Hosted by Candy Dinsmore-Bekaan
Theme music by Matthew DeMeritt

*Trigger warning: This episode talks about suicide attempt*

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Candy Dinsmore-Bekaan interviews Co-Founder of the Effective Cannabis Newsletter, Amy Matthews as she talks about her journey with Complex PTSD, regulating her nervous system and creating the space to allow healing to happen.

Timestamps for reference:

For the first 8:30 Amy is answering a question about her early career and how she came to where she is in the Cannabis business.

9:20 - Amy discusses psych meds and side effects and the start of her journey with Cannabis

10:05 - First question about Complex PTSD

10:18 - Mention and read from the The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook: Practical Mind-Body Tools to Heal Trauma, Foster Resilience and Awaken Your Potential by Arielle Schwartz, PhD

11:56 - CPTSD and common misdiagnosis

12:09 - Amy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and the journey that led to that diagnosis

14:14 - Pandemic as an aggravating factor leading to CPTSD diagnosis

14:55 - Bipolar label had been in place a long time and things had changed in the way mental health providers look at trauma over that time.

16:12 - Amy mentions the Texas Compassionate Use program (medical Cannabis)

16:48 - Amy mentions nervous system management as a key tool

17:15 - Amy & Candy discuss advocating for yourself with doctors and therapists

24:28 - What does it mean to calm or heal the nervous system?

28:19 - Amy was the queen of dismissing some of the very things that ultimately helped her

29:17 - Trigger reactions

31:12 - Finding compassion for herself

31:40 - Empowerment beyond just taking medication

32:12 - Lingering frustration and trigger around how long it took to be diagnosed

33:15 - Amy and Candy discuss the importance of feeling safe

34:00 - One of Amy's latest revelations about triggers

34:38 - The danger of our inner narrative

35:20 - Discussing flashbacks

36:56 - Inner child work

37:39 - Hypervigilince in CPTSD (and PTSD) 

38:30 - The conversation with Amy's inner child that changed everything

39:30 - Amy discusses parentification as a child

41:35 - How Amy uses Cannabis for CPTSD

45:27 - Stigma and Misconceptions about Cannabis

52:28 - How Amy used Cannabis during a serious medical issue and healed weeks in advance of what the doctors expected

53:10 - A reframe on a lifetime of suicidal ideation

54:34 - Advice to someone on a similar journey looking for resources

57:52 - The gifts that have come from this healing

59:04 - How Cannabis helped Amy with trauma

01:03:35 - About The Effective Cannabis Newsletter

01:05:22 - Dare to Share Collaborative Book Project

Learn more about Amy Matthews:
Grow House Community: https://www.growhousecommunity.com/
Subscribe to the Effective Cannabis Newsletter: https://www.effectivenewsletter.com/amymatthews
Effective Cannabis Newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecnewsletter/
Dare to Share: https://www.growhousecommunity.com/dare-to-share

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If you are struggling please reach out to a healthcare professional or the suicide prevention hotline:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Canada Suicide Prevention Service: 833-456-4566

About Pages of a Story:

Candy is a Holistic Practitioner, Cannabis Coach, musician, singer, songwriter, a mother, a wife, and a million other things and she is from Ontario, Canada.

Pages Of A Story was born as she started to share her story with others. The vulnerability and strength that comes from talking about your stuff can be so very healing, moving, and terrifying, but also very necessary. She wanted to create a platform for herself and others to be able to share our stories in a loving, supportive and compassionate way.

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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.