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I'm back, doing better, working on emotional dysregulation

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LisaBlanca

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I joined this forum back in 2016 when the big traumas happened. I don't even remember joining the forum. Brain fog much?

Overall, I have received a good deal of therapy and I am doing much better than 5 years ago! Emotional dysregulation and shame are areas I am working on now. I have been crying a lot and way to easy (especially when in a doc or professional's office and they ask how I am doing - psychologically. Also cry very easily with my husband, like I am wearing my heart on my sleeve.

I recently started taking medical cannabis (oil drops) at the recommendation of my primary doc and Psychiatrist. I am microdosing a very small amount of THC and I don't feel high at all (I don't want to), but I feel more "EVEN" and calm and level and light-spirited. Big change in just a few days and now it's been over a month. So, that's good. I know it's hard for people to find "what works" especially with cannabis, so I feel fortunate. My psychiatrist is also Board-certified in Addiction Medicine, and he's known me since 2017. He said cannabis isn't addiction. It can be habit-forming, but not addiction like other substances. he's been pushing this with me for a while and I'm glad I tried. I tried back in 2017 but was still so activated, it didn't seem to help.

I read a medical study about THC and the Amygdala and the Hippocampus and that pushed me over to trying again and spending the money (it's quite expensive).

I am also weaning off sleep medication (my choice) and that is going well.

PTSD is a journey and, looking back, I see how much progress I have made through hard work (really, the trauma I have is complex - even going back to childhood). Just wanted to check back in with the group.
 
He said cannabis isn't addiction. It can be habit-forming, but not addiction like other substances. he's been pushing this with me for a while and I'm glad I tried. I tried back in 2017 but was still so activated, it didn't seem to help.

I read a medical study about THC and the Amygdala and the Hippocampus and that pushed me over to trying again and spending the money (it's quite expensive).

I am also weaning off sleep medication (my choice) and that is going well.
Sounds great @LisaBlanca. I moved to cannabis as well after being heavily addicted to other prescription meds. Having weaned myself off those meds previously I fully expected the usual sh*t storm that goes with but - it was much easier.

Are you using just THC or CBD as well?
 
Are you using just THC or CBD as well?
So I didn't 't see your reply. In our state (NY) the oils (tinctures) are usually a combo of both, at different ratios, so I am using a combo. Within 1.5 days, I couldn't believe the effect on anxiety - so much lower (Amygdala less activated?). With anxiety lower, I've had much less triggering. My muscles are more loose. I am sleeping better.

Part of the reason I decided to go back on it is that I wanted to get off Ambien, and was hoping to recalibrate my endocannabinoid system. Over 3 months, I was able to wean off. I am sleeping better and longer without sleep meds. I do take an Indica gummy or some oil 2-3 hours before bed so hopefully the "sleepy" effect happens by then.

Apparently, being at "high alert" so long, our natural endocannabinoid system can become out of whack (depleted) and lacking the natural cannabinoids which help with regulation (mammals have these systems). Plant-based cannabinoids can help replace them (like what SSRIs supposedly do with Serotonin). The pharmacist at my doc's office said to take the same amount daily and I "get" that, and I have been doing that, but now cutting back a little and I'm doing fine. I don't think this will need to be on board forever.

So - I kicked the Ambien, I'm sleeping, and I have way less anxiety.
 
So - I kicked the Ambien, I'm sleeping, and I have way less anxiety.
👏👏👏 Awesome! Here we can get all kinds of oils. It's good to move your dosage around and try other mixes of THC and CBD as well. There are a lot of people getting good results from micro dosing CBD, THC, or a combo of both at low dosage of about 5% of one the other or both.

Apparently, being at "high alert" so long, our natural endocannabinoid system can become out of whack
Really it's a higher risk of an autoimmune disorder. The two have been tied together now, and I am proof that they are right wwith PTSD and Addison's Disease. If you look around you will find more older members that are the same. They do know that endocannabinoids play a part in retrograde signalling in the body and they must play a part in regulation of some systems. Since my mom started on CBD her diabetes regulation has been so good she hasn't needed more than oral meds.
 
Glad to hear you're doing much better over the years, so am I actually. I've actually tried microdose THC recently too with THC-V and Delta-8 but they quickly become a bit overwhelming for me as I have littler tolerance. I have mixed feelings on these. The good thing is that they stop my micro triggers that I may not even be consciously aware of from having any effect and give me more mental clarity and an easier way to see from many new perspectives but it's so clear that it's almost an alien landscape of perception to me. i have had too much before but I didn't freak out as much as get caught in a thought looping space where I understood the fractal like nature of even thoughts and actions much more clearly but staying there of course isn't practical though I took a lot from the experience like I have any other psychedelic experience (I prefer to see these things as tools). But my home leaf is kratom and I feel like it's too comfortable and mentally freeing to get off of even though I can't get enough all the time putting me in an endless cycle of mini withdrawals and increased sensory overload with everything that of course also make my tremors worse when they come and go. Where I am now I don't really have a choice but to embrace that chaos until I see any practical way out. I have tried quitting before and was successful once but my life without it is way too raw with everything going on with me to the point of barely being able to function properly.
 
👏👏👏 Awesome! Here we can get all kinds of oils. It's good to move your dosage around and try other mixes of THC and CBD as well. There are a lot of people getting good results from micro dosing CBD, THC, or a combo of both at low dosage of about 5% of one the other or both.


Really it's a higher risk of an autoimmune disorder. The two have been tied together now, and I am proof that they are right wwith PTSD and Addison's Disease. If you look around you will find more older members that are the same. They do know that endocannabinoids play a part in retrograde signalling in the body and they must play a part in regulation of some systems. Since my mom started on CBD her diabetes regulation has been so good she hasn't needed more than oral meds.
So, After @Freddyt 's comment, I read little more about moving things around. The pharmacist at my doc's office said to keep it the same product, ratio, etc. and then increase. Nope. I did that for the 1st few weeks, but I don't want to acclimate to a certain type or amount and need more (more $$$). I hope our state eventually has more options than we have now.

Great news about your mother, CBD and her diabetes!!!

I hear you about autoimmune. I know quite a few women with trauma and autoimmune issues. 6-7 years ago, a Rheum doc said I had Fibromyalgia. Shortly after that, I moved to another state. Doc here kept checking my bloodwork. Sometimes it wasn't great as far as inflammation, and other times it has been fine. Recently, I had a great check-up, and had even lost 10 lbs w/o trying (now I have a goal of moving more and stretching more). I tend to do more at home if I am in a class (yoga, for example), but I don't feel safe in a class right now b/c of COVID and I am a risk for intubation (I only have one vocal cord - long story). I will try some on-line classes, or perhaps 1:1 yoga sessions. My primary care doc doesn't want me in a room with unmasked, unvaxxed people. I agree. So, there goes Thanksgiving, b/c there are a couple of conspiracy theorists in my family.

I appreciate your guidance and support, Freddyt!
 
I hate to see people struggling in a bad way, but struggling in a good way is awesome @LisaBlanca!!

Recently, I had a great check-up, and had even lost 10 lbs w/o trying (now I have a goal of moving more and stretching more).
My wife has had a long struggle with her weight. It's a difficult thing. Congrats on losing the weight and on following through on your goal!!
 
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