wine fridge and we know for sure that alcohol kills.

The worst part is how many kids try alcohol. A study found that 58% of US high school seniors have tried alcohol, and 35% of high school seniors have tried marijuana (that’s why I’ll be keeping the lockbox for another decade at least).

Disturbing Alcohol Statistics

• Drinking one cup of vodka (or approximately 7 shots) within one hour would kill a 60-pound child (according to this blood alcohol content calculator).
• More than 90% of alcohol consumed by minors is consumed in the form of binge drinking (the most deadly form).
• Alcohol kills 88,000 people in the US each year.

READ:  Medical Marijuana Patients Rights

Only 1 out of 15 parents does this!

I wondered how other parents addressed this dilemma.   Was everyone’s alcohol locked away?

Research shows that alcohol accessibility is a big problem.  In fact, this study found that only 1 out of 15 parents actually stores alcohol securely.

Storing alcohol next to where kids play is completely socially acceptable, even if it’s deadly.  But my non-lethal marijuana is safely locked away.  Interesting?

I’m not saying everyone needs to toss out their wine, but I am suggesting we secure it a little better.

READ: The Most Important Thing To Teach Kids About Cannabis

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I loved my kids more than life and strived to raise responsible, healthy humans that would positively impact the world.  I was a good parent.

An injury while working as a hospice nurse altered my life.  I suffered a permanent spinal injury.  I tumbled into darkness.  I lost my career, my wellness, and my passions.

I had major surgery, tried countless traditional and complementary therapies, and accrued endless bottles of heavy pharmaceuticals.

All I had left was being a good parent, and even with that, I struggled.  I endured brutal side-effects of prescribed medications while simultaneously suffering from excruciating pain.

Yet, when medical marijuana was suggested, I balked.  I would not – could not – be a pothead.  I was a parent, a good parent.  Good parents can’t use pot, can they?

My desperation grew.  My own mother helped me find the courage to try medical marijuana.

When I experienced incredible (nothing short of miraculous) medical results, I knew I had to share my story with other parents.   Marijuana did not make me a bad parent.

Marijuana made me a better parent than I’ve ever been before.

Good parents do use marijuana.

Bio:  Jessie is a registered nurse with a background in holistic wellness and hospice. After suffering a spinal injury, she reluctantly became a medical marijuana patient.  Once a user, she quickly became an advocate. Her site, MarijuanaMommy.com, combines science and hope to combat the stigma against pro-cannabis parents. She’s appeared on Viceland and bylines include GoodHousekeeping, Cosmopolitan, RedBook, Woman’s Day, and more.  She lives in NJ with her family and a fluffy white dog.

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