Yes, you read that right. I'm thinking that this amazing CBD product had the *(see below for update) opposite affect on me despite discontinuing regular THC products. The truth is, I don't know. but before I continue with my pondering, here is what an MD (Peter Grinspoon, M.D., an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School, and the author of the memoir Free Refills: A Doctor Confronts His Addiction) says about CBD and psychiatric medications;
“CBD does have hypothetical drug interactions; the question is whether these are clinically important or not.”
The reason for this is that CBD inhibits two main enzyme systems, Grinspoon explains. Enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions in the body, and play an important role in functions like digestion and respiration. They also help you metabolize antidepressants. “One system is the same one that grapefruit inhibits — the technical name is the CYP34A enzyme system. So, just like grapefruit juice, CBD can cause your body to have higher doses of benzodiazepines [anti-anxiety medications], or certain antipsychotic medications,” Grinspon explains.
What’s more, Grinspoon says that CBD also inhibits “the system that metabolizes a lot of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and antipsychotics as well.” Meaning, taking CBD supplements while on these psychiatric medications could hypothetically interfere with how these medications are metabolized.
When I first started my CBD oil adventure several weeks ago, I thought I was a relatively established pothead and that adding CBD oil to my daily intake would, if anything, make my life easier. One thing is for sure, NuvitaCBD oil products were high quality and well researched. Just see their website for more information and laboratory data. My fibromyalgia pain was considerably down after consuming the product and I was also having an easier time working out despite sore muscles. However, even thought I felt confident enough to share the product with my blog readers, the truth is my anxiety was still pretty high. Too high. I didn't, and still don't, know for sure if the CBD oil was making it worse.
After consulting my nurse bff (thanks Holmes!) she suggested I try going without and see how I feel. So I stopped 4 days or so ago and....you guys my panic attacks stopped. They went from nightly to never. What the actual??? You guys, it was really scary having nightly panic attacks again. but I was also experience a huge life change. I quit my part time job and started concentrating on training with my husband doing mortuary transport runs. I know that type of job makes most people squeamish so I figured that was it. but after discontinuing the use the of the oil, my confidence in my job only skyrocketed and I'm really loving having such an important job that I can use my strong compassion while doing so. When I started my day with the oil, although my body felt great, my mind was causing a constant rush of flight or fight adrenaline to surge at any little slightly unpleasant thought or news. Which we know since it's 2020, that's happening on the regular.
So, I've quit all medical and recreational marijuana products completely just to be sure. The strange thing is that I did the same thing around this time last year but was doing it for different reasons; We were actively trying to get pregnant. However, I do remember around November last year having more of an issue with marijuana causing anxiety than it does during the summer. I do know that I have SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Like clock work, my depression shows up in the fall since I can remember. I especially remember this beginning to happen around 8th grade or so and it's been like that since. Depression and anxiety go hand in hand for me. Is one related to the other? A vicious cycle? Who knows? But if you recall this blog, you'll remember that I realize that any substance that we ingest, from food to medicine, can affect us in all sorts of funky ways. I decided that I need to be a drug free bumble bee for a while until everything evens out. No, it's not fun or glamorous. but my health and sanity are worth it. I've talked about how recently I had my anxiety medication upped and I need to give all of my medication a good and honest try without anything else getting in it's way.
So I'm sober for Christmas and I'm completely fine with that. I have enough Christmas cheer and imagination to entertain myself anyways. What things that you enjoy are you abstaining from for health reasons, if anything? I also try to abstain from sugar as much as possible and this time of year, not very likely but my yearly batch of Christmas sugar cookies are almost gone and I know my system will be relieved when I stop eating a cookie, or two, a day.
Thanks for stopping by today and I'm wishing you a very happy and healthy Christmas-eve-eve!
*update this morning before posting- I had another really bad panic attack last night so I don't think it's completely the CBD doing this. However, I'm still abstaining for now.
Comments
Post a Comment