By Seth MacKenzie
IG: @culinaryanarchy
culinaryanarchy.com
Anyone who has been diagnosed with PTSD or anxiety will tell you, panic attacks are nothing to make light of, and I speak from experience. Though I showed signs for years, I tried to tough it out and avoid dealing with the situation while self-medicating. Once things got bad enough for me to have to go to the Doctor, it started to get a bit better. I won’t criticize Western medicine or tell you to get off your meds, but I will say that I tried a few and the side effects were often worse than the disorder and changing meds and or weaning myself off has never been what I would describe as an enjoyable experience.
What I have found to work is a combination of several things, but for legal reasons, I must remind you that I am not a Doctor and before you make any major changes to your lifestyle you should talk in depth about your individual situation with a professional. That being said, Marijuana, Meditation, and exercise are what I find keep me on balance and allow me to minimize my symptoms. Alas, not all Marijuana is created equally, and we are lucky enough to live in the Golden Age of Ganja where you can find strains tailor made for your needs.
First off, CBD is your friend, and I thought it was a joke at first, but I gave it a shot and was amazed the first time I used it as I’m not the kind of person to pay money for weed that doesn’t get me stoned. It instantly calms you down yet doesn’t make you feel tired or lethargic at all. Here are a few of my favorite stains that I keep on hand when I need more medicinal relief while still needing to stay focused.
CBD Kush: This strain runs at equal parts CBD and THC at around 7% for each. Considering that most strains now test at 20% or above, this sounds low, and yet the CBD Kush provides needed relief with a just a bit of fun thrown in for good measure.
Grape Ape: This Indica packs a lot of flavor into a very relaxing high that’s not too overwhelming for the casual user yet is strong enough to put your mind at ease. Honestly, one of the best-tasting strains that I’ve ever tried.
Afghani CBD: Not only is this one great for both pain relief and anxiety, but it’s also an instant cure for insomnia. Very earthy and almost spicy, this strain is great when you just need to let go for a while.
Sweet and Sour Widow: An indica dominant hybrid, this one also boasts a 1:1 CBD/THC ratio and offers a very relaxing body high without fogging up your head as some of the stronger strains. True to its name, it is a very flavorful strain with a strong aroma.
Timewreck: Last but not least is this award winning strain that packs a punch with minimal effort and should be used with care. For moderate users, only a small amount is needed to feel the effects in full while too much may cause paranoia. Since it’s a Sativa dominant hybrid, it’s not great for insomnia. Instead, it offers a very positive and upbeat high perfect for turning your frown upside down.
This is but a small sample of what is available but should give you a good idea of what you’re looking for. As always, your local budtender is your friend, and they are more than willing to help you find the strain or strains that are perfect for you.
