For a long time, I didn’t do well with my medication.
- I began meeting with a psychiatrist a few years ago, following the death of my spouse.
The doctor recommended that I try one-on-one therapy once a week along with group therapy every other week. He assigned me to a psychologist that specializes in grief counselling. I was making a bit of progress, but I had some problems with the medication. The psychiatrist had prescribed an SSRI antidepressant, which provided the opposite of the intended effects. Rather than stabilizing my mood swings, it created an unpleasantly stimulating effect on my mind. Angry and suicidal thoughts grew stronger and more frequent. I quickly realized I needed something different. I wanted to get through the intense grief without suffering long-term consequences to my health. That’s when I learned more about medical cannabis. I had smoked weed a few times when I was in school, but it was weak and resulted in nothing more than a tiny buzz. I accessed a website that was a wealth of information. It explained the strains of cannabis and the many benefits for a long list of medical ailments. The website included tabs linked to the laws of each state. The regulations vary quite a bit. However, in my local state, cannabis is available for medical and recreational use. I was able to drive to a dispensary, consult with a budtender and make a purchase. I can’t believe the improvement in such a short amount of time. I stick with the calming effects of indica strains and vary between pre-rolls, tinctures and edibles. I am beginning to feel like myself again.