Submitted by Kyona from Southern California

I turn 50 this month. I have been dealing with anxiety and PTSD for over a decade.

I was dealing with PTSD from a few incidents

The last being a victim of an armed robbery at a dispensary 16 years ago. That violation was massively triggering and caused me to feel anxious around crowds and loud noises.

I have explored plant medicine for decades

Before using Cannabis intentionally, I relied on breath work, meditation, and other Ayurvedic and yogic practices to help stabilize my mood. My default was to microdose people and social interaction.

I was already crafting boutique Cannabis creations

For friends and family for a long while (self-taught from a gifted book- Marijuana Cooking: Good Medicine Made Easy, by Bliss Cameron and Veronica Greene) when I discovered the Wake + Bake blog.

I began my official Cannabis education in 2016 with the Holistic Cannabis Academy. Since that time, I have immersed myself in continuing education through the Wake + Bake Cannabis Coaching Masterclasses, Dr. Dustin Sulak's Healer Training Program and monthly webinars, Tammi Sweet's Medicine Making and Grow Courses, and Certified Cannabis Coach Michelle Crawford's Homemade Health courses to elevate my medicine-making game for myself and others.

It was years before I was ready to fly my Cannabis flag high

I was fortunate enough to be raised by parents who understood and honored the medicinal benefits of the Cannabis plant. However, I was still aware of the stigma, and it was years before I was ready to fly my Cannabis flag high. Now, there is rarely a moment that I am speaking with someone and don't find a way to bring conscious Cannabis consumption into the conversation.

I often start my morning with a homemade tincture of CBDA/CBD/THC

This tincture helps to get into the flow of the day. If needed, I will use a dry flower vaporizer for inhaled cannabinoids- usually a 1:1 blend of THC and CBD, or CBG. Or I will use a CBG/THC formula to improve focus.

When I need to chill out, I use a homemade multi-cannabinoid CBGA/CBDA/THCA/CBG/THC formula. And I may even indulge in a THC joint sprinkled with a little CBD flower and other botanicals for a nice wind-down.

Anxiety was overwhelming to the point of avoiding crowds and social activities

While I am still very selective of social interaction, conscious consumption elevates my self-care practices, soothes my nervous system, and eases these encounters. This allows me to share my light and be my authentic self.

This is Kyona's personal story and not meant to be medical advice. It is for informational purposes.

To work with a medical Cannabis professional, please visit our directory of coaches, educators, and medical professionals. Everyone's Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is different; good results start with the right approach. You don't have to figure it out on your own.

If you need help with any terminology in this article, you may find some answers in our glossary.

Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.