Before and After My Cannabis Transformation

They say that telling a story is the most effective way to share a message. And for this reason, I have decided to be open about my own cannabis story; perhaps, if I share the details of how I leveraged intentional cannabis use to transform my life, then someone else might be inspired to look into how focusing on endocannabinoid health can improve their own life. 

Below, I will share the key details of my cannabis transformation. Yes, transformation! Along with other healthful practices, including a new cardio routine and intentional nutrition, I used cannabis to transform my life and pull myself back from “the brink”.

You can also hear my cannabis story in the initial episode of the Bud and Blossom Podcast! Finding A Higher Purpose

Life Before Cannabis

In my mid-twenties, I found myself in a difficult spot. After a lifetime of struggling with my weight, I was at my heaviest ever. I was also dealing with severe burnout and chronic stress after years in a demanding corporate career. All of these difficulties were exacerbated when my best friend, Shannon, passed away in 2015 of a heroin overdose. My grief, stress, and unhealthy lifestyle left me feeling trapped and absolutely miserable. I was depressed, I was tired all the time, and I really just didn’t like my life anymore. I never looked forward to the next day; in fact, I dreaded it. I just wanted to stay in bed and hide all of the time. 

My physical difficulties left me feeling terrible every single day. I was inflamed and in pain, and during that time, I experienced my first significant bout of back pain that caused me to miss a full week of work. I was also overusing alcohol to quell my work stress and grief, and so many of the early morning drives into work were nothing short of painful. 

Mentally, the anxiety and depression were making a big impact on my life. I felt like I was going to hyperventilate every time I got to work, and the combination of coffee and checking my inbox in the morning was enough to send me into overdrive. I was also struggling to control my grief and cried probably every day for 9 months after the loss of my friend. 

Things got worse when my then-boyfriend went through a cancer scare. This moment only added to my grief and anguish, and I struggled to provide him with the care and comfort that he deserved during that moment. 

Finally, I decided enough was enough. I saw myself in photos from a dear friend’s wedding and didn’t even recognize the puffy and depressed girl in the pictures. I needed to do something or I was going to lose myself. So, I made a doctor’s appointment and started to brainstorm new ways to gain control over my health. 

Cannabis Transformation

The strategy I chose toward improved health was to engage in intentional cannabis use. Looking back, I am so thankful that I decided to explore the benefits of cannabis during my most difficult time. I am not sure what convinced me to take the cannabis plunge exactly, but it was something my boyfriend recommended, and also cannabis had been recently legalized in my home state of Washington. I also thought perhaps cannabis would help me take the edge off without alcohol. Cannabis ultimately did help me replace my alcohol habit… and so, so much more. 

In the evenings, rather than using alcohol, I would combine cannabis tinctures into sparkling water for my daily “canna cocktail”. I also used cannabis mints and edibles and started to use a cannabis vape pen, as well. 

Cannabis has helped me to become the happiest and sunniest version of myself!

Through cannabis use, I was able to cease the use of antidepressants, lose 70 pounds, and even adopt a new indoor bike routine. My knee, weakened by a sports injury that occurred when I was a teen, was less-inflamed after using cannabis, and this helped me to stay on the bike longer. Plus, when under the influence of cannabis, combining “hyphy” music and a bike ride actually became fun! 

My mental health improved so much after I incorporated cannabis into my life. First of all, cannabis provided me with a new approach to managing my grief. Under the influence, I was able to stare my grief right in the face and think about Shannon’s death without falling into pieces. It allowed me to focus on the beautiful aspects of my relationship with my friend instead of the overwhelming tragedy. Finally, I was able to let go around some of the guilt that I was holding onto around the circumstances of Shannon’s drug addiction and subsequent death. 

After a few months of using cannabis intentionally, I realized that I had become reinvigorated with my life. I no longer dreaded the next day, but was rather filled with the energy and ambition I needed to address my life and responsibilities head-on. I was promoted at work and found renewed confidence in my skills, abilities, and ultimately, my inherent value. 

Because cannabis helped so much with my personal health and happiness, it also aided me to become more present in my relationship with my partner. During this period of transformation, I got engaged to my boyfriend, now husband. Cannabis helped me prepare for my new life transition in so many ways, including continued weight loss and the creative vision required to throw a successful wedding ceremony. My husband and I also opted into a psychedelic trip one month before our wedding, which I truly believe helped me to fully embrace the fact that I was marrying an amazing man with a brilliant consciousness. 

On my wedding day, I felt bright and airy and absolutely present; my eyes were completely open as I stepped into married life. I felt like the glowing bride I had always imagined being. I don’t think many of my wedding guests could tell, but the benefits of plant medicine truly contributed to the entire day. 

Life After Cannabis

Now, I use cannabis throughout my life to maintain my health. I use CBD daily to reduce inflammation and stress, and I can feel a negative impact to my mental health when I don’t take the CBD. 

I also use THC-based products to help me get into a “flow state” which helps with my writing and is also leveraged for chores around the house. The psychoactive activity that results from THC also helps me find mindful moments where I can get in touch with my inner self. 

For more on my thoughts about how cannabis helps us to get in touch with ourselves, check out my guide: 6 Steps to Mindful Cannabis Use 

Cannabis also helps me medicate when I experience back pain to this day. My back pain gets pretty bad every few months, made worse by chronic stress (yikes!). Flare-ups include days-long bouts of pain with sudden spasms that can send me to my knees. When this occurs, my approach is to consistently take full-THC edibles until the flare-up has subsided. Cannabis medicine makes a world of difference and prevents the back spasms from occurring. Cannabis research shows that cannabinoids provide anticonvulsant properties, and I frequently benefit from this therapeutic result first-hand!

Cannabis also helps me to manage negative thoughts and compulsions. Cannabis tells me to take care of myself and, when under the influence, I am more inclined to listen. 

I have written more about how cannabis helps us to take care of ourselves in this article, Cannabis Encourages You to Take Care of Yourself

This isn’t to say that everything in my life is “perfect” now. Cannabis isn’t a panacea, and so I continue to navigate my own personal health challenges like everybody else, including weight management, back pain, and mental health challenges. But, I have cannabis to thank for helping me mitigate the impacts of life’s pains and stressors. When I feel like the sand is slipping through my fingers, I use cannabis to improve my mental headspace and reconnect with my body. It’s like my little superpower. Perhaps it could be yours, too!

As always, if you have any questions about getting started with cannabis wellness, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here for you!