Marijuana

As of January 2022 Louisiana has dispensaries with medical marijuana options! We are still babies in the grand scheme of marijuana legality and I personally hope for the day when federal legalization allows us to all freely benefit from this amazing plant. For 12 years I dutifully tried the man-made pharmaceutical options to treat my PTSD symptoms and I found that I would inevitably lose myself. Yes, I was calm and palatable for society, no outbursts or erratic behaviors. I was turned into a heavily drugged zombie and when I reported a side effect for this pill there was another pill to counteract it.

I have used thc for my PTSD symptoms and it is hands down the best method of dealing with my issues without losing myself. I find it’s effective and I smoke daily, properly as a medical patient in Louisiana since their release of PAX in 2021. They began with tinctures and I found them to be unpredictable, I would dose myself with a few droplets of a tincture and feel the effects sporadically, sometimes a full hour later. The PAX was a reasonable alternative as it did allow for on-the-spot treatment of pain, anxiety and invasive thoughts.

I’ve often described the consumption of marijuana to folks who believe it’s just some hooligan drug as this: Imagine I’m in a field with you and while we’re walking I become paranoid about the snakes in the grass, approaching sheer panic that I’m going to be bit and die from a snake. Then, I smoke a little marijuana and we’re in this same field but I’m now focused on how pretty the flowers are all around us. It changes how the psyche operates. Unlike most drugs, if marijuana is effective at treating your symptoms your worst side effect is likely to be munchies and possibly weight gain from that.

In comparison to other drugs on the market it truly is a superior option (in my opinion). The studies and varied uses of marijuana has grown drastically over the years. This is not only smoking a plant anymore. Today, there are tinctures, distillates, edibles, crumble, shatter, dabs, the list goes on. If you’re smoking, lung issues can be a concern same as the concern exists with cigarettes (though far less due to fewer additives). There are even options for pills or suppositories with thc so the risk of lung damage is no longer a risk. If you’re searching for solutions to pain, psyche or even parkensens! Try thc. You may be surprised how well it works.

I know a lot of folks have their opinions about ‘stoners’ and I am not remotely ashamed to find something that works for my laundry list of symptoms. The labels I’ve been assigned to date are extensive and I have not taken pharmaceuticals faithfully since attempting suicide with klonopin and alcohol in winter 2017. For a good amount of time I was (allegedly) going to the streets for thc so that I could feel less unhinged. Unfortunately for me dealing with dealers means dealing with people who do not recognize the medical benefits and nuances of the plant to help, they’re just trying to make a sale.

Even with my awareness to my personal circumstances and the reasons why I am the way I am, I am still me. My moods swing and my physical pains flare up. Smoking has allowed me to manage my symptoms without using the 6+ pharmaceutical pills that the professionals wanted me to take–which didn’t seem to manage anything. I recognize the recreational use of thc that exists and pose the argument that even recreationally marijuana is a better option than what alcohol often provides–and it’s been legally wrecking lives. People who are stoned are more often than not, relaxed.

Now for a momentary disclaimer, whichever your drug of choice: these are numbing agents. Drugs help us cope with our struggles in existence. I have known folks who do -not- do well on thc, straight into a paralyzed paranoia with one pull and for those consumers I would not recommend torturing yourself that way. Find what works for you, none of us are identical in mind or body. This is what works for me.

Furthermore, alongside your drugs of choice, be sure to build your own support group. That can be made of a therapist, a close friend or someone you look up to. Existence can be exhausting and we do not have to travel the road alone. Marijuana is a tool not an all out cure! Please do all that you can to be better. You deserve it.

If you identify with the neurodivergent community, would appreciate an adult space with a focus on support and betterment, I’d like to invite you to check out my discord server! Where shame, blame and devaluation are discouraged while compassion and personal growth are encouraged. The server is designated mature (18+) and minors are promptly removed. Multiple categories allow Members to decide what sort of content they’d like to see from the server using selections in the #about-you channel after joining. You’re invited!