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Ibd Sufferers: You Can End the Struggle

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Ibd Sufferers: You Can End the Struggle

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis eight years ago, and I was told that I would likely struggle with flare-ups for the rest of my life. I heard stories of other sufferers who had to eventually have their colons removed, and I became determined to not become part of this statistic. I was prescribed a daily medication that helps manage my condition, and although I don't like taking pills, I realize I need it to keep my colon healthy. I still experienced flares, so I began an elimination diet recommended by my doctor and found my "trigger" foods. I have now been flare-free for two years! I created this blog to help remind others with IBD that there is hope. You can end the constant struggle if you work with your doctor to try different methods of controlling your disease.

3 Benefits Of Cannabis For Your Mental Health

11 February 2019
 Categories: Health & Medical , Blog

The war against drugs in the United States has been shifting focus for some time. States are slowly legalizing marijuana while the federal government looks away, far more concerned with the explosive opioid and heroin epidemic. The faces of Americans who use marijuana reflect its growing shift from illicit drug to a plant with incredible medicinal benefits. One area marijuana can assist most is in the area of mental health. Here's a look at three reasons to visit your local cannabis dispensary. 

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Soldiers who come back from extended tours in high-conflict war zones often suffer from what used to be commonly referred to as "combat fatigue" or "shell shock." Soldiers can have a difficult time returning to civilian life and re-assimilating. They can be so traumatized by their experiences that "normal" life becomes virtually impossible. Their family and friends are incapable of fully understanding the intense, almost unbearable range of emotions someone suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is going through. In addition to soldiers, people who have suffered traumatic events, such as rape, can also develop the intrusive thoughts and constant replaying of events. Cannabis use seems to greatly reduce the memory loop that PTSD sufferers get stuck in, enabling them to better perform the activities of daily life.

2. Anxiety

It seems that the more technology advances, the more complicated life has become. For some people, modern life can be quite anxiety-inducing. Increasing traffic, increasing crime, increasing costs, increasing competition—all these factors and more make scraping by and scratching out a life so much more difficult. Some people escape to a simpler life, deciding to just get off the treadmill and drop out of the rat race. Not everyone has the luxury of this, however, and instead must deal with the constant stress of trying to cope. Medical marijuana will take the edge off. Instead of constant worry and anxiety, the cannabis user can stop and breathe and relax for a while again.

3. Depression

Occasionally depression is due to circumstance, but more often, it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Depression can be an extremely debilitating condition, and it can, unfortunately, lead to devastating consequences if it goes untreated. The bad thing is, the cure can often be worse than the ailment. Pharmaceutical drugs aren't the answer for everyone, and the side effects, such as suicidal ideation, can be downright terrifying. Marijuana can help alleviate depression without the scary side effects of prescription drugs.