No one should sacrifice their well-being because they can’t afford their treatment. Sadly, too many medical cannabis users around the world are trapped in this very situation. Because of antiquated laws surrounding hemp, CBD, and cannabis use and lackluster medical insurance coverage, thousands of people have no choice but to shell out massive sums of money to help themselves feel better.
That’s how it was for Nathan, a veteran living with PTSD and chronic pain. Nathan shared his experience to help others manage their health and their budget.
What Is CBD?
In case you’re new to CBD, this substance is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that people are turning to in order to manage a range of conditions that don’t respond well to traditional treatment. CBD does not cause any intoxication and usually comes from hemp plants.
The WHO recently reported that its research finds CBD safe and non-addictive.
In experimental models of abuse liability, CBD appears to have little effect on conditioned place preference or intracranial self-stimulation. In an animal drug discrimination model, CBD failed to substitute for THC. In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential. CBD has been demonstrated as an effective treatment of epilepsy in several clinical trials… There is also preliminary evidence that CBD may be a useful treatment for a number of other medical conditions… CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile. -World Health Organization, Cannabidiol, Pre-Review Report
CBD and PTSD
To understand how people use CBD for PTSD, we must look closer at what PTSD is. For our purposes here, we will describe this as a cluster of anxiety related symptoms as a result of direct or closely witnessed traumatic experience.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Intrusive thoughts including disturbing memories, nightmares, and vivid flashbacks;
- Social consequences as a result of avoidance of triggers which can include social situations, leaving the house, and anything associated with the traumatic event;
- Negative self-talk and ideology including persistent fear, self-loathing, paranoia, guilt, shame, and depressive episodes;
- Outward expression of reactive symptoms which include angry outbursts, accusations, reckless behavior, insomnia and lack of concentration.
Although far more clinical research is needed, there are many aspects of CBD treatment which are extremely promising.
Pre-clinical studies in different rodent behavioral models have shown that CBD can both facilitate the extinction of aversive memories and block their reconsolidation, possibly through potentialization of the eCB system… Indeed, as observed in rodents, recent studies have confirmed the ability of CBD to alter important aspects of aversive memories in humans and promote significant improvements in the symptomatology of PTSD. – Cannabidiol as a Therapeutic Alternative for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: From Bench Research to Confirmation in Human Trials
Additionally, CBD shows promise in treating insomnia, one of the most pervasive and ongoing symptoms of PTSD.
CBD And Chronic Pain
Like many combat veterans, Nathan also wants to manage chronic pain. He turned to CBD as a treatment because of positive results others experience. Nathan supplements his oral CBD vaping with topical CBD cream for the most benefit possible.
There are some theories on how CBD provides chronic pain relief. One way CBD appears to soothe chronic pain is by encouraging secretion of endocannabinoid 2-AG. This substance activates CB1 and CB2 receptors found within the outer nervous and immune systems.
Additionally, CBD affects G-protein coupled receptors and ion channels which reduces inflammation and pain perception.
Why Vaping Is Healthier
Nathan chose vaping as his delivery system because it involves the least health risk and fastest uptake. Vaping delivers CBD to the bloodstream through the lungs without the addition of several harmful byproducts produced from traditional combustion.
Nathan quit cigarettes because of the evident risks to his health and he was reluctant to expose himself to those risks again just to obtain CBD treatment. Although tinctures and edibles are other viable options for Nathan, he felt unsure about dosing and the length of time effects could take. Vaping felt like the right way to go.
CBD Pre-Filled Vape Cartridges
His next impediment was how to vape, and he first turned to pre filled vape cartridges as an easy solution. These cartridges screw onto a small battery and vaporize CBD when he inhales. It is simple and he finds it works well for him.
Nathan began experiencing frustration, however, when he realized his pre-filled vape cartridges weren’t pure CBD. They weren’t pure full-spectrum hemp either. In fact, these cartridges are largely of unknown quality and mixed with unknown, proprietary substances that help thin them for vaporizer delivery. He simply wasn’t sure what he was vaping.
Not only that, but Nathan quickly saw his pre-filled vape cartridge budget skyrocket. He was feeling better but started to worry about how sustainable vaping these cartridges was for his long-term economic picture. Running back and forth to the dispensary wasn’t cheap, either, and certainly not easy on days when he was experiencing heavy symptoms. Those are the very days he relies the most on his CBD.
The final straw was when Nathan learned that vape temperature matters. It can even be unsafe to vape at high temperatures. His simple vape didn’t have temperature control and he simply needed to upgrade. After all, what good did vaping do if it was still exposing him to health risks?
Wax Liquidizer As An Alternative To Pre-Filled CBD Cartridges
Like so many others in his situation, Nathan became obsessed with finding a solution to these problems. He wanted reliable CBD that he could order online, use in a vape of his choice, for an affordable price. He happened to hear about a product called ‘Wax Liquidizer’ and it changed the way he vaped.
When he shares his story, Nathan is the definition of a brand loyalist. He has nothing but good things to say about Wax Liquidizer and was enthusiastic to talk about his experience with the product.
He finds ordering easy and the customer service team friendly if and when he needs them. His packages arrive on time and discreetly packaged for a price far below his previous vape cartridge budget. He estimates he can make 5-6 cartridges for the same price as one purchased from a dispensary.
His vape of choice has temperature control because that’s important to him. He reports, however, that a friend uses a simple pod system and is also happy with the results. It takes him mere seconds to mix up a batch that lasts for days.
He sources his own pure CBD rosin and buys a month supply at once. He mixes one gram at a time with a few drops of Wax Liquidizer and uses a heat safe container inside a bowl of boiling water to mix his rosin and the mixing solution. All he has to do then is drip this into his vape tank and he’s set for the day.
More Control For Less
Nathan’s parting words for readers is that Wax Liquidizer put him in control of his treatment and CBD puts him in control of his life.
Anyone interested in reading more about Wax Liquidizer can find additional information at the company’s website.
