Cannabidiol and substance-free living
With cannabis use becoming more part of the norm and with its legalization, the idea of altering the way we see the world is, for some, moving from a no-go option to a practice that can help ease the strains of life. For those who struggle with PTSD or other anxieties, cannabis can be a way to alleviate paranoia, anxiety, and mood swings without the use of prescription drugs.
Of course, there will be many who will overenthusiastically embrace the chance to legally alter themselves, such as what occurs with alcohol. Sobriety means different things to different people. Some alcoholics happily live with an occasional drink. They consider themselves on a path of sobriety. Others must go cold turkey forever. This is a different sobriety. Each can be effective and can bring happiness.
“Does using cannabidiol count as a strike against recovery or a substance-free lifestyle? This can lead into particularly tricky terrain as many people turn to cannabis products as a solution for all manner of ailments – from mental health to addiction. As we reckon with cannabis legalization as a country, perhaps what we really should be asking ourselves is how we’re going to redefine the traditional meaning of sobriety,” Amanda Scriver wrote in the Walrus.
“As cannabidiol gains popularity, we must give people the capacity to examine, evaluate, and possibly amend their own health, wellness, or recovery journey in a way that feels right for them. Yes, we need better medical understanding of cannabis and its related products, and yes, we also need training in the harm-reduction model. But we also need compassion and the courage to rethink old definitions,” Ms. Scriver wrote.
Masculinity tied to mental health
As a celebrity, Lenard Larry McKelvey, aka Charlamagne Tha God, makes his living being brash and bold. On his radio show, The Breakfast Club, he asks questions some do not want asked. But, like many, he is also anxious about the world. As a father, he worries about his daughters. As a black man, he worries about police brutality.
But unlike many, he has a forum and an audience. And he is using his forum to speak out about his fears and anxieties in the hope that it helps others deal with their demons. A recent example is his book, “Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks On Me” (Touchstone, 2018).
He is a strong advocate of therapy. “I go to therapy just to push those negative thoughts out of my mind. None of us can escape thinking negatively. Negative thoughts are going to pop up in your head. You’re going to have self-doubt sometimes; you’re going to be insecure sometimes. You’re going to worry about your kids; you’re going to worry about your wife, but it’s about pushing that %@C# out and not holding onto it. When you hold onto it, that’s when it grows,” he explained in an interview with the Boston Globe.
He espoused the freedom that comes from self-acceptance. “My whole life, people have said to me, ‘You can’t be soft.’ I don’t care about that anymore. I don’t care about how people perceive me when it comes to masculinity. You know what’s masculine? Masculine is taking care of your mind, your body, and your soul. We spend so much time on our body. We want that six-pack. But what about your mental health? What about your mental well-being? I go to the gym three, four times a week. Why can’t I put that same effort and same energy into getting mentally strong?”