#like the degree to which I have enjoyed school has been so fucking hampered by the existence of online classes

[clingyduoapologist]

I fucking hate online classes so much like if you put me in a fucking classroom I will thrive I will eat up every lecture make me learn shit in front of a computer and I will start malding go feral I will rip my hair out

[secondgenerationnerd]

People Can Change

Author’s Note: HELLO MY LOVES! Sorry for the radio silence. I am in the middle of moving and life is crazy. But the wonderful @hauntedfishponyturkey requested this fic! It is very early so please excuse any spelling mistakes! Enjoy!

Warnings for swearing and underage drinking         

There are very few things that Irey West hates in her life. Brussel sprouts. People that look for misery. Bullies at school. Villains that try to kill her or her family. You know, the standard things in life. But probably right at the top is visiting the Watchtower with her father for Justice League business. At 12, she’s still too young to be in the meetings, but he brings her anyway. This usually leaves her on her own for a few hours. She doesn’t mind that. She minds that she can’t stretch her legs the way she really wants to.

         She jogs around the watch tower (well…her version of a jog…which is like an Olympic runner’s sprint). Irey’s bored out of her mind. Mar’I had dance class so she isn’t here. Lian and Jai are both grounded after a prank on Atom went wrong. Jon had chores. Milagro is on Oa. Colin in Gotham. There’s no one else for her to hang out with-

         “HEY!” Irey, lost in thought, hadn’t noticed someone come into her path. Too late, she tries to stop, crashing into him. He looks like her Uncle Dick…but younger and much…much shorter. With much angrier eyes. Eyes that are locked on her,” Watch where you’re going, carrot top.”

         “Sorry I was lost in thought.” They stand up. His eyes narrow at her bright red hair and dark green eyes. Irey knows she looks more like her father, almost to an absurd degree, but she’s never felt bad about it.

         “You’re a speedster. How much thought can you be lost in?” While Irey resembles her father, she is still very much her mother’s daughter. She notices his Robin uniform.

         “We’re significantly smarter than the bat family, even if it does take a second for them to catch up.” The other boy-Robin- scowls at her.

         “Whatever you say, Gingersnap.”

         “You’re a jerk!”

         “And you’re still an idiot!” Somehow this quickly devolves into them fist fighting. Her dad and Uncle Dick-who it turns out is the older adopted brother of this jerk- pull them off each other.

         “Damian!” Uncle Dick shouts.

         “Iris!” Her dad shouts. Irey glares at Damian,” Iris, you know better!”

         “Damian, you know you’re not supposed to hurt other people!”

         Nothing the older men helps. The two preteens glare at each other with venomous hatred. Irey can now add something else to the list of things she hates.

         Damian Wayne.

         17-year-old Irey can’t believe her brother is this stupid. And she tells him as much.

         “Do you just enjoy being grounded?” She asks, leaning against the doorframe. Her twin rolls his eyes.

         “I’m not going to get grounded! Mom and dad said they aren’t coming back until Sunday. It’s Friday. So even if they come back tomorrow, I can have the place cleaned up easily.”

         “Not the party, dumbass. Mom and dad will probably just be happy we didn’t blow anything up. I’m talking about breaking into dad’s cabinet and stealing the recipe for his speedster booze.”

         “Again, they’ll never know.” Jai gives his sister a charming smile. She rolls her eyes.

         “Who all is coming?” Irey reaches up, retying her ponytail.

         “Mar’I, Jon, Colin, Milagro, Lian- “Irey rolls her eyes when he mentions his girlfriend’s name, along with a few other young heroes,” And…Damian”

         “…I’m calling mom- “Jai grabs her before she can get to her phone.

         “It was the only way to get Mar’I here. Please? One-night truce? For your brother who you love so much?”

         “…You clean up the party by yourself. No matter how hung over you are.”

         Jai grabs her face and kisses the top of her head (damn genetics for making him four inches taller than her),” You’re the best sister ever!”

         “I know.” Irey goes to her room to change out of her pajamas. Normally for a summer party she’d go with high waisted shorts and a crop top with a hoodie over it, plus her trusty beat up converse. However, this is her house and she’ll be damned if Damian fucking Wayne thinks she dressed up for him. She decides on a plain yellow tank top and red flannel shirt unbuttoned over it. She searches for her favorite pair of skinny jeans, finding them in the laundry hamper. She decides to brush her long red hair out.

         I really should cut this she thinks. Chances are it’s going to get her killed eventually. But not tonight. Jai knocks on her door. She gags at the smell of his aftershave.

         “They’re all here!”

         To be fair to Jai, it took about an hour for things to devolve into madness. Mar’I and Jon, with similar metabolisms to Jai and Irey, are trashed on the speedster booze. Both are naturally happy people, so Jon laughs as Mar’I floats in the air. Irey keeps an eye on her, as Mar’I decided on a spaghetti strap tank top…which doesn’t exactly keep her tatas in place. Milagro and Colin are in the backyard with Suren and Sin, laughing and plaster on the normal booze.

         Jai and Lian had disappeared a while ago. Irey has no interest in walking in on them so she sits on her couch, ignoring her friends and playing video games on her tablet. The couch sinks and she looks up. Damian offers her an uninterested glance.

         “West.”

         “Wayne.”

         “I’ve been informed we have a truce. And you are the only one that isn’t inebriated.” He offers her a cup of whiskey.

         “I’m not worth the drink. Burn through it too fast to even get buzzed.”

         “I’m trying to be nice. Take the damn drink.” She sighs and takes the drink. She winces at the burn,” So what have you been up to?”

         “I suppose the same as you. Balancing two lives. Though you actually have school to go to. I prefer homeschool.”

         “No one to argue with you when you’re wrong?” She uses her super speed to get an actual drink. If she’s talking to her archenemy, she’s going to need it.

         “That’s part of the reason. The other is I tend to…find myself arguing with my administration about my grades…” Irey actually laughs at that. They talk a little more and both are letting down their guard.

         Irey won’t lie. The more they talk, the less she finds herself looking for reasons to hate him. And she also checks him out a bit. Since they’re first meeting, every time they’ve had to meet up, they have been on hero business…and there were too many other heroes to keep them from killing each other. When they’d met he had been skinny and didn’t wear much past his Robin Uniform. But now…She can definitely see the muscles under his button down. Irey isn’t sure if it’s the booze but she thinks he might be checking her out.

         “You know… Irey…” That’s definitely the booze. He doesn’t use her nickname ever,” …I never apologized for the day we met…when we fought…”

         “We were kids. Probably held a grudge about it for too long. I should have been paying attention.”

         “Still doesn’t excuse my behavior. I’m sorry, Irey.”

         “I forgive you. I’m sorry, Damian.” Damian nods. Jon and Mar’I are making out in their corner, which Irey isn’t shocked about. But Damian doesn’t seem happy,” Um… I don’t know if you care, but I have those designs you requested. I was going to email them to you later.”

         “Thank you.” They make they’re way into her bedroom. Irey pulls up the file on her computer. She’s very aware of his hand on the small of her back. They’ve gone from barely able to stand each other to him in her room, touching her back,” These are excellent. As always.”

         “You think so?” Irey’s shocked.

         “Of course. Just because I disliked you doesn’t mean I can’t admire your work.”

         “Disliked? Past tense?” His eyes aren’t as angry as she remembers.

         “Well…Things change. People grow.” She must be drunker than she thought…Or maybe he’s drunk…Maybe both of them? But Damian’s a lot closer than she thought.

         “And…how do you know if I’ve changed?” She’s very aware that his hands are on her hips. She’s also aware that she doesn’t want him to take them away.

         “Because…If you hadn’t…If I hadn’t…I would feel confident to try this…” He leans down and kisses her. Irey doesn’t even hesitate before kissing him back. Damian pulls back,” I’m sorry. I shouldn’t do this when we’re…not ourselves.”

         “You’re right…” Irey pulls back. “Talk about it tomorrow?”

         “Agreed…”

         Irey will admit she was wrong. Jai ends up cleaning up the party, horribly hung over. Irey keeps touching her lips, wondering if Damian would keep his promise. Jai has a little pep in his step after seeing his girlfriend and spends the day whistling. She grabs her jacket,” Be back later.”

         “Where are you going?”

         “Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers too.” She runs to Gotham, thankful to stretch her legs. She follows the directions to the building Damian wanted to meet on. Irey smiles when she sees him, for the first time ever. He’s in a dark corner, with a dark jacket,” Hey…”

         “Hi.” He walks towards her,” Do you want to talk about last night?”

         “Yeah…But mostly, do you regret it?”

         To her surprise, he doesn’t hesitate,” No. I only regret not doing it sooner.”

         “Really?”

         “Of course. You’re beautiful.” Irey’s been called many things by boys, but beautiful hasn’t been one of them. She’s always been skinnier, meaning lacking curves.

         “How long have you regretted it?”

         “Not kissing you…about two years…being hateful to you…pretty much the first day.” He’s closer to her again. Irey looks up at him.

         “Me too…” Irey doesn’t realize she meant it until she says it. But she doesn’t regret it. Damian’s hands are on her hips again.

         “Do you regret the kiss?”

         “No…I was kind of mad when you stopped.” He’s leaning closer. Irey smiles, closing her eyes.

         “Let’s see if I can fix that…”

         He kisses her again. And Irey kisses him back.

         There aren’t many things that Irey West hates in this world.

         And Damian Wayne isn’t one of them.

[cbdhn-blog]

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

Paul started taking CBD to be a better father. The New Jersey dad of two's high-pressure, high-rewards job was taking a toll. Work days left him feeling depleted and on edge. He'd get home wired and checked out, feeling like it was impossible to be patient with his boys.

“You go from one job to the next,” he said. “You go to work all day and come home to a five and a seven year old and they were at their job all day - school - and now they want to turn it up and rage.”

Paul hoped the hemp-derived product, which is said to reduce anxiety, would help him find the peace of mind he needed to be present in those moments of high-energy family time. So, on a work trip, he ducked into a store with a tie-dye banner and walked out with $40 worth of CBD gummies.

A few months later, he says he's noticed modest gains. He brings less work stress homeand stops channeling that anxiety onto his children. “I feel less inclined to give as many fucks about what they are doing and not helicopter dad as much,” he said. “I try to go with the flow.”

The hemp extract Cannabidiol, or CBD, is everywhere these days. You can find CBD-infused versions of candies, lattes, beer, bath bombs, lotions, lubes, and pretty much every product you can think of. These items aren't sitting past the beaded curtain in head shops, either. They're available online, at corner stores, and high-end boutiques. CBD will only become more ever-present. According to the cannabis industry analysis company New Frontier, the CBD market is expected to grow by 700 percent into a $2 billion industry by 2022.

These numbers are easy to understand. CBD supposedly aids sleep, relieves pain, and reduces stress. The plant-based compound also isn't habit forming and low-key enough to take around family or kids. It's becoming more and more of an option for those who want to de-stress or at the least not let their anxieties rub off on their loved ones. It's no surprise then that parents are among the most avid consumers. Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase. But is it worth the hype? 

***

Researchers have been aware of Cannabidiol since the late 18th century when it was the first of the more than 60 natural cannabinoid compounds. Scientists were able to synthesize it as early as the mid '60s. Like all cannabinoids, CBD is derived from hemp plant resins. Unlike its more famous fellow marijuana-derived chemical compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD doesn't get you stoned. Instead, it has a calming effect.

While CBD has been used to help fight seizures and chronic pain, it's the anxiety-battling properties and lack of brain-fog that have become its big, bold selling point. A 2013 study found evidence that CBD alleviates anxiety by increasing prefrontal cortex activation and lowering activity in the amygdala, the two areas of the brain involved in anxiety while activating CB1 receptors to restore balance to GABA and glutamate levels, further reducing anxiety. THC also binds with CB1 receptors, but activates the brain's dopamine reward system while also interfering with brain mechanisms that regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, cognition, and emotions.

  Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase.

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele,” Pittsburgh functional medicine practitioner Will Cole said. “Both you are your grandma will love it as CBD oil doesn't contain the same cannabinoids that are considered psychoactive.”

CBD does have it's concerns, however. Longstanding prohibitions on studying marijuana have only loosened recently and not entirely. For example, researchers can only study marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi, which grows marijuana under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse. With restrictions hampering research into hemp products overall and CBD being relatively new, researchers, while armed with convincing theories, don't yet know exactly how it operates in the brain and body.

Then there's also the issue of legality. CBD is available in most parts of the United States, but its legal status is somewhat murky. States have varying degrees of restriction. In the 10 states with legal marijuana, CBD is legal as well. Some states, like New York, allow commercial sales. Alabama, however restricts CBD use to medical purposes only. Georgia, meanwhile, only permits it to be prescribed to people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and seizure disorders.

  The farm bill released by the FDA in December legalized non-THC hemp products across the board. While that should include CBD, some legal experts suggest that it may not. Nonetheless, the bill should be good news for CBD users, as it permits states to decide on laws about CBD sales and it differentiates hemp-derived products from marijuana and therefore removes CBD from the DEA's list of controlled substances.

Despite some gray areas, CBD has crossed some hurdles. A World Health Organization report on CBD determined it was safe when taken on its own but suggested that problems could arise when CBD is taken with other drugs. 

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele.”

  Dr. Rachna Patel, a medical cannabis specialist and a leading expert on CBD, added that, while CBD isn't addictive or life-threatening, moderation is key. “If you take it too often [for pain relief] it's going to make your pain worse, believe it or not,” she said. Like other cannabinoids, CBD has a biphasic effect, meaning low and high doses can produce opposite results. And while someone can't overdose from CBD, taking too much leads to a bad time.

“You could feel dizzy. You could feel really groggy, you could feel really lethargic,” she said. “You're just not going to overall feel good.”

Still, by all measures, CBD seems like it was synthesized precisely for our high-stress, burn out-prone times. In fact, there's some persuasive evidence that use is high among those with kids. Dr. Patel, for instance, has found that while CBD cuts across ages, it peaks with people between 40 and 60.

“That's when humans in general start to experience a lot of pain,” Patel said. “Their body is starting to wear down on them.”

Knowing all this, why wouldn't stressed-out parents want to give CBD a try? 

***

While CBD sounds ideal for dads in theory, in practice the results seem mixed. The CBD-users with whom I spoke were reserved in their praise. Still, the consensus wasn't dismissive - the phrase “it's worth a shot” appeared just as often.

Sean, a father of one from Chicago bought a pack of CBD gummies after a friend recommended them. He enjoys the effect and says he likes the idea of popping one after a particularly long day at the office. “I wouldn't say that it's a major change; it just settles me a bit. It's nice to feel that calm and be in a good headspace for my family when I had a bad day,” he says. “It's easy to bring that stress home.”

Sean added that, around his family, he feels more comfortable popping one than he does drinking a few beers. “There's something more PG about it,” he says. “Either way, it's an occasional thing.”  (Sean was quick to add that he keeps his gummies in the locked glove compartment of his car so his toddler won't accidentally stumble upon them.)

  “It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,”

  For some dads, however, CBD's effect is too close to that of THC. Tom, a father of two from Jersey, tried CBD when he sprained his back. While it didn't help his pain, as a regular marijuana user, it reminded him enough of smoking pot to be a disappointing and confusing tease.

“It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,” he said. “It's not alcoholic but there's this weird psychological effect that [makes you think] you'd feel stoned even though there's nothing.”

CBD, then, may be a little counter-intuitive for anybody who first smoked marijuana after being promised it would blow their mind. That's why so many tried marijuana in the first place. If CBD doesn't induce giggling fits or make music seem transcendently face-melting, what's the point?

But many dads taking CBD aren't looking to get high. They know what marijuana's like and have generally positive feelings about it. They're looking for calm or relief from pain.

Dan, a dad of two from California, said his local coffee joint serves a cold brew with CBD. “It's a pretty good way to get hyper and de-stressed at the same time,” he said. “Wouldn't say it's life changing exactly, but it does seem good for anxiety and a bit of calm.”

Dan said he felt the advertised calm of CBD but added that “honestly it's hard to sort out whether it's a placebo or not.”

  “Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  Chris, a New York City father of two, is a long-time CBD user. He searched out the substance several years ago after a health food store employee recommended it for his sciatica back pain.

“I wanted to feel relaxed and get my muscles to relax,” Chris said. “I didn't necessarily need to be stoned. I didn't need the euphoria necessarily. I just needed the sedation.”

CBD didn't cure his back pain but it made it far more bearable. As it did so, it also turned down the volume on his anxiety.

“I was like, Wow, okay,” he said. “I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

Despite his positive experience, Chris said it's not a cure for pain, but rather a tool for managing it. Dr. Patel said this was typical for people who treat pain with CBD.

“If you're in severe pain, don't expect the CBD oil to just poof, and magically get rid of it overnight,” she said. “It'll drop down realistically, mild to moderate levels.”

***

It's a common concern to try CBD and find it doesn't do anything at all. I don't have to travel far for an example. My personal CBD experience was underwhelming. I bought a vial of oil from a smoke shop to help my lower back pain. It didn't have an effect and I ended up turning instead to my usual regimen of bourbon, heat pads, and Aleve.

When I told Dr. Patel CBD didn't work for me, she suggested that the product I took may not have contained CBD at all. The FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use, the epilepsy seizure drug Epidiolex. Otherwise, CBD is unregulated and unpredictable. A 2017 JAMA study tested 84 CBD products and found that only about a third of them accurately reflected the CBD it contained. The Food and Drug Administration has warned several CBD companies about mislabeling their products. Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  “I was like, Wow, okay. I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

  Of course, CBD products are an unregulated market with wild west rules. People have to be very discerning about what products they choose but there's scant information to go on. Chris said he quality controls by buying CBD products made from certified organic hemp. Patel said the best indicator for CBD quality is if the packaging states the product has been laboratory tested by a third-party, independent state-licensed lab. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that the ingredients of a CBD product aren't just something you already have in your kitchen.

“The amount of CBD can vary,” Patel said. “But it's important to know the exact amount because there have been some products that the FDA has found where they had little-to-no CBD in them. You don't want to be paying ridiculous amounts of money for a one-to-two ounce bottle of basically vegetable oil.”

Buyers definitely want the product to have some CBD, but getting more specific about dosage is elusive. There's no not a one size fits all correct dose. Effective dosages seem to vary from person to person, with bodyweight driving much of the variance.

Still, CBD offers a salve for some. After using it for three months, Paul bought into the CBD hype and would recommended it to dads trying to carve out some calm. He thought it was helping but suspected there might be a placebo effect at play, particularly when he considered the unscientific methodology he used for his CBD experiments.

“To be fair, most nights there is a cold eight-percent 16 oz craft IPA making its way into my dad bod as well,” he said.

via: 

Adam Bulger Fatherly January 11, 2019 https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/cbd-pros-cons-anxiety-parents/

[far-off-flower-fields]

Don’t mind me just find more random questions to answer to distract me until I’m tired enough to sleep.

How many times each morning do you press the snooze button? I don’t usually have to set alarms these days.

What time of day do you like to shower? Night

When you go out to eat, what sides do your order with your food? Usually no sides because I’m not rich and if I have to pick between a side and a dessert I will get dessert.

What do you spend more money than necessary on?  I’m bad with money, toys probably, or clothes. I buy second hand, but I shouldn’t be buying anything that isn’t specifically planned in advance right now since I need to save to move.

What video game or computer game are you best at?  I’m really bad at games, so maybe Sims 4 or something. I like games, I play them when I have the energy, I just really suck.

How do you normally come across new music?  Spotify, sometimes my Fiance.

What do you keep your keys on?  A turtle keyring.

Is your favorite color different than your favorite color to wear? Not really, I wear a lot of pastel colours, and they’re my favourites. Although I also wear neutrals and black if I’m doing a different look since my wardrobe is like 4-in-1 because I’m a million people at once. 

Do you buy books or get them from the library?  I used to read all the time, I’d go to the library and hire like 7 books and go through a book a day. Now I can’t concentrate so I just don’t read. I have several books in my posession that I need to read though if I ever get better.

What section of the food pyramid do you neglect the most?  I say fuck the food pyramid.

Do you check PostSecret weekly?  I have no idea what that even is.

What do you use your stovetop for most?  Sitting things on. Or pasta. I made hokey-pokey the other month though to use up the last of the syrup someone bought.

Do you notice the impact of the economic recession? Yes, I saw so many posts on Gumtree of people having to give up their pets for financial reasons and it was really heart breaking.

Would you enjoy living somewhere where it's sunny all the time? Absolutely not. The sun gives me headaches and migraines. 

What is it that you always seem to lose?  My will to live xD Honestly though I lose like everything because I have to keep my entire life in a single room of my parents house rn.

Have you ever broken any bones?  One, because I couldn’t handle the thought of going to work. I’m more prone to tendon damage.

What is your winter coat like?  Which one? I have a mint green one which is waterproof and fluffy inside, I have a brown duffle coat one that flares out a bit, and I have a grey long coat. I also had to declare bankruptcy.

Do you keep dirty clothes in a hamper, or on the floor?  Both, I have a system.

Which decade's music do you like best?:  I can’t pick. 

Can you focus on studying if there's music on?  Yes, as well as I can really focus in general.

In what types of situations do you demand absolute silence?  When I have a migraine or sensory overload.

Did you do well at fitness testing in grade school?  NO. PE is the only class I failed.

If you had to choose a wardrobe to steal, who's would you pick? No, I have worked hard on mine to get it to the point its at.

If you had to pick one thing to bring back from the 90's, what would it be? Most of that stuff has already come back in one form or another, or never really gone away. Like you can get the toys second hand, furby has been rereleased like 3 times, clothes you can also still get second hand and the styles are pretty easy to copy anyway. 

What about the 80's?  Same as above.

Do you share any of your music taste with your parents?  I share parts of my music taste with pretty much everyone, I have a really varied music taste, there isn’t a single genre I can say that I hate all of, there are ones I’m fairly unfamiliar with but I always loved music so I like a lot of it.

Could your parents tell when you would fake sick? I was sent in whether I was sick or not so there was no point in even trying. Only way I was allowed off was if I literally threw up in front of them which didn’t happen much, or the few occasions where my allergies gave me conjunctivitis.

Do you own more shoes or less shoes than the average person? More.

Do you still have anything from when you were a baby?  I have a Quasimodo plushie that I had when I was like 3. My parents always threw everything away or gave it away so I don’t even really have baby pictures, except like one I got from my grandparents place when they died.

Are there any stores that send you e-mail newsletters? A couple, but that’s just from buying things in the past.

Do you think people overuse the word "random"?  Now not so much, but back in the 00s and early 10s it was used a lot more.

How often do you floss?  Never, my teeth are a bit overcrowded so I can’t fit the floss in without pain and bleeding. 

Do you use hairspray much?  Never, I used it for a couple of stage shows I was in when I was a lot younger and that was about it.

Who is your favorite painter? I don’t really have one because there are so many, if I’m picking out of just the really famous ones then either Monet or Van Gogh.

Are art museums interesting or boring to you?  Interesting

What subject in school do you feel is the least necessary? PE needs significant changes to be at all worth the cost of running it. Once I hit my 20s I found out that there actually are some physical activities that I enjoy and missed out on. I think they should make it more free-form, if the concern really is health then surely letting people find and do the fitness tasks that work for them is better. If I’d been brought into a gym with actual gym equipment and they explained, okay, this does this, and this does this, try things out with a spotter and see what you like and what works for you, I’d have been much better of and have had some degree of physical fitness by now. They could also have offered option modules where instead of forcing everyone to do the same shit they let you pick, then I’d have been able to do yoga and dance and skipped out on the team sports they were pushing that literally lead to so much bullying and injuries because it’s about being competitive so they can send they sport inclined kids off to do competitions and win the school more money for the sports department and it’s a big nasty cycle of, damage some kids in favour of others, and lie to them all while making it compulsory for several years. Sorry this is a big ol’ sore spot with me because it is hugely indicative of many of the issues with many school systems in general, and while kidding on it’s for the youth, is actually just hurting them. FUCK. 

When you were a kid, what games did you always play on the playground? I had like two modes, there was the days where people would play with me and we’d mash-up characters from the shows/movies we were watching (mostly charmed, totally spies, and xmen) and play as them in this whole made up world. Other days I’d walk around the tennis court trying to stay on the lines if it was empty or I’d just walk around the school daydreaming.

Do you enjoy power outages or do you get annoyed? I’m scared of the dark so I’m more afraid than annoyed. If I’m in the right situation it can be okay, but I never am because I don’t live with my Fiance and we can never afford candles.

Do you know how to use an ATM?  Yes.

How about write a check? No.

Are you in to your heritage much?  Sort of, not of my specific family, but Scotland’s cultural history and the like is interesting.

Are you pretty politically correct?  I resent that term, it’s like the term “cancelled” where some brat decided to make it into something controversial to be nice, and considerate, and tactful, or to hold others accountable and expect them to hold themselves accountable. These are basic things you should be doing, do you need to use slurs? NO what are you losing by not using them? Nothing. What are you gaining by using them? Nothing. We gain nothing as a society by being intentionally offensive or winding folk up. You’re not thought provoking, we already came to the conclusion that certain things are shit, the next step isn’t to continue with your jokes, it’s to stop that shit and do the right thing to the best of your ability. FFS what does it cost people to just be nice? NOTHING.

What is one fashion trend you'll never understand? Some of the shoes the now are, lumpy and weird? Like they stick out in places I can’t imagine being practical. Also mullets.

What do you wear when you exercise?  Ummmm depends what I was wearing immediately beforehand, if it’s fine then I just stick with that since I don’t do anything especially heavy-duty. If it’s not, I just grab some sort of top and shorts or leggings, whatever I put my hand on first honestly. A lot of the time I’m just wearing onesies with little monsters all over and they’ll do the job so I just stay in them.

What is usually the last thing you do before you go to bed? It varies, sometimes I put on some rain sounds or something. The only consistent thing is that I have to go to the loo whether I need to or not, that’s one of those things I assumed literally everyone did but it turns out they don’t and I just held onto the methods that were used to toilet train me as a bub xD If I’m alone I also have a system I have to use to check the doors are locked or I can’t sleep and have to get back up to check, but I don’t have the house to myself that often so...

[canaryatlaw]

Well today was pretty chill. I slept as long as I want being that I didn't have to wake up and do any reading, and I woke up some time around 1:30 I believe after being in and out of sleep for a while. Ate some oatmeal, then got dressed and walked to the grocery store that's conveniently located around the block from me. I hadn't got a chance to go grocery shopping since being back from Christmas break, and of course I was gone for like 3 weeks so I had like no perishable foods left, and I've had no time to make real meals so I've basically been surviving off different sorts of instant meal microwave cups that just add water (oatmeal, easy mac, instant mashed potatoes, rice a roni....you get the drill). So it was definitely time for some actual food, lol, so I bought quite a bit. Since I start work again next week I'll have to be packing at least 5 meals a week (one on Monday, two on Tuesday and Thursday) so I needed options for that, so I got some yogurt and sandwich stuff (I'm super picky because I don't like most sandwich stuff so it has to be just right or I won't want to eat it) along with other basic stuff like blueberries and cheese sticks and a few snacks, so it was pretty productive I'd say. I also got some stuff to make actual meals, like ground turkey and ingredients to make stroganoff with it, and some other stuff for chicken meals since I have a ton of chicken sitting in my freezer. And yeah, it was good. Walked back and dragged it all up the stairs to my apartment and put it away. After that was done I started pretty much immediately on my room which desperately needed to be tended to. I basically just had one giant mountain of clothing on my floor, so I had to sort through that and go by my best guess of what's dirty and what's not, so I filled up my hamper and then another huge bag with dirty clothes, so I'll have to do like 4 loads of laundry over the weekend (thank god I have a ton of quarters). I didn't get it all done, but I got a good amount of the clean clothes put away too, so it's a good start. I did that until 4 or so, and then I started getting ready to go to mock trial practice. I debated different routes because it was kind of cold, but ultimately said fuck it and just did my normal and it really wasn't bad. It's just that there's really no other direct route that doesn't involve buses and changing, and buses are so unreliable and can leave you stranded so easily, and what's the point of taking a different route to not have to walk through the cold if I'm gonna be stuck waiting for a bus for ten minutes in the cold anyway? There is one direct bus that's not too far, but it takes like, over an hour and I really just don't have that patience. So until it's like, 8 degrees or so, I'll probably just do my normal route, even when the windchill is below 20. It was pretty though, because just a little snow had fallen covering everything in white, and a bunch of people still had Christmas decorations up on their adorable houses and I was reminded just how much I love my neighborhood and how thankful I am that I live somewhere where I can walk home alone almost every night and always feel safe (and in Chicago, no less). Kind of cold by the time I made it to the train, but not too bad. Train to the courthouse, taking the underground route over a block again which is quite convenient. Got there and after I was going through security I ran into one of the team members so I chatted with him for a while, he was under the impression I was on the actual team and quit, which he thought was smart haha because he wishes he could get out of it, but I told him they were like oh you can be an alternate and I was just like nah I'm good thanks lol but I'd come for now and observe things. I slipped into the back of the courtroom right as they were about to start their scrimmage run through. Got to see my TA who I haven't seen in a while (refresher: the boy I was hopelessly in love with last year who remains engaged) and then got to watch, again, as another girl got to be his mock trial partner and I'm just like.....that should be me dammit!!! Lol, not my favorite thing to experience, that's for sure. But the trial was pretty interesting. I did have a notebook and jotted down a few pages worth of notes, but I was also reading some of that 49,000 word fan fic I've been working through on train rides. I'm up to the last two chapters that have been posted so far now, and I'm kind of sad because I'm enjoying the story so much. The team was a bit sloppy I have to say, making stupid mistakes but that's what this kind of scrimmage is for of course, so I don't hold it against them. I'll probably get designated as a witness for next week which should be fun. I always love playing witnesses, and I can usually make it quite entertaining. One of them in this case is a drug dealer turned confidential informant named "Krazy 8's" and just watching tonight I was like omg I could have so much fun with this testimony (on cross the defense lawyer is just going through all the times he's been convicted and I could just see myself sitting there like "yeah, that was a good one" and everyone would dissolve into giggles and I'd be quite happy with myself). They got up to closing statements, but then had to stop so they could do notes before having to leave the building at 9 pm. They're apparently having a practice on Saturday, but I'm doing the donate-a-day with my school because my spring break friend runs it and pad co-sponsored it this month which was my idea and my doing haha. We're going to the MLK Jr peace fair, and I have no idea what that means but it should be interesting enough. At 9 they finished up and I headed out, had the route debate with myself again but came to the same fuck it conclusion, even though it was like 25 out at that point with a windchill of like, 13. Oh Chicago, what have you done to me. I descended the stairs to the pedway walk through, and as I passed the subway gates for the blue line (I was going to the red) there was a homeless woman holding a ventra card (train ticket) and she asked if I had $1.75, which would get her one ride. She looked so sad, it just broke my heart. I pulled out my wallet and had literally nothing other than $20's, but it then occurred to me that I had a fair amount of quarters in my other change pocket because I separate them out for laundry and hadn't actually done so since before break. So I happily poured out all the quarters I had, giving her my best smile and saying God bless. I'm pretty sure it was at least $1.75 thankfully. She looked like she was going to cry, and I really just wanted to hug her in that moment (but I didn't because you never know how people feel about physical touch, especially with strangers). It was a simple interaction, one I've had many times since moving to Chicago, but for some reason tonight it really just warmed my heart. It just brought to mind where in Matthew Jesus is telling the parable of the sheep and the goats, and he says some of his most famous words, "whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me." Like, just think about the implications of that for a moment. The almighty God of the universe cares for even the least among us, and uses how we treat them as a guide for how we treat Him. It's just such a beautiful picture of the kindness He wishes for all of us to have. It also brought to mind a verse I've posted a few times on Facebook (mostly with articles about refugees) which I can't remember the reference of right now, but it basically said "be kind to strangers, for by this some have entertained Angels without knowing it." Just...wow. The person you passed on the street with a cardboard sign could be an angel, and showing them compassion is equated with the love of God. How could any other reaction be considered okay? How have we as a church come to a place where we justify and make excuses for becoming complacent, for why it's okay to walk down the street and act like the homeless person doesn't exist, because we do it every day, and I have no doubt that God is ashamed by that behavior because it's so antithetical to his very nature. Now, I'm not going to pretend like I'm perfect. I get tired some times or am in a rush and don't want to stop, so I don't, and I really hate when that happens because I know how much it hurts God. It's something I really need to be better about. I've been thinking about buying my friend Anthony who's usually outside my school asking for change a belated Christmas present being that I got him one last year and wanted to do it again. It has to be small so I can carry it around with me, because I never know when I'll see him. I was thinking a watch of some sort, something functional but easy to use with some cool features and doesn't require maintenance. I'll have to check what's available on Amazon. Anyway. I suppose I've said enough on that topic for tonight. It's just one that can get me into rant mode very easily. But okay. I continued to walk to the train, and took it out to my usual stop. I didn't think the walk back wasn't bad despite the temperature, but by the time I got to my apartment my fingers were freezing and I was glad to be inside. And at that point I basically just chilled and watched some daredevil season 2 because I didn't have any current show episodes to watch. And that was pretty much it. Tomorrow should be interesting, I have the dreaded return of larc (legal writing) and 1, then am invited to some sort of party for my summer job friend and another one of her friends at night so that's sure to be entertaining. But as of now, I'm getting pretty tired and would like to go to sleep, so that's what I'll do. Goodnight chicas. Sweet dreams.

[cbdhn-blog]

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

Paul started taking CBD to be a better father. The New Jersey dad of two's high-pressure, high-rewards job was taking a toll. Work days left him feeling depleted and on edge. He'd get home wired and checked out, feeling like it was impossible to be patient with his boys.

“You go from one job to the next,” he said. “You go to work all day and come home to a five and a seven year old and they were at their job all day - school - and now they want to turn it up and rage.”

Paul hoped the hemp-derived product, which is said to reduce anxiety, would help him find the peace of mind he needed to be present in those moments of high-energy family time. So, on a work trip, he ducked into a store with a tie-dye banner and walked out with $40 worth of CBD gummies.

A few months later, he says he's noticed modest gains. He brings less work stress homeand stops channeling that anxiety onto his children. “I feel less inclined to give as many fucks about what they are doing and not helicopter dad as much,” he said. “I try to go with the flow.”

The hemp extract Cannabidiol, or CBD, is everywhere these days. You can find CBD-infused versions of candies, lattes, beer, bath bombs, lotions, lubes, and pretty much every product you can think of. These items aren't sitting past the beaded curtain in head shops, either. They're available online, at corner stores, and high-end boutiques. CBD will only become more ever-present. According to the cannabis industry analysis company New Frontier, the CBD market is expected to grow by 700 percent into a $2 billion industry by 2022.

These numbers are easy to understand. CBD supposedly aids sleep, relieves pain, and reduces stress. The plant-based compound also isn't habit forming and low-key enough to take around family or kids. It's becoming more and more of an option for those who want to de-stress or at the least not let their anxieties rub off on their loved ones. It's no surprise then that parents are among the most avid consumers. Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase. But is it worth the hype? 

***

Researchers have been aware of Cannabidiol since the late 18th century when it was the first of the more than 60 natural cannabinoid compounds. Scientists were able to synthesize it as early as the mid '60s. Like all cannabinoids, CBD is derived from hemp plant resins. Unlike its more famous fellow marijuana-derived chemical compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD doesn't get you stoned. Instead, it has a calming effect.

While CBD has been used to help fight seizures and chronic pain, it's the anxiety-battling properties and lack of brain-fog that have become its big, bold selling point. A 2013 study found evidence that CBD alleviates anxiety by increasing prefrontal cortex activation and lowering activity in the amygdala, the two areas of the brain involved in anxiety while activating CB1 receptors to restore balance to GABA and glutamate levels, further reducing anxiety. THC also binds with CB1 receptors, but activates the brain's dopamine reward system while also interfering with brain mechanisms that regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, cognition, and emotions.

  Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase.

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele,” Pittsburgh functional medicine practitioner Will Cole said. “Both you are your grandma will love it as CBD oil doesn't contain the same cannabinoids that are considered psychoactive.”

CBD does have it's concerns, however. Longstanding prohibitions on studying marijuana have only loosened recently and not entirely. For example, researchers can only study marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi, which grows marijuana under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse. With restrictions hampering research into hemp products overall and CBD being relatively new, researchers, while armed with convincing theories, don't yet know exactly how it operates in the brain and body.

Then there's also the issue of legality. CBD is available in most parts of the United States, but its legal status is somewhat murky. States have varying degrees of restriction. In the 10 states with legal marijuana, CBD is legal as well. Some states, like New York, allow commercial sales. Alabama, however restricts CBD use to medical purposes only. Georgia, meanwhile, only permits it to be prescribed to people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and seizure disorders.

  The farm bill released by the FDA in December legalized non-THC hemp products across the board. While that should include CBD, some legal experts suggest that it may not. Nonetheless, the bill should be good news for CBD users, as it permits states to decide on laws about CBD sales and it differentiates hemp-derived products from marijuana and therefore removes CBD from the DEA's list of controlled substances.

Despite some gray areas, CBD has crossed some hurdles. A World Health Organization report on CBD determined it was safe when taken on its own but suggested that problems could arise when CBD is taken with other drugs. 

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele.”

  Dr. Rachna Patel, a medical cannabis specialist and a leading expert on CBD, added that, while CBD isn't addictive or life-threatening, moderation is key. “If you take it too often [for pain relief] it's going to make your pain worse, believe it or not,” she said. Like other cannabinoids, CBD has a biphasic effect, meaning low and high doses can produce opposite results. And while someone can't overdose from CBD, taking too much leads to a bad time.

“You could feel dizzy. You could feel really groggy, you could feel really lethargic,” she said. “You're just not going to overall feel good.”

Still, by all measures, CBD seems like it was synthesized precisely for our high-stress, burn out-prone times. In fact, there's some persuasive evidence that use is high among those with kids. Dr. Patel, for instance, has found that while CBD cuts across ages, it peaks with people between 40 and 60.

“That's when humans in general start to experience a lot of pain,” Patel said. “Their body is starting to wear down on them.”

Knowing all this, why wouldn't stressed-out parents want to give CBD a try? 

***

While CBD sounds ideal for dads in theory, in practice the results seem mixed. The CBD-users with whom I spoke were reserved in their praise. Still, the consensus wasn't dismissive - the phrase “it's worth a shot” appeared just as often.

Sean, a father of one from Chicago bought a pack of CBD gummies after a friend recommended them. He enjoys the effect and says he likes the idea of popping one after a particularly long day at the office. “I wouldn't say that it's a major change; it just settles me a bit. It's nice to feel that calm and be in a good headspace for my family when I had a bad day,” he says. “It's easy to bring that stress home.”

Sean added that, around his family, he feels more comfortable popping one than he does drinking a few beers. “There's something more PG about it,” he says. “Either way, it's an occasional thing.”  (Sean was quick to add that he keeps his gummies in the locked glove compartment of his car so his toddler won't accidentally stumble upon them.)

  “It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,”

  For some dads, however, CBD's effect is too close to that of THC. Tom, a father of two from Jersey, tried CBD when he sprained his back. While it didn't help his pain, as a regular marijuana user, it reminded him enough of smoking pot to be a disappointing and confusing tease.

“It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,” he said. “It's not alcoholic but there's this weird psychological effect that [makes you think] you'd feel stoned even though there's nothing.”

CBD, then, may be a little counter-intuitive for anybody who first smoked marijuana after being promised it would blow their mind. That's why so many tried marijuana in the first place. If CBD doesn't induce giggling fits or make music seem transcendently face-melting, what's the point?

But many dads taking CBD aren't looking to get high. They know what marijuana's like and have generally positive feelings about it. They're looking for calm or relief from pain.

Dan, a dad of two from California, said his local coffee joint serves a cold brew with CBD. “It's a pretty good way to get hyper and de-stressed at the same time,” he said. “Wouldn't say it's life changing exactly, but it does seem good for anxiety and a bit of calm.”

Dan said he felt the advertised calm of CBD but added that “honestly it's hard to sort out whether it's a placebo or not.”

  “Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  Chris, a New York City father of two, is a long-time CBD user. He searched out the substance several years ago after a health food store employee recommended it for his sciatica back pain.

“I wanted to feel relaxed and get my muscles to relax,” Chris said. “I didn't necessarily need to be stoned. I didn't need the euphoria necessarily. I just needed the sedation.”

CBD didn't cure his back pain but it made it far more bearable. As it did so, it also turned down the volume on his anxiety.

“I was like, Wow, okay,” he said. “I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

Despite his positive experience, Chris said it's not a cure for pain, but rather a tool for managing it. Dr. Patel said this was typical for people who treat pain with CBD.

“If you're in severe pain, don't expect the CBD oil to just poof, and magically get rid of it overnight,” she said. “It'll drop down realistically, mild to moderate levels.”

***

It's a common concern to try CBD and find it doesn't do anything at all. I don't have to travel far for an example. My personal CBD experience was underwhelming. I bought a vial of oil from a smoke shop to help my lower back pain. It didn't have an effect and I ended up turning instead to my usual regimen of bourbon, heat pads, and Aleve.

When I told Dr. Patel CBD didn't work for me, she suggested that the product I took may not have contained CBD at all. The FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use, the epilepsy seizure drug Epidiolex. Otherwise, CBD is unregulated and unpredictable. A 2017 JAMA study tested 84 CBD products and found that only about a third of them accurately reflected the CBD it contained. The Food and Drug Administration has warned several CBD companies about mislabeling their products. Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  “I was like, Wow, okay. I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

  Of course, CBD products are an unregulated market with wild west rules. People have to be very discerning about what products they choose but there's scant information to go on. Chris said he quality controls by buying CBD products made from certified organic hemp. Patel said the best indicator for CBD quality is if the packaging states the product has been laboratory tested by a third-party, independent state-licensed lab. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that the ingredients of a CBD product aren't just something you already have in your kitchen.

“The amount of CBD can vary,” Patel said. “But it's important to know the exact amount because there have been some products that the FDA has found where they had little-to-no CBD in them. You don't want to be paying ridiculous amounts of money for a one-to-two ounce bottle of basically vegetable oil.”

Buyers definitely want the product to have some CBD, but getting more specific about dosage is elusive. There's no not a one size fits all correct dose. Effective dosages seem to vary from person to person, with bodyweight driving much of the variance.

Still, CBD offers a salve for some. After using it for three months, Paul bought into the CBD hype and would recommended it to dads trying to carve out some calm. He thought it was helping but suspected there might be a placebo effect at play, particularly when he considered the unscientific methodology he used for his CBD experiments.

“To be fair, most nights there is a cold eight-percent 16 oz craft IPA making its way into my dad bod as well,” he said.

via: 

Adam Bulger Fatherly January 11, 2019 https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/cbd-pros-cons-anxiety-parents/

[cbdhn-blog]

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

Paul started taking CBD to be a better father. The New Jersey dad of two's high-pressure, high-rewards job was taking a toll. Work days left him feeling depleted and on edge. He'd get home wired and checked out, feeling like it was impossible to be patient with his boys.

“You go from one job to the next,” he said. “You go to work all day and come home to a five and a seven year old and they were at their job all day - school - and now they want to turn it up and rage.”

Paul hoped the hemp-derived product, which is said to reduce anxiety, would help him find the peace of mind he needed to be present in those moments of high-energy family time. So, on a work trip, he ducked into a store with a tie-dye banner and walked out with $40 worth of CBD gummies.

A few months later, he says he's noticed modest gains. He brings less work stress homeand stops channeling that anxiety onto his children. “I feel less inclined to give as many fucks about what they are doing and not helicopter dad as much,” he said. “I try to go with the flow.”

The hemp extract Cannabidiol, or CBD, is everywhere these days. You can find CBD-infused versions of candies, lattes, beer, bath bombs, lotions, lubes, and pretty much every product you can think of. These items aren't sitting past the beaded curtain in head shops, either. They're available online, at corner stores, and high-end boutiques. CBD will only become more ever-present. According to the cannabis industry analysis company New Frontier, the CBD market is expected to grow by 700 percent into a $2 billion industry by 2022.

These numbers are easy to understand. CBD supposedly aids sleep, relieves pain, and reduces stress. The plant-based compound also isn't habit forming and low-key enough to take around family or kids. It's becoming more and more of an option for those who want to de-stress or at the least not let their anxieties rub off on their loved ones. It's no surprise then that parents are among the most avid consumers. Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase. But is it worth the hype? 

***

Researchers have been aware of Cannabidiol since the late 18th century when it was the first of the more than 60 natural cannabinoid compounds. Scientists were able to synthesize it as early as the mid '60s. Like all cannabinoids, CBD is derived from hemp plant resins. Unlike its more famous fellow marijuana-derived chemical compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD doesn't get you stoned. Instead, it has a calming effect.

While CBD has been used to help fight seizures and chronic pain, it's the anxiety-battling properties and lack of brain-fog that have become its big, bold selling point. A 2013 study found evidence that CBD alleviates anxiety by increasing prefrontal cortex activation and lowering activity in the amygdala, the two areas of the brain involved in anxiety while activating CB1 receptors to restore balance to GABA and glutamate levels, further reducing anxiety. THC also binds with CB1 receptors, but activates the brain's dopamine reward system while also interfering with brain mechanisms that regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, cognition, and emotions.

  Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase.

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele,” Pittsburgh functional medicine practitioner Will Cole said. “Both you are your grandma will love it as CBD oil doesn't contain the same cannabinoids that are considered psychoactive.”

CBD does have it's concerns, however. Longstanding prohibitions on studying marijuana have only loosened recently and not entirely. For example, researchers can only study marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi, which grows marijuana under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse. With restrictions hampering research into hemp products overall and CBD being relatively new, researchers, while armed with convincing theories, don't yet know exactly how it operates in the brain and body.

Then there's also the issue of legality. CBD is available in most parts of the United States, but its legal status is somewhat murky. States have varying degrees of restriction. In the 10 states with legal marijuana, CBD is legal as well. Some states, like New York, allow commercial sales. Alabama, however restricts CBD use to medical purposes only. Georgia, meanwhile, only permits it to be prescribed to people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and seizure disorders.

  The farm bill released by the FDA in December legalized non-THC hemp products across the board. While that should include CBD, some legal experts suggest that it may not. Nonetheless, the bill should be good news for CBD users, as it permits states to decide on laws about CBD sales and it differentiates hemp-derived products from marijuana and therefore removes CBD from the DEA's list of controlled substances.

Despite some gray areas, CBD has crossed some hurdles. A World Health Organization report on CBD determined it was safe when taken on its own but suggested that problems could arise when CBD is taken with other drugs. 

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele.”

  Dr. Rachna Patel, a medical cannabis specialist and a leading expert on CBD, added that, while CBD isn't addictive or life-threatening, moderation is key. “If you take it too often [for pain relief] it's going to make your pain worse, believe it or not,” she said. Like other cannabinoids, CBD has a biphasic effect, meaning low and high doses can produce opposite results. And while someone can't overdose from CBD, taking too much leads to a bad time.

“You could feel dizzy. You could feel really groggy, you could feel really lethargic,” she said. “You're just not going to overall feel good.”

Still, by all measures, CBD seems like it was synthesized precisely for our high-stress, burn out-prone times. In fact, there's some persuasive evidence that use is high among those with kids. Dr. Patel, for instance, has found that while CBD cuts across ages, it peaks with people between 40 and 60.

“That's when humans in general start to experience a lot of pain,” Patel said. “Their body is starting to wear down on them.”

Knowing all this, why wouldn't stressed-out parents want to give CBD a try? 

***

While CBD sounds ideal for dads in theory, in practice the results seem mixed. The CBD-users with whom I spoke were reserved in their praise. Still, the consensus wasn't dismissive - the phrase “it's worth a shot” appeared just as often.

Sean, a father of one from Chicago bought a pack of CBD gummies after a friend recommended them. He enjoys the effect and says he likes the idea of popping one after a particularly long day at the office. “I wouldn't say that it's a major change; it just settles me a bit. It's nice to feel that calm and be in a good headspace for my family when I had a bad day,” he says. “It's easy to bring that stress home.”

Sean added that, around his family, he feels more comfortable popping one than he does drinking a few beers. “There's something more PG about it,” he says. “Either way, it's an occasional thing.”  (Sean was quick to add that he keeps his gummies in the locked glove compartment of his car so his toddler won't accidentally stumble upon them.)

  “It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,”

  For some dads, however, CBD's effect is too close to that of THC. Tom, a father of two from Jersey, tried CBD when he sprained his back. While it didn't help his pain, as a regular marijuana user, it reminded him enough of smoking pot to be a disappointing and confusing tease.

“It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,” he said. “It's not alcoholic but there's this weird psychological effect that [makes you think] you'd feel stoned even though there's nothing.”

CBD, then, may be a little counter-intuitive for anybody who first smoked marijuana after being promised it would blow their mind. That's why so many tried marijuana in the first place. If CBD doesn't induce giggling fits or make music seem transcendently face-melting, what's the point?

But many dads taking CBD aren't looking to get high. They know what marijuana's like and have generally positive feelings about it. They're looking for calm or relief from pain.

Dan, a dad of two from California, said his local coffee joint serves a cold brew with CBD. “It's a pretty good way to get hyper and de-stressed at the same time,” he said. “Wouldn't say it's life changing exactly, but it does seem good for anxiety and a bit of calm.”

Dan said he felt the advertised calm of CBD but added that “honestly it's hard to sort out whether it's a placebo or not.”

  “Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  Chris, a New York City father of two, is a long-time CBD user. He searched out the substance several years ago after a health food store employee recommended it for his sciatica back pain.

“I wanted to feel relaxed and get my muscles to relax,” Chris said. “I didn't necessarily need to be stoned. I didn't need the euphoria necessarily. I just needed the sedation.”

CBD didn't cure his back pain but it made it far more bearable. As it did so, it also turned down the volume on his anxiety.

“I was like, Wow, okay,” he said. “I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

Despite his positive experience, Chris said it's not a cure for pain, but rather a tool for managing it. Dr. Patel said this was typical for people who treat pain with CBD.

“If you're in severe pain, don't expect the CBD oil to just poof, and magically get rid of it overnight,” she said. “It'll drop down realistically, mild to moderate levels.”

***

It's a common concern to try CBD and find it doesn't do anything at all. I don't have to travel far for an example. My personal CBD experience was underwhelming. I bought a vial of oil from a smoke shop to help my lower back pain. It didn't have an effect and I ended up turning instead to my usual regimen of bourbon, heat pads, and Aleve.

When I told Dr. Patel CBD didn't work for me, she suggested that the product I took may not have contained CBD at all. The FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use, the epilepsy seizure drug Epidiolex. Otherwise, CBD is unregulated and unpredictable. A 2017 JAMA study tested 84 CBD products and found that only about a third of them accurately reflected the CBD it contained. The Food and Drug Administration has warned several CBD companies about mislabeling their products. Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  “I was like, Wow, okay. I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

  Of course, CBD products are an unregulated market with wild west rules. People have to be very discerning about what products they choose but there's scant information to go on. Chris said he quality controls by buying CBD products made from certified organic hemp. Patel said the best indicator for CBD quality is if the packaging states the product has been laboratory tested by a third-party, independent state-licensed lab. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that the ingredients of a CBD product aren't just something you already have in your kitchen.

“The amount of CBD can vary,” Patel said. “But it's important to know the exact amount because there have been some products that the FDA has found where they had little-to-no CBD in them. You don't want to be paying ridiculous amounts of money for a one-to-two ounce bottle of basically vegetable oil.”

Buyers definitely want the product to have some CBD, but getting more specific about dosage is elusive. There's no not a one size fits all correct dose. Effective dosages seem to vary from person to person, with bodyweight driving much of the variance.

Still, CBD offers a salve for some. After using it for three months, Paul bought into the CBD hype and would recommended it to dads trying to carve out some calm. He thought it was helping but suspected there might be a placebo effect at play, particularly when he considered the unscientific methodology he used for his CBD experiments.

“To be fair, most nights there is a cold eight-percent 16 oz craft IPA making its way into my dad bod as well,” he said.

via: 

Adam Bulger Fatherly January 11, 2019 https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/cbd-pros-cons-anxiety-parents/

[cbdhn-blog]

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

Paul started taking CBD to be a better father. The New Jersey dad of two's high-pressure, high-rewards job was taking a toll. Work days left him feeling depleted and on edge. He'd get home wired and checked out, feeling like it was impossible to be patient with his boys.

“You go from one job to the next,” he said. “You go to work all day and come home to a five and a seven year old and they were at their job all day - school - and now they want to turn it up and rage.”

Paul hoped the hemp-derived product, which is said to reduce anxiety, would help him find the peace of mind he needed to be present in those moments of high-energy family time. So, on a work trip, he ducked into a store with a tie-dye banner and walked out with $40 worth of CBD gummies.

A few months later, he says he's noticed modest gains. He brings less work stress homeand stops channeling that anxiety onto his children. “I feel less inclined to give as many fucks about what they are doing and not helicopter dad as much,” he said. “I try to go with the flow.”

The hemp extract Cannabidiol, or CBD, is everywhere these days. You can find CBD-infused versions of candies, lattes, beer, bath bombs, lotions, lubes, and pretty much every product you can think of. These items aren't sitting past the beaded curtain in head shops, either. They're available online, at corner stores, and high-end boutiques. CBD will only become more ever-present. According to the cannabis industry analysis company New Frontier, the CBD market is expected to grow by 700 percent into a $2 billion industry by 2022.

These numbers are easy to understand. CBD supposedly aids sleep, relieves pain, and reduces stress. The plant-based compound also isn't habit forming and low-key enough to take around family or kids. It's becoming more and more of an option for those who want to de-stress or at the least not let their anxieties rub off on their loved ones. It's no surprise then that parents are among the most avid consumers. Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase. But is it worth the hype? 

***

Researchers have been aware of Cannabidiol since the late 18th century when it was the first of the more than 60 natural cannabinoid compounds. Scientists were able to synthesize it as early as the mid '60s. Like all cannabinoids, CBD is derived from hemp plant resins. Unlike its more famous fellow marijuana-derived chemical compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD doesn't get you stoned. Instead, it has a calming effect.

While CBD has been used to help fight seizures and chronic pain, it's the anxiety-battling properties and lack of brain-fog that have become its big, bold selling point. A 2013 study found evidence that CBD alleviates anxiety by increasing prefrontal cortex activation and lowering activity in the amygdala, the two areas of the brain involved in anxiety while activating CB1 receptors to restore balance to GABA and glutamate levels, further reducing anxiety. THC also binds with CB1 receptors, but activates the brain's dopamine reward system while also interfering with brain mechanisms that regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, cognition, and emotions.

  Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase.

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele,” Pittsburgh functional medicine practitioner Will Cole said. “Both you are your grandma will love it as CBD oil doesn't contain the same cannabinoids that are considered psychoactive.”

CBD does have it's concerns, however. Longstanding prohibitions on studying marijuana have only loosened recently and not entirely. For example, researchers can only study marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi, which grows marijuana under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse. With restrictions hampering research into hemp products overall and CBD being relatively new, researchers, while armed with convincing theories, don't yet know exactly how it operates in the brain and body.

Then there's also the issue of legality. CBD is available in most parts of the United States, but its legal status is somewhat murky. States have varying degrees of restriction. In the 10 states with legal marijuana, CBD is legal as well. Some states, like New York, allow commercial sales. Alabama, however restricts CBD use to medical purposes only. Georgia, meanwhile, only permits it to be prescribed to people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and seizure disorders.

  The farm bill released by the FDA in December legalized non-THC hemp products across the board. While that should include CBD, some legal experts suggest that it may not. Nonetheless, the bill should be good news for CBD users, as it permits states to decide on laws about CBD sales and it differentiates hemp-derived products from marijuana and therefore removes CBD from the DEA's list of controlled substances.

Despite some gray areas, CBD has crossed some hurdles. A World Health Organization report on CBD determined it was safe when taken on its own but suggested that problems could arise when CBD is taken with other drugs. 

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele.”

  Dr. Rachna Patel, a medical cannabis specialist and a leading expert on CBD, added that, while CBD isn't addictive or life-threatening, moderation is key. “If you take it too often [for pain relief] it's going to make your pain worse, believe it or not,” she said. Like other cannabinoids, CBD has a biphasic effect, meaning low and high doses can produce opposite results. And while someone can't overdose from CBD, taking too much leads to a bad time.

“You could feel dizzy. You could feel really groggy, you could feel really lethargic,” she said. “You're just not going to overall feel good.”

Still, by all measures, CBD seems like it was synthesized precisely for our high-stress, burn out-prone times. In fact, there's some persuasive evidence that use is high among those with kids. Dr. Patel, for instance, has found that while CBD cuts across ages, it peaks with people between 40 and 60.

“That's when humans in general start to experience a lot of pain,” Patel said. “Their body is starting to wear down on them.”

Knowing all this, why wouldn't stressed-out parents want to give CBD a try? 

***

While CBD sounds ideal for dads in theory, in practice the results seem mixed. The CBD-users with whom I spoke were reserved in their praise. Still, the consensus wasn't dismissive - the phrase “it's worth a shot” appeared just as often.

Sean, a father of one from Chicago bought a pack of CBD gummies after a friend recommended them. He enjoys the effect and says he likes the idea of popping one after a particularly long day at the office. “I wouldn't say that it's a major change; it just settles me a bit. It's nice to feel that calm and be in a good headspace for my family when I had a bad day,” he says. “It's easy to bring that stress home.”

Sean added that, around his family, he feels more comfortable popping one than he does drinking a few beers. “There's something more PG about it,” he says. “Either way, it's an occasional thing.”  (Sean was quick to add that he keeps his gummies in the locked glove compartment of his car so his toddler won't accidentally stumble upon them.)

  “It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,”

  For some dads, however, CBD's effect is too close to that of THC. Tom, a father of two from Jersey, tried CBD when he sprained his back. While it didn't help his pain, as a regular marijuana user, it reminded him enough of smoking pot to be a disappointing and confusing tease.

“It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,” he said. “It's not alcoholic but there's this weird psychological effect that [makes you think] you'd feel stoned even though there's nothing.”

CBD, then, may be a little counter-intuitive for anybody who first smoked marijuana after being promised it would blow their mind. That's why so many tried marijuana in the first place. If CBD doesn't induce giggling fits or make music seem transcendently face-melting, what's the point?

But many dads taking CBD aren't looking to get high. They know what marijuana's like and have generally positive feelings about it. They're looking for calm or relief from pain.

Dan, a dad of two from California, said his local coffee joint serves a cold brew with CBD. “It's a pretty good way to get hyper and de-stressed at the same time,” he said. “Wouldn't say it's life changing exactly, but it does seem good for anxiety and a bit of calm.”

Dan said he felt the advertised calm of CBD but added that “honestly it's hard to sort out whether it's a placebo or not.”

  “Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  Chris, a New York City father of two, is a long-time CBD user. He searched out the substance several years ago after a health food store employee recommended it for his sciatica back pain.

“I wanted to feel relaxed and get my muscles to relax,” Chris said. “I didn't necessarily need to be stoned. I didn't need the euphoria necessarily. I just needed the sedation.”

CBD didn't cure his back pain but it made it far more bearable. As it did so, it also turned down the volume on his anxiety.

“I was like, Wow, okay,” he said. “I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

Despite his positive experience, Chris said it's not a cure for pain, but rather a tool for managing it. Dr. Patel said this was typical for people who treat pain with CBD.

“If you're in severe pain, don't expect the CBD oil to just poof, and magically get rid of it overnight,” she said. “It'll drop down realistically, mild to moderate levels.”

***

It's a common concern to try CBD and find it doesn't do anything at all. I don't have to travel far for an example. My personal CBD experience was underwhelming. I bought a vial of oil from a smoke shop to help my lower back pain. It didn't have an effect and I ended up turning instead to my usual regimen of bourbon, heat pads, and Aleve.

When I told Dr. Patel CBD didn't work for me, she suggested that the product I took may not have contained CBD at all. The FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use, the epilepsy seizure drug Epidiolex. Otherwise, CBD is unregulated and unpredictable. A 2017 JAMA study tested 84 CBD products and found that only about a third of them accurately reflected the CBD it contained. The Food and Drug Administration has warned several CBD companies about mislabeling their products. Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  “I was like, Wow, okay. I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

  Of course, CBD products are an unregulated market with wild west rules. People have to be very discerning about what products they choose but there's scant information to go on. Chris said he quality controls by buying CBD products made from certified organic hemp. Patel said the best indicator for CBD quality is if the packaging states the product has been laboratory tested by a third-party, independent state-licensed lab. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that the ingredients of a CBD product aren't just something you already have in your kitchen.

“The amount of CBD can vary,” Patel said. “But it's important to know the exact amount because there have been some products that the FDA has found where they had little-to-no CBD in them. You don't want to be paying ridiculous amounts of money for a one-to-two ounce bottle of basically vegetable oil.”

Buyers definitely want the product to have some CBD, but getting more specific about dosage is elusive. There's no not a one size fits all correct dose. Effective dosages seem to vary from person to person, with bodyweight driving much of the variance.

Still, CBD offers a salve for some. After using it for three months, Paul bought into the CBD hype and would recommended it to dads trying to carve out some calm. He thought it was helping but suspected there might be a placebo effect at play, particularly when he considered the unscientific methodology he used for his CBD experiments.

“To be fair, most nights there is a cold eight-percent 16 oz craft IPA making its way into my dad bod as well,” he said.

via: 

Adam Bulger Fatherly January 11, 2019 https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/cbd-pros-cons-anxiety-parents/

[cbdhn-blog]

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

The Pros and Cons of CBD and the Parents Who Use It

Paul started taking CBD to be a better father. The New Jersey dad of two's high-pressure, high-rewards job was taking a toll. Work days left him feeling depleted and on edge. He'd get home wired and checked out, feeling like it was impossible to be patient with his boys.

“You go from one job to the next,” he said. “You go to work all day and come home to a five and a seven year old and they were at their job all day - school - and now they want to turn it up and rage.”

Paul hoped the hemp-derived product, which is said to reduce anxiety, would help him find the peace of mind he needed to be present in those moments of high-energy family time. So, on a work trip, he ducked into a store with a tie-dye banner and walked out with $40 worth of CBD gummies.

A few months later, he says he's noticed modest gains. He brings less work stress homeand stops channeling that anxiety onto his children. “I feel less inclined to give as many fucks about what they are doing and not helicopter dad as much,” he said. “I try to go with the flow.”

The hemp extract Cannabidiol, or CBD, is everywhere these days. You can find CBD-infused versions of candies, lattes, beer, bath bombs, lotions, lubes, and pretty much every product you can think of. These items aren't sitting past the beaded curtain in head shops, either. They're available online, at corner stores, and high-end boutiques. CBD will only become more ever-present. According to the cannabis industry analysis company New Frontier, the CBD market is expected to grow by 700 percent into a $2 billion industry by 2022.

These numbers are easy to understand. CBD supposedly aids sleep, relieves pain, and reduces stress. The plant-based compound also isn't habit forming and low-key enough to take around family or kids. It's becoming more and more of an option for those who want to de-stress or at the least not let their anxieties rub off on their loved ones. It's no surprise then that parents are among the most avid consumers. Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase. But is it worth the hype? 

***

Researchers have been aware of Cannabidiol since the late 18th century when it was the first of the more than 60 natural cannabinoid compounds. Scientists were able to synthesize it as early as the mid '60s. Like all cannabinoids, CBD is derived from hemp plant resins. Unlike its more famous fellow marijuana-derived chemical compound Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), however, CBD doesn't get you stoned. Instead, it has a calming effect.

While CBD has been used to help fight seizures and chronic pain, it's the anxiety-battling properties and lack of brain-fog that have become its big, bold selling point. A 2013 study found evidence that CBD alleviates anxiety by increasing prefrontal cortex activation and lowering activity in the amygdala, the two areas of the brain involved in anxiety while activating CB1 receptors to restore balance to GABA and glutamate levels, further reducing anxiety. THC also binds with CB1 receptors, but activates the brain's dopamine reward system while also interfering with brain mechanisms that regulate mood, memory, appetite, pain, cognition, and emotions.

  Hell, the only way to tailor CBD more to modern dads is to include a Beastie Boys playlist and tips for fantasy football with every purchase.

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele,” Pittsburgh functional medicine practitioner Will Cole said. “Both you are your grandma will love it as CBD oil doesn't contain the same cannabinoids that are considered psychoactive.”

CBD does have it's concerns, however. Longstanding prohibitions on studying marijuana have only loosened recently and not entirely. For example, researchers can only study marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi, which grows marijuana under contract with the National Institute on Drug Abuse. With restrictions hampering research into hemp products overall and CBD being relatively new, researchers, while armed with convincing theories, don't yet know exactly how it operates in the brain and body.

Then there's also the issue of legality. CBD is available in most parts of the United States, but its legal status is somewhat murky. States have varying degrees of restriction. In the 10 states with legal marijuana, CBD is legal as well. Some states, like New York, allow commercial sales. Alabama, however restricts CBD use to medical purposes only. Georgia, meanwhile, only permits it to be prescribed to people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and seizure disorders.

  The farm bill released by the FDA in December legalized non-THC hemp products across the board. While that should include CBD, some legal experts suggest that it may not. Nonetheless, the bill should be good news for CBD users, as it permits states to decide on laws about CBD sales and it differentiates hemp-derived products from marijuana and therefore removes CBD from the DEA's list of controlled substances.

Despite some gray areas, CBD has crossed some hurdles. A World Health Organization report on CBD determined it was safe when taken on its own but suggested that problems could arise when CBD is taken with other drugs. 

  “If THC is the Beyonce of cannabinoids, then CBD is the Adele.”

  Dr. Rachna Patel, a medical cannabis specialist and a leading expert on CBD, added that, while CBD isn't addictive or life-threatening, moderation is key. “If you take it too often [for pain relief] it's going to make your pain worse, believe it or not,” she said. Like other cannabinoids, CBD has a biphasic effect, meaning low and high doses can produce opposite results. And while someone can't overdose from CBD, taking too much leads to a bad time.

“You could feel dizzy. You could feel really groggy, you could feel really lethargic,” she said. “You're just not going to overall feel good.”

Still, by all measures, CBD seems like it was synthesized precisely for our high-stress, burn out-prone times. In fact, there's some persuasive evidence that use is high among those with kids. Dr. Patel, for instance, has found that while CBD cuts across ages, it peaks with people between 40 and 60.

“That's when humans in general start to experience a lot of pain,” Patel said. “Their body is starting to wear down on them.”

Knowing all this, why wouldn't stressed-out parents want to give CBD a try? 

***

While CBD sounds ideal for dads in theory, in practice the results seem mixed. The CBD-users with whom I spoke were reserved in their praise. Still, the consensus wasn't dismissive - the phrase “it's worth a shot” appeared just as often.

Sean, a father of one from Chicago bought a pack of CBD gummies after a friend recommended them. He enjoys the effect and says he likes the idea of popping one after a particularly long day at the office. “I wouldn't say that it's a major change; it just settles me a bit. It's nice to feel that calm and be in a good headspace for my family when I had a bad day,” he says. “It's easy to bring that stress home.”

Sean added that, around his family, he feels more comfortable popping one than he does drinking a few beers. “There's something more PG about it,” he says. “Either way, it's an occasional thing.”  (Sean was quick to add that he keeps his gummies in the locked glove compartment of his car so his toddler won't accidentally stumble upon them.)

  “It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,”

  For some dads, however, CBD's effect is too close to that of THC. Tom, a father of two from Jersey, tried CBD when he sprained his back. While it didn't help his pain, as a regular marijuana user, it reminded him enough of smoking pot to be a disappointing and confusing tease.

“It's kind of the equivalent of drinking non-alcoholic beer without knowing it's not alcoholic,” he said. “It's not alcoholic but there's this weird psychological effect that [makes you think] you'd feel stoned even though there's nothing.”

CBD, then, may be a little counter-intuitive for anybody who first smoked marijuana after being promised it would blow their mind. That's why so many tried marijuana in the first place. If CBD doesn't induce giggling fits or make music seem transcendently face-melting, what's the point?

But many dads taking CBD aren't looking to get high. They know what marijuana's like and have generally positive feelings about it. They're looking for calm or relief from pain.

Dan, a dad of two from California, said his local coffee joint serves a cold brew with CBD. “It's a pretty good way to get hyper and de-stressed at the same time,” he said. “Wouldn't say it's life changing exactly, but it does seem good for anxiety and a bit of calm.”

Dan said he felt the advertised calm of CBD but added that “honestly it's hard to sort out whether it's a placebo or not.”

  “Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  Chris, a New York City father of two, is a long-time CBD user. He searched out the substance several years ago after a health food store employee recommended it for his sciatica back pain.

“I wanted to feel relaxed and get my muscles to relax,” Chris said. “I didn't necessarily need to be stoned. I didn't need the euphoria necessarily. I just needed the sedation.”

CBD didn't cure his back pain but it made it far more bearable. As it did so, it also turned down the volume on his anxiety.

“I was like, Wow, okay,” he said. “I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

Despite his positive experience, Chris said it's not a cure for pain, but rather a tool for managing it. Dr. Patel said this was typical for people who treat pain with CBD.

“If you're in severe pain, don't expect the CBD oil to just poof, and magically get rid of it overnight,” she said. “It'll drop down realistically, mild to moderate levels.”

***

It's a common concern to try CBD and find it doesn't do anything at all. I don't have to travel far for an example. My personal CBD experience was underwhelming. I bought a vial of oil from a smoke shop to help my lower back pain. It didn't have an effect and I ended up turning instead to my usual regimen of bourbon, heat pads, and Aleve.

When I told Dr. Patel CBD didn't work for me, she suggested that the product I took may not have contained CBD at all. The FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use, the epilepsy seizure drug Epidiolex. Otherwise, CBD is unregulated and unpredictable. A 2017 JAMA study tested 84 CBD products and found that only about a third of them accurately reflected the CBD it contained. The Food and Drug Administration has warned several CBD companies about mislabeling their products. Alarmingly, a number of CBD products have contained toxic substances like the synthetic marijuana Spice and dextromethorphan, the ingredient in Robitussin that causes “robo tripping.”

  “I was like, Wow, okay. I'm sedated a little bit. It's not like I'm taking a valium, but I certainly feel the edge has been taken off.”

  Of course, CBD products are an unregulated market with wild west rules. People have to be very discerning about what products they choose but there's scant information to go on. Chris said he quality controls by buying CBD products made from certified organic hemp. Patel said the best indicator for CBD quality is if the packaging states the product has been laboratory tested by a third-party, independent state-licensed lab. Otherwise, there's no guarantee that the ingredients of a CBD product aren't just something you already have in your kitchen.

“The amount of CBD can vary,” Patel said. “But it's important to know the exact amount because there have been some products that the FDA has found where they had little-to-no CBD in them. You don't want to be paying ridiculous amounts of money for a one-to-two ounce bottle of basically vegetable oil.”

Buyers definitely want the product to have some CBD, but getting more specific about dosage is elusive. There's no not a one size fits all correct dose. Effective dosages seem to vary from person to person, with bodyweight driving much of the variance.

Still, CBD offers a salve for some. After using it for three months, Paul bought into the CBD hype and would recommended it to dads trying to carve out some calm. He thought it was helping but suspected there might be a placebo effect at play, particularly when he considered the unscientific methodology he used for his CBD experiments.

“To be fair, most nights there is a cold eight-percent 16 oz craft IPA making its way into my dad bod as well,” he said.

via: 

Adam Bulger Fatherly January 11, 2019 https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/cbd-pros-cons-anxiety-parents/