My beautifully truculent co-inhabitants of this wondrous planet. Full stop. Take it in and just be that… as individuals… as the collective consciousness… as organisms co-existing on a rock… just be that. Perhaps a dash less truculent but that is, after all, our nature. But come. Come. Take it in. If you’re confused, you’ve obviously not had enough of the spice. Pumpkin. Spice.
Gross. I grow weary of this. Daaaviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiid!
There we are! The beginnings of a new episode! Sorry, pumpkins, I’ve been battling new beginnings and navigating non-existent challenges, but! Soon to be back.
Hallo beautiful people. I’ve decided I’ll try releasing a weekly, six-panel episodic comic. The first one is a bit dark, but I hope you find a little humor in it. I’m trying to reconnect with that kid who used to draw for hours. If in the process I can entertain some folks, well then, why not? Enjoy!
Well, hallo and welcome back, you beautiful convergence of minds on a mission to mostly just miss the next five minutes of dead space. Empty space? Dead air. Radio silence! The state of things these days…what a shitshow. Ammiright? For the past couple of weeks, I’ve thought about writing on a few different “COVID and” topics but one stands out more than the rest. Surprise! It’s mental health.
In the past month alone, how many times have you heard someone bring up the importance of mental health? Obviously, there are many reasons why:
Mental instability/unrest does not a successful quarantine make
Isolation—it’s lonely!
Pandemics stir up fear and uncertainty, taking away any sense of control
According to Psychiatrists Beware! The Impact of COVID-19 and Pandemics on Mental Health, published on March 15, “Although the effects of the coronavirus on mental health have not been systematically studied, it is anticipated that COVID-19 will have rippling effects, especially based on current public reactions. On an individual level, it may differentially exacerbate anxiety and psychosis-like symptoms as well as lead to non-specific mental issues (e.g., mood problems, sleep issues, phobia-like behaviors, panic-like symptoms).” You know, all the fun ones!
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“Downtrodden”
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The Affected
So, what does COVID-19 mean for those of us dealing with our own mental illness(es)? Means you’ve got to put some work in, friend. I think it’s fairly safe to say that a majority of people are not in an ideal situation. You’re either out of work or overworked, living in isolation or stuck in a house with too many people, maybe you don’t have enough supplies or money, your neighbors are playing “Eye of the Tiger” way too loud on repeat and you cannot rise to the challenge again or so help you God… What? Oh, right, yes.
Regardless of what your situation might be, you’re likely going to have to put in more effort than normal (that’s more effort than you normally would, as well as more effort than “normal” people) to stay balanced. According to Managing and Understanding Mental Health Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic, “For some, it is or will be critical to seek out professional mental health care, especially for those who are already experiencing mental health issues like substance use disorder, depression, and anxiety. Many therapists are now offering telehealth services, so individuals do not have to leave their homes to receive care.” There are numerous telehealth/teletherapy offerings, so that’s definitely worth looking into.
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The Workforce
For those of you still working, you may be hearing twice the amount of “take care of your mental health” talk, because employers are harping on it. Some of this talk is out of genuine concern. I don’t mind saying that. I’m even confident in saying that. But also, this is business. According to Jason Wingard’s article, Mental Health In The Workplace: Leading In The COVID-19 Context, “Today’s leaders no longer have a choice about whether or not to advocate for mental health. They need to vocally address the issue, describing their own challenges and urging team members to seek help if they, for example, feel hyper-lonely from self-isolation or debilitatingly anxious about the spread of COVID-19.”
Our mental health—and that includes our employers, who are also people who put their pants on one leg at a time (they’re just like us!)—our capacity to use logic, reason, and common sense uninhibited by paranoia, anxiety, self-doubt, compulsive behavior, suspicion, etc., is kind of what helps to keep a business running smoothly. “In fact, the WHO estimates that every $1 invested into ‘treatment for common mental disorders’ will return $4 in improved health and productivity,” explains Wingard.
So, if you’re still working, you might be at one of those jobs where you are a touch overworked just at the moment. Maybe it seems like you can’t take a mental health day. But why does it seem like that? The CDC, the WHO, your employer (probably) are all telling you to take care of your mental health! So why does it feel like you can’t take a mental health day? According to Wingard, “In 2019, a Mental Health America survey of 10,000 workers found that 55% were afraid to take a mental health day because they thought they would be punished.”
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All the people taking mental health days…
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It kind of still feels like that, right? You’re being urged to protect your mental health but maybe the company you work for is understaffed, people are sick. Maybe layoffs are happening and if you take off, you may look expendable. It may seem like you look less than invaluable. We’re in this very uncomfortable position where we’re being told to take care of ourselves, but we’re scared that we’ll lose our livelihood if we try. That’s why I’m going to leave you all with one piece of advice:
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STOP
No, Dave, it’s not any of the song lyrics that would normally follow (although, if I had to choose, it would be to collaborate and listen). Sure, I could make false predictions all day long and whisper sweet nothings into your ear until you got a restraining order, but let’s not go there. I’m trying to earn your trust after all.
My advice is: Just stop. Take a moment to just sit down and regroup. Try letting your thoughts go on autopilot and see what comes to the forefront. If something jumps out, then maybe that’s a problem/desire/tangible thing you can focus on to start getting your thoughts in order, achieving a sense of mental balance. If nothing really pops out more than anything else, that’s okay. Sometimes just taking a moment to stop helps settle the mind. Ultimately, you need to figure out what is best for you. If taking a day off work is going to be more stressful than not, then don’t do it. But if you need a mental health day, don’t be afraid to take it. You are worth taking care of! And, please, if you or anyone you know is or may be contemplating harm to themselves or others, get help immediately.
Hallo, darlings. We’re back at it today with this depression topic re-visitation. On last week’s exciting episode, we covered the relationship between depression, anxiety, and anger, and how they work together in a positive feedback loop to amplify depression. Afterword, not even Dave’s corner cowering could keep us from diving into the somatic symptoms of depression and how pain and depression work together in a… well, a positive feedback loop that can amplify depression. I’m sensing a pattern here. Anyway, on this week’s emotionally unsettling conclusion, we’re finally going to address the social implications of depression and its role in self-worth. *Spoiler alert* We’re looking at another feedback loop.
The reason I wanted to look at anger and pain in relation to depression is to highlight some of the moving pieces working against the depressed. Anger and pain are both negative experiences that one needs to develop proper coping mechanisms for in order to respond appropriately. Let’s look at two different reactions to a scenario:
Scenario: Dave walks into his living room while texting a friend. Attention divided, he stubs his toe.
Reaction one (RO): In the 15 seconds after stubbing his toe:
Dave experiences a burst of pain
On the heels of that burst of pain, Dave experiences anger
Dave’s anger increases as he realizes his toe stubbing was a result of him not paying attention
Because Dave has no one to blame, he feels a bit stupid and embarrassed (regardless of the fact no one is around)
Dave doesn’t like to feel stupid or be embarrassed—it makes him angry
In the midst of the pain and anger, Dave comes to the conclusion that it’s the phone’s fault he wasn’t paying attention
Dave throws his phone
Dave begins to feel embarrassment about his behavior (still no one around)
Dave experiences a decrease in his sense of self-worth
Reaction two (RT): In the 15 seconds after stubbing his toe:
Dave experiences a burst of pain
On the heels of that burst of pain, Dave experiences anger
Having stubbed his toe many times before, Dave realizes the pain will subside quickly, so he should just breathe and ride it out
Dave sits on his couch and continues texting his friend, experiencing no significant changes in mood or sense of self-worth
Obviously, RT is the ideal reaction—the reasonable reaction. If you read RO and thought, “Well, that’s pretty childish,” you’re right! Spot on! Bravo, you! Individuals unable to learn and incorporate proper coping skills when it comes to negative emotions tend to react childishly to things. I think it’s important to point out here that it’s perfectly normal for anyone to have the occasional outburst. Shit happens, you might overreact, but you regroup and move on and that’s that. For someone with depression, it’s not as easy. There’s too much of a cascade effect. One stubbed toe could lead to a multiple-week-long depressive episode. Thankfully, this is an issue that can be eased with behavioral therapy and/or counseling.
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When you get real mad, but you’re still cute as hell.
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Seeking Value from Without
Before we get down to it, I just want to say that you, whoever you are reading this… You have value.
Our sense of self-worth is based on several things but can (for ease and brevity) be narrowed down to two categories: The value we place on ourselves (inside value) and the value others place on us (outside value). Ideally, there would be a balance between the two. For someone with depression, though, more stock is put into outside value. This is why some individuals with depression seek out the company of friends and family during darker times, which can be immensely helpful if the individual is in happy, healthy relationships. On the other hand, self-worth based on outside value can be crippling without those solid, uplifting relationships.
Some individuals relying on outside value, but who lack healthy relationships, tend to exhibit attention-seeking behavior. This is by no means a negative thing—although it can be. Attention seeking behavior can include: positive emotional outbursts, negative emotional outbursts, withdrawing from social situations, acting helpless, being overly helpful, being the center of conversations, and if I list any more we’re going to fall into a larger mental health topic. So, I’ll stop there. Again, these are all pretty normal behaviors when done sparingly, but it becomes problematic when someone exhibits multiple attention-seeking behaviors on a consistent basis. What’s worse is that these attention-seeking behaviors can lead to socially awkward situations, which lead to embarrassment, and… Hey! We’re back to anger! And after anger comes guilt, depression, and a lowered sense of self-worth. And, of course, how you cope (both inwardly and outwardly) with these negative emotions and situations can further devalue that sense of self-worth.
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Do you ever watch water drain and think, “Huh… there’s my self-worth.”
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On a Bigger Scope
**Please keep in mind that the following is a very generalized breakdown of some social implications of depression and a low sense of self-worth. While the below statements may apply to some (and in varying degrees), they won’t to others. To get more specific, we’d need to look at the different types of depression and how they affect different personality types and what’s chemical vs behavioral and on and on. You get the idea.
Building and maintaining relationships is integral to being a reasonably well-adjusted adult. How you relate to and with others helps dictate the type and quality of people who want to be around you. It also plays a major role in your career. The problem is that your sense of self-worth tends to be evident to others, whether overtly or on a more subconscious level. It’s a bit harder to like and want to be around a person who doesn’t particularly like his/herself. Because it takes more energy to be in any kind of relationship with that type of person, they’ll have fewer relationships and, likely, more contentious ones. Additionally, people with a lower sense of self-worth are more vulnerable to manipulative personalities and have a higher likelihood of ending up in long-term abusive relationships. A person relying on outside value has to be real fuckin’ careful about the company they keep, but they also have to balance how much they rely on others.
One of the biggest relationships in most people’s lives is their job. We spend a lot of time and energy there, and it’s one of the most logical places to find outside value, whether it’s from work friends, acquaintances, bosses, clients, customers, vendors, whomever. Again, it’s totally normal to desire or seek out praise and/or notice at work. But it becomes a problem when you rely too heavily on your place of work for outside value because it becomes exhausting for others. Furthermore, exhibiting attention seeking behaviors could hurt your credibility as a professional and disrupt those around you. This need for notice, the need for outside value, could end up lowering the outside value you receive, and then? Well, then you have a lowered sense of self-worth.
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#FeedbackLoopBitches
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It’s a Lot
Over the course of this series, we’ve barely scratched the surface of depression in all its un-glory. If you know someone with depression or are just looking to understand more, I hope this helps. For those of you dealing with depression, reach out for help when you need to. Discover ways to increase inside value. Work with a behavioral health specialist. And, please, if you or anyone you know is or may be contemplating harm to themselves or others, get help immediately.
Hallo, you fantastic beauties. I haven’t written for myself—or for you—in a long while. But here we are! Together again! Now, ahead of National Condom Month, I want to talk about depression. I’ll wait while you investigate whether that’s an actual thing. The condom part, I mean, not depression.
All joking aside, I’ve been wanting to talk about depression again for a while. The problem lies in how to address something so large and weighted with so many layers. I want to talk about depression in terms of self-worth and social implications, but to get there I feel like we need to walk through the various psychosomatic effects of depression, and to get there we need to touch on the relationship between depression, anxiety, and anger …
Well, fuck, let’s give it a try! What say you, Dave? Dave? Dave, why are you cowering in the corner?! Sorry, guys, I think Dave is going to sit this one out. Let’s dive in, shall we? And, don’t worry, darlings, this will be a two-parter.
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But seriously … February is National Condom Month. Suit up.
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The Fanning of the Flame (or if you’re southern: Adding a Little Lighter Fluid)
If you pop back over to my series on Mood and Anxiety Disorders, you’ll notice that depression and anxiety often go together … But anger? I’ve only recently thought about the relationship between anger and depression, but according to Fredric N. Busch’s article, Anger and Depression, “The oversimplified concept of depression as ‘anger directed inwards’ was a commonly held belief over many years in psychiatry.” Though today anger is more often considered a symptom of depression, there is little denying some type of correlation. Busch goes on to discuss defense mechanisms as applied to the anger-depression relationship. These mechanisms include denial, projection, passive aggression, reaction formation, and identification. Since denial, projection, and (everyone’s favorite) passive aggression are pretty familiar terms, I want to cover the other two in more detail:
Reaction formation (as presented by Busch citing Freud): The individual denies their anger and instead increases their efforts to help others. Since the underlying issues causing anger aren’t addressed, feelings of rage intensify and can become directed inward, exacerbating depression.
Identification: The individual links their self-image with someone who is aggressive and has made that person or others feel disempowered, frequently triggering guilty feelings which can exacerbate depression. This mechanism can help the individual with assertiveness, coping with anger, and creating boundaries but also has a lot to do with the idea of perceived power and can lead to abusive and controlling behavior.
While these psychoanalytic mechanisms are dated, more recent studies have also shown a correlation between depression and anger, whether that anger is outwardly expressed or not. According to Depression is More Than Just Sadness: A Case of Excessive Anger and Its Management in Depression: “Previous studies have revealed that patients with anger attacks are significantly more depressed, anxious, and have ideas of hopelessness compared to patients without anger attacks, and they were more likely to meet criteria for [histrionic, narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial] personality disorders in comparison to depressed patients without anger attacks.” The relationship between depression and anger causes a sort of feedback loop wherein anger can lead to depression and depression to anger. And, ultimately—obviously—the Dark Side.
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I mean … Hurray for royalty-free images, but damn…
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Depression: It’s a Pain in the Ass
Fun fact: not only can depression itself be debilitating, it can also lead to major chronic health issues and be a hindrance to rehabilitation and healing. Okay, okay, so it was a not-so-fun fact. According to Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017: “The consequences of [depression and anxiety] disorders in terms of lost health are huge. Depression is ranked by WHO as the single largest contributor to global disability (7.5% of all years lived with disability in 2015); anxiety disorders are ranked 6th (3.4%). Depression is also the major contributor to suicide deaths, which number close to 800,000 per year.” Spoiler alert, the situation hasn’t gotten any better.
Depression can play a role in immune, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal health—among others. According to Depression as a Risk Factor of Organic Diseases: An International Integrative Review, “Depression often predisposes individuals to physical illness and disease.” The review assesses findings from 23 studies that consider depression in relation to various physical illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, and asthma. While the review “offers evidence that depression can be a risk factor for physical illness and disease,” even more intriguing is the study of depression-related pain.
Some studies on depression and somatic pain have shown a correlation between the two, although causation proves difficult to identify. In some cases, individuals suffering from depression may experience such issues as low back pain, jaw pain, and acid reflux. While causation is unclear (it’s kind of a “chicken or egg” situation), the Depression as a Risk Factor review states that there is “a strong association […] shown between severe depression and somatization, and the somatic effects of depression were unrelated to organic disease (Aguilar‐Navarro & Avila‐Funes, 2007; Drayer et al. 2005).” If I’m citing something citing something, is that reverse inception? Anyway, the review goes on to say that “depression and pain are independent processes that share a common mechanism that can lead to the onset of each other.” Furthermore, individuals suffering from depression tend to experience a decrease in pain tolerance and increase in origin-less pains.
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I almost said “phantom pain,” but I didn’t want to be disrespectful to the Skywalker family members who can’t do this
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Next Week’s Titillating Adventure
Now that we’ve covered the relationship between anger and depression and the psychosomatic effects caused by the unholy trinity (just assume anxiety is a habitual lurker), we can dive into the self-worth and social implication side next week.
The extreme fear of public speaking is called glossophobia. Yes, it’s actually a phobia. It is a form of social anxiety disorder (SAD). The onset of this phobia often occurs when one is on stage or even when they are simply talking to their own family members or friends (in the most extreme of cases). Many people resort to dealing with this phobia by either avoiding talking completely or being utterly miserable while speaking.
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How CBD Can Help with the Fear of Public Speaking
CBD oil is rich in cannabinoids, which bind to certain receptors in the brain. According to a 2011 study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, the cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2, which play a significant role in the body and are present in our:
Liver
Kidneys
Lungs and other organs
These receptors are tasked with affecting the immune system and blood cell formation. All these make the endocannabinoid system that influences moods, appetite, pain, reproduction, memory, etc.
CB1 receptors are located in the brain, whereas the CB2 is found in the immune system. These locations help the receptors to fulfill their primary function of stress reduction, balanced immunity, neuroprotection, and homeostatic regulation.
CBD rapidly interacts with your body’s cells since it has a similar chemical composition and generates therapeutic effects that return your body to a state of balance.
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Cannabidiol in Anti-anxiety Studies
Studies show that the relationship between adenosine and cannabidiol help treat anxiety. Adenosine receptors play the major role in the cardiovascular system and affect the regulation of myocardial consumption of oxygen as well as blood flow.
So, when CBD stimulates the production of adenosine, there exists a rise of dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitters. Dopamine is tasked with motor control, motivation, perception, and reward, while glutamate affects memory, learning, cognition, and excitatory signals. Because of this, some benefits of CBD include helping with anxiety (with no THC side effects) and lowering resistance to anxious responses, which helps in a social setting—and with public speaking.
This 2012 study outlines CBD’s anxiolytic properties, which help with acute anxiety in humans. The study shows that a person with no stress or anxiety administered with CBD does not experience feelings of relaxation; however, administering when there was acute anxiety showed a significant anxiety-reducing effect. Though being efficient in the management of anxiety, there is no commonly accepted dose of CBD meant for treatment. When administered in animals, the result was a bell-shaped dose-response curve with moderate doses of anxiolytic that is lost at high doses.
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CBD vs THC for Anxiety
When looking for the most ideal anxiety management system between the two compounds, CBD is considered legal and non-psychoactive despite both compounds being of benefit to the patient. A number of people with anxiety cannot use THC because it encourages anxiety and an irrational state of mind.
Some findings suggest that THC also has the potential of reducing the onset of neuropathy and can serve as a treatment for insomnia, depression, nausea and appetite loss just as CBD does.
THC-Induced Anxiety: It’s worth noting that anxiety caused by THC can be counteracted by CBD at lower doses than the doses needed when managing anxiety from acute stress. For instance, a dose of 15-60mg and 70mg were able to manage anxiety caused by THC, a dose lower than what is required to manage acute stress-induced anxiety.
Chronic Anxiety: In cases of chronic anxiety, the doses administered are generally lower. This is attributed to the changes in the endocannabinoid system in people with chronic anxiety. No clinical studies have been undertaken to establish a regular dosing regimen for chronic anxiety.
When using CBD oil yourself, doses and effects may differ.
It is recommended that you try low doses of CBD and see how it works first. You can begin with a dose of 10mg to experiment, unlike the huge doses used in studies, 400mg and 600mg, which are high. It’s better to start with a lower dose to learn its effects rather than diving into the unchartered waters of the unknown high doses or potentially wasting your CBD oil altogether.
From the findings, CBD is highly recommended to be administered to persons with social anxiety. CBD showed a significant reduction of anxiety that seen in speech performance discomforts and cognitive impairment. When administered, all these signs decrease and alertness in anticipatory speech decrease is seen.
Meditation has long been practiced within the Buddhist religion as a means for heightened awareness. In society today, you may think of people who practice meditation as being hippies or activists of some kind. The truth is meditation has amazing qualities for anyone who can set aside time for the practice. This includes those needing relief from everyday stressors or those who seek mental clarity.
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has been introduced within the past few years as another route to achieving calmness. It has been gaining in popularity within the yoga and meditation communities. There are many people who practice meditation who also incorporate CBD into their routine for heightened benefits. Unlike the THC also found in the cannabis sativa plant, CBD will not get you high.
Below are three of the top 3 benefits for practicing meditation with CBD. If you seek to find mental clarity, self-awareness, and/or relief from symptoms of anxiety or stress, then this could be an interesting endeavor for you to try.
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Stress Relief and Reduced Anxiety
As humans in the 21st century, we are constantly busy. Our world today paints the picture of perfect living as one that has us working in high-paying jobs, living in huge houses, and driving high-end cars. Plus, we’re inundated with media on all our different screens, from our phones and laptops to TVs. This sort of materialistic driven living can produce a lot of stressors. We all want to be successful and have nice things, but at what cost to our own happiness?
Monday morning rolls around and we find ourselves dreading work. We make memes about it and post them to our social media accounts, just so everyone knows we dislike our job. But, we still do it. What choice do we have? If we want to live a good life attaining success and acquiring material items, sometimes the job becomes a necessary evil and a source of anxiousness. However, with products like Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies, you can overcome that dreadful anxiety.
Stress and anxiety can develop into physical symptoms throughout our body. For this reason, many people have turned to those Buddhist rooted traditions like meditation. According to some physicians, CBD can promote physical and mental relaxation and reduce levels of anxiety.
CBD for anxiety, along with guided meditation, can increase the level of relaxation for both your mind and body. It has been shown to provide mental clarity, help develop different moods, and prevent the brain from reacting to certain chemicals that cause the body to feel pain. This can be extremely helpful if you are seeking to reduce stress and anxiety, and effectively gain more mindfulness within your daily life.
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Improved Mental Clarity
Some people experience brain fog or a cloudy feeling in their mind at times. This can be due to high levels of anxiety and stress interrupting proper mental functions. This is when it can be useful to meditate or practice yoga. To get the most out of these practices and truly reduce stress levels, you can incorporate CBD to your routine. Researchers have proven that products that contain CBD with very low levels of THC can and do help with mental clarity and relaxation.
Meditation has already shown to produce many health benefits. It can promote overall happiness that can lead to a reduction of stress and anxiety. This is why many yoga studios across the country are taking the opportunity to use CBD in coordination with their practice. If one of these is already known to give us more mental clarity and heightened happiness, then both combined should amplify the results. However, some yoga class attendees aren’t so sure. The main reason being that most CBD products do take time to metabolize. This would mean that to have an optimal experience in using both, it would be better to take some form of CBD daily and within certain time frames. Taking right before a yoga class may not get you the results you are looking for.
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Advancement in Mental Health Practices
Scientists have been researching the various effects that CBD has on mental health and have begun using CBD when applicable. This emergence of practical everyday use of CBD has led many people with mental health disorders to try various forms of the product. Along with therapy and guided meditations for those dealing with social anxiety and mood disorders, relief has been found without continued use of prescription medications in some patients.
The government has been pressured for years when it comes to legalizing CBD. Sixteen states have legalized or decriminalized possession of CBD with little to no THC largely thanks to medical professionals who are studying the benefits of CBD and its growing number of applications.
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Growing Benefits
As society moves forward on the road to enlightenment, the use of multiple practices to help relieve symptoms like stress and anxiety is growing rapidly. Meditation has long been used as a foundation for bringing a person back to a tranquil state of mind. The continued research and use of CBD products coupled with this practice will be the advancement needed for many people to reach their overall health goals.
When we think of dogs, we tend to imagine a happy, goofy companion that loves to play and, most of all, loves to sit right by our side. A running joke in the dog-parent community is the fact that our pooches absolutely lack personal space and it is usually impossible to even go to the bathroom in peace. What most people don’t realize is that our canine companions can experience emotional issues like stress, anxiety, and depression. What’s more, because the powers that be failed to give dogs the ability to talk, the only way they can get our attention to alert us that something is wrong is by acting out in some very strange ways.
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Why Do Dogs Start Behaving Strangely Overnight?
More often than not, if your dog’s behavior is normal and he is otherwise in good health, a sudden change in behavior could indicate that your pup is experiencing stress and/or anxiety. And here’s the thing about anxiety—we can’t control it most of the time and we have no idea where it comes from. The same is true for our dogs when they start feeling anxious as a result of being left on their own for extended periods of time or due to a lack of exercise or a change in environment. So, it’s not that they have suddenly become anxious or unwell; it’s more that their symptoms have become severe enough for them to seek help by getting our attention, or they could also be self-soothing by using bizarre behavior as a coping mechanism.
If you notice any of the following strange behaviors in your dog, then they are sending you a signal that something is awry, and you should take action right away to stop the problem worsening.
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1. Your Dog Seems to Be Unable to Focus
If your seemingly intelligent dog starts randomly distracting himself and is unable to focus on one task (like a game of fetch) he could be trying to release pent-up stress. A common displacement behavior is pacing and obsessively sniffing the ground, or compulsively licking paws. If you notice that your dog is suddenly acting out in this way, then it is likely he is suffering from a bout of anxiety. At this stage, you should make a mental note of any poignant changes that have taken place regarding your dog’s routine or living environment and try to restore normality as best as possible.
2. Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
Sometimes a pet will obsessively scratch himself or pace around as he is struggling to deal with anxiety. This is often the result of an impending event, such as fireworks or you leaving for a trip (trust me, they just know). The problem is this kind of behavior can end up being quite harmful to your dog, especially if they are scratching themselves raw.
3. They Suddenly Forget Where to Go Potty
A common sign of stress or anxiety in dogs is peeing in the house in a particular spot even though they are completely housebroken. This is a major warning sign that something isn’t right and if you notice that your dog pees in the same place every time you leave them alone, it is a clear indication of separation anxiety. Please note: this is not the same as incontinence. If your dog isn’t capable of controlling their bladder at all, then you need to visit your vet ASAP as it could be the start of a serious disease.
4. Clingy Behavior
Some dogs need their own space while others love to cuddle close to you at all times. This is one of their lovable traits, as we rely on our dogs for reassurance and affection as much as they do us. But, if your dog has suddenly become super clingy and whiney when he can’t hop onto your lap, then this indicates a problem that needs to be addressed. Pandering to a dog’s negative behavior is only going to reinforce and worsen the issue, not improve it.
5. Aggression
If your otherwise docile pet suddenly becomes aggressive this could be an indication that he is in pain. Your first step should be to take him to the vet to rule out any serious injuries. If the behavior continues, but your dog isn’t sick, it is likely that the aggression is fear-based and could stem from anxiety.
There are many other strange behaviors that can indicate stress or anxiety, but the above are not as common as others and therefore are easily missed.
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How to Overcome These Issues
Now that you understand where your dog’s bizarre behaviors are potentially coming from, it’s time to decide what steps you are going to take to correct the problem. It is worth noting that a combination of tactics to alleviate stress and anxiety work better than using a single method.
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CBD Oil
CBD oil is an excellent natural remedy that has powerful healing properties when it comes to treating issues like pain or anxiety. There is already a substantial amount of evidence that shows it can alleviate a range of negative symptoms. Thanks to medical research and CBD oil’s increasing popularity as an alternative medicine, we can only expect more positive news regarding its therapeutic potential in the coming years.
Many dog owners are now choosing to treat anxiety in dogs with CBD oil as it is entirely plant-based and offers a wealth of benefits including anti-inflammatory properties. Many mainstream veterinarians are now advocating the use of CBD to treat a range of canine ailments, primarily anxiety.
Crate Training
If your dog has suddenly started chewing or destroying things around the house, then you could consider crate training. When done properly, it offers your dog a safe haven where they can go to seek respite from their stress. It will also stop them from engaging in destructive behavior that could harm them.
Behavioral Training
If you feel that your dog’s anxiety or strange behavior is getting out of control, it might be time to consult a behavioral therapist. Dogs are pack animals and they need to see you as their pack leader in order to listen and obey you when you tell them to stop baring their teeth or chewing up your favorite pair of shoes.
As always, before you take matters into your own hands, always try to seek professional advice on what you can do to eliminate your dog’s negative behavior.
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Author bio: Jennifer is the voice behind the FOMO Bones blog. She’s pretty sure she was a Great Dane in her past life, but her team at FOMO pegs her as more of a Labrador. Regardless of her breed, she’s a dog enthusiast with 15 years’ experience training dogs and owner.
Research has shown that CBD oils have been used in more recent years to help people and animals with a plethora of mental and physical illnesses. Hemp oil differs from CBD oil in that it contains no cannabinoids. Hemp oil and CBD oil are derived from the hemp plant, but they come from different parts of the plant.
If you’ve ever bought a bottle of CBD oil tincture, you know how expensive it can be. To lower costs, we wanted to share with you a couple of ways you could make your own. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make CBD tincture!
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Is it Legal?
Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to make their own CBD tincture. You do need to live in a state where cannabis is legal, as these methods require you to use the cannabis plant in the recipe. President Trump passed a farm bill in December of 2018 that you can take a look at to help you understand how CBD is legal and the future of cannabis in the United States.
CBD is legal in most states, and doctors may even suggest it to their patients as a natural medicine route for alleviating things like pain or anxiety. Check to see if your state has legalized CBD and cannabis use before getting started with the recipes.
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What Strains to Use
There are plenty of different strains available, and they’re good for different things. Consider what you’ll be using the tincture for before choosing a strain. Pay attention to the THC to CBD ratio when looking for a strain to use for a CBD tincture. If you don’t want to feel any euphoric effects, opt for one with little to no THC.
If you struggle with headaches, anxiety, or inflammation, you’d do best to use a strain of ACDC.
Targeting stress and anxiety is what a Harlequin strain will do. It’s known for calming people down, but it’s good to keep in mind that even though it has a high CBD content, it also has a high THC content.
If you want something that won’t give you the effects of feeling high, consider a strain of Charlotte’s Web. It’s one of the most popular strains in the world and is great if you struggle with eating disorders.
Harle-Tsu is the best fit for people looking for pain relief. It’s known for having a high CBD amount while having less than one percent of THC. In addition to helping with pain, this strain also helps with inflammation. Due to its low THC content, this strain is also good for those that don’t want the effects of feeling inebriated.
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Two Methods of Making CBD Tincture
The two methods we’ll be covering today are the oil method and the ethanol method. Please follow these directions as closely as possible to get the best homemade CBD tincture.
Ethanol Method
Some people will call this the alcohol method because it uses ethanol. Just about anyone can use this method, and it’s great if you’ve never made CBD oil before. You don’t need any special equipment or set of skills to make CBD oil this way.
The two main reasons you want to use alcohol is because it won’t leave a gross smell or taste in the final product. Follow the directions below to make CBD oil this way!
What you’ll need:
Hemp
Ceramic bowl
Alcohol
Stove
Wooden spoon
Straining bag/sieve
Double boiler
Container for the CBD tincture
Instructions:
Get your preferred strain of hemp and place it in a ceramic bowl
Pour in the alcohol until the hemp is covered
Stir continuously for around six minutes
Take your spoon to remove the resin
Use your sieve or straining bag as a filter, squeezing as much out as you can
Repeat step five until you think all of the oil is out
Take the oil extract and pour it into your double boiler
Put the double boiler on the stove until you begin to see bubbles
Keep doing this until all of the alcohol has evaporated
With a low flame, allow it to simmer for around half an hour
Mix the substance in your double boiler
Once it’s cooled, transfer into an appropriate container with a proper seal
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Oil Method
Before you start with the oil method, you’ll need to choose a carrier oil that you prefer. There are benefits from different oils like sunflower oil, coconut oil, and more. The oil method is much more time consuming, but many people prefer it over the alcohol method. Choose which oil you like best and follow the directions below for your own homemade CBD oil!
What you’ll need:
Carrier oil
Hemp
Oven
Jar
A pan
Stove
Water
Towel
Thermometer
Cheesecloth
Container for CBD oil
Instructions:
Using your choice of cannabis, place the buds in the oven at 220 degrees for an hour and a half
Once cooled, use a grinder to grind up the buds and separate the stems
Take your jar and mix in the ground up hemp with the carrier oil you chose
Make sure the oil covers the hemp completely
The amount of oil you use depends on how potent you’d like the final product to be—more oil will make it less potent and vice versa
Put water in a pan and place on the stove
Place the jar with the mixture inside the pan until the water begins to boil
Make sure the jar has a lid to keep the contents secure
Take the jar off the heat and place it on a towel
Take the temperature of the oil, making sure it’s reached at least 200 degrees
Place it back in the pan and continue letting it “cook” for a few hours on a low heat
Check occasionally to make sure the water hasn’t evaporated
After three hours, turn the stove off and allow the mixture to sit for an additional three hours while the CBD continues to extract from the cannabis
Repeat steps 11-13 again and then leave the oil overnight
The next day, take a cheesecloth to strain the extract into a proper container and store with a tight lid
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Final Words
If after reading this you’re feeling a bit intimidated, that’s normal. If it all seems too much, you can always buy a bottle of CBD oil online. Your finished oil can now be ingested in several ways. The most popular ways are orally, topically, or with a vape pen. Following either set of directions above exactly will get you a much more cost-efficient bottle of CBD oil to help you with pain, anxiety, stress, or whatever ailments you choose to use it for! Good luck!
It’s not uncommon for you to hear that people suffer from anxiety. In fact, there’s a good chance you know someone who suffers from it. But do you really know what it is? Anxiety is considered an uneasy feeling that is accompanied by both concern and worry, most of the time about some upcoming situation or event. Many of these instances are also filled with great uncertainty, as well.
Now, the upcoming events don’t have to be a big thing. People with anxiety can start having symptoms from a wide range of events, from studying for a test to visiting a new place. Anything can bring on anxiety if you have it.
If you have an anxiety disorder, then you know firsthand that it can persist in your everyday life. You can start feeling anxious to such an extent that it affects your relationships, overall well-being, and even your work.
Similar to most other disorders, there are several different types of anxiety, including:
Each type of anxiety has its own debilitating symptoms that are slightly different from other types. Since there are so many different types of anxiety, it is a very common disorder that affects almost one-third of adults at one point or another in their life.
If you have one form or another of anxiety, there are several herbal remedies for anxiety that may help alleviate your symptoms. These herbal remedies have been studied specifically in regard to treating anxiety, so have been extensively researched. Remember to always do your own research and consult your doctor before trying any new herbal supplement or remedy.
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1. Passion Flower
Clinical trials have shown that passion flower may be able to help with anxiety. Since passion flower is usually mixed with other herbs in most commercial products and supplements, it is difficult to distinguish the particular qualities of the herb. As long as you take it as directed, passion flower is considered to be safe; however, there have been studies founding that it can also cause dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.
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2. Kava
While initial studies were very promising and showed great benefits in anxiety treatment, later reports claimed that kava had the potential to cause serious damage to the liver. These reports, while they have been questioned, have caused the FDA to put out warnings about dietary supplements that contain kava. If you do decide to try kava to help with your anxiety, be sure to use caution and get your doctor involved to monitor any side effects.
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3. Valerian
Studies have shown that Valerian users reported a lower amount of stress and anxiety than those who did not use it. Valerian is also considered to be safe if you follow the dosage guidelines. It can, however, cause some minor side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches.
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4. Lavender
You may already know that lavender is popular in aromatherapy, but it is also popular as an oral supplement. This is because lavender will help you to reduce your anxiety. While the evidence about this is somewhat limited, side effects of taking oral lavender have been known to include headaches and constipation. On top of that, it can also increase your appetite.
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5. Marijuana
Marijuana for the treatment of anxiety is one of the most common reasons that people use it. This is because studies have shown evidence that marijuana can be extremely effective for treating anxiety disorders, no matter what the type. In fact, using cannabis to treat anxiety was first recorded in the year 1563. Garcia de Orta, a Portuguese physician, stated that it would remove all cares and worries from anxiety sufferers. He described marijuana as helping to calm and relax you, and may even put you in a hypnotic state.
If being used to treat anxiety for almost 500 years wasn’t enough, long-term users of marijuana have reported that they have noticed reduced levels of anxiety and stress and an increase in relaxation. Studies have also been done to confirm what many throughout the years have claimed. In 2014, a study from Vanderbilt University discovered that regularly smoking marijuana can potentially increase a naturally occurring chemical in the brain known as endocannabinoids, which become reduced during times of extra stress. While this is not definitively proven, researchers have a theory that this reduction in endocannabinoids is one of the major causes of anxiety.
Finally, marijuana is not only safer and more effective in treating anxiety than traditional anxiety medicines, but it can also help you get off any prescribed anxiety medicines, most of which normally have some extreme side effects like dizziness, internal bleeding, and even rectal bleeding. When you are looking for the best herbal remedies for anxiety, remember that herbal supplements are not regulated or monitored by the FDA. This means that some company’s quality may be a little lower than what is led to believe.
If you are thinking about using an herbal remedy to help treat your anxiety, be sure to speak with your doctor prior to starting. While there are many different herbal remedies available to help you treat anxiety, you should always be sure to do your research on them before testing them out. This way you’ll be safe and will limit any potentially hazardous side effects that may be caused by your new herbal remedies for anxiety.
RJ Plant 