eSCAping Type 1

“Ataxia sucks. Weed makes it suck less.” I once read that on a Support Group page and still think about it far more than I should. Can’t recall who said it, but I love the simplistic accuracy of it. Thanks, friend.

It’s legal. And I’m unemployed. And I have a Medical card. And it helps. So I’m writing about it.

You see, medically speaking, weed stimulates my appetite to help me eat. (Cue the, “Oh I wish I had that problem! Being skinny isn’t even a tough issue to fix. Go eat a hamburger.” No, you don’t. Yes, it is. Go lick sand.) Also, it relaxes my muscles to help me sleep – something my body’s not so good at anymore.

But, when it comes down to it, weed – above everything else I’ve tried – is just a really good *escape.*

It’s nice to quickly & easily relax after being anxious all day – something that comes with knowing part of your brain is progressively deteriorating, even if you’re not physically doing much. It’s a great way to let your thoughts go on an adventure while your body chills on the couch. And it’s good not ever being even slightly hungover.

For the record, marijuana is NOT some magical cure-all. It WILL alleviate SOME of your symptoms. It’s not for everyone, but now that it can be used by pretty much anyone I’m gonna provide you with some “experienced expertise.”

(I’m 33, had an emo phase in high school, and was a Creative Writing major in college… don’t judge me.)

First and foremost, marijuana is kind of like wine. Or antidepressants (iykyk). Or cheese. Take your metaphorical pick. While all weed is similar, different kinds have different effects. Any cannabis with THC will get you high (just like how any wine will get you drunk), but now that we’re using it for other purposes, you need to know that some strains are going to work for you far better than others will. 

For example, the one that helps me eat is not the same one that helps me sleep… but they both help me relax.

Now, due to their growing popularity, let’s mention CBD products. Medical marijuana has both cannabinoids in it. But, since “CBD Products” don’t have any THC and therefore will not get you high, they are completely legal for everyone everywhere. These can definitely help with certain ailments, but, personally, I benefit more from the added effects of THC, soooooo it might be good to start here?

Buttttt let’s say you want some real-deal marijuana. Ok.

Start with Indica vs. Sativa (kinda like Red vs. White wine), based on your general expected outcome. Do you want to be in-da-couch or social? Do you want a body high or a head high? What time of day is it?

Then you can narrow it down even further by specific strain; think of Sour Diesel is like Chardonnay, but Lemon Haze is like Reisling. Again, both cannabis, both Indica, but slightly different.

Then there’s dosing – how much of each “ingredient” is in your particular product? Kind of like how a higher alcohol percentage in a bottle of wine will get you more drunk, a stronger THC amount will get you more high. (CBD products must have <0.3% THC to be legal.) 

Lastly (or maybe THIS is your priority and you start here?) there’s the form/the product itself. Ataxia has made it pretty impossible for me to ignite a lighter (damn fine motor skills), so it’s edibles for this girl! But that doesn’t mean I’m munching on candy all day. There’s a powder I can stir in coffee in the morning, and a mint that dissolves under my tongue at night.

Basically, I’m saying the more particular your desired outcome is, the more particular your selection should be.

If you’ve never smoked before, and you eat a 10mg Sativa Gummy right before bed, it probably did NOT have that sleepy, relaxing feeling you were hoping for. That doesn’t mean “all weed is bad” or “marijuana doesn’t work,” it just means you’ve got some more experimenting to do.

Next blog post will give you more specific info, like how I got my Medical ID card without leaving my house and some product & resource recommendations. Remember to subscribe so you get an email each time a new blog post is published!

Be a lot cooler if you did.