1. < Depression & Anxiety

Using CBD oil to help taper off anxiety & depression meds?

Posted by tundra @tundra, Apr 14, 2018

I am currently in tolerance taking 30mg a day of Serepax (Oxazepam). I want to get off the benzo and realize I have to taper after 15 years of being on it. Has anyone used CBD oil minus the THC to taper off benzo's?

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Rescue2 | @rescue2 | Jan 25, 2019
In reply to @gettingbetter75 "Before discovering the wonders of CBD, tapering from Benzos have been difficult, to say the least...." + (show)
@gettingbetter75

Before discovering the wonders of CBD, tapering from Benzos have been difficult, to say the least. I've experienced almost all of the classical symptoms with the brief exception of nausea. CBD has helped alleviate, irritability, headaches, muscle pain and stiffness let alone the anxiety for which I was taking clonazepam. I was taking 3mg - 4mg at my peak and I'm now down to 0.75mg. I've been taking these drugs since my early 20's and I'm now in my early 40's. For whatever reason, I simply came across some online resources which were spelling out the benefits of quitting these drugs, mostly feeling ALIVE again and not in a constant state of drowsiness and emotional blunting. You don't know how deeply these drugs affect you until you get off of them. I'm also aware that I still have a substantial journey ahead of me but this is an amazing beginning.

I just started the most recent taper (1mg to 0.75mg) 5 days ago and I'm feeling OK. I do have a bit of trouble sleeping, especially after waking in the middle of the night. I should also add that I quit sleeping aids at this time also (Unisom specifically, 5 days ago). Through help from this forum, I've switched Unisom for melatonin. It knocks me out at night but as I mentioned, I'm working through falling back asleep after waking in the middle of the night. The fact that I've been able to maintain such a low dose of clonazepam (for me) along with complete elimination of Unisom is nothing short of remarkable for me and I'm quite proud of that. I've gone from 3mg to 1.5mg without CBD and it was extremely difficult with a very high level of irritability and insomnia. This most recent taper from 1.5mg to 0.75mg (in 0.25mg increments) was done with the help of CBD and there is a tangible difference.

CBD (tinctures/oil, caps and or dry flower (High CBD, negligible THC)) has helped tremendously to help deal Benzodiazepine withdrawal. If I'm having a particularly difficult day, I will use one of the above delivery methods depending on my environment. For example, if I'm at home, I will vape it as it's the quickest delivery method (seconds). If I'm traveling, I will use either the tincture or gelcap. I should also add that I live in Canada so I have access to regulated CBD flower, oils, and gel caps, although at a steep price. For those us actively trying to taper from these difficult drugs, I think we can all agree that it's difficult to put a price on alleviating withdrawal symptoms.

Hope this helps and please note this is my experience only.

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Best of luck to you. I've been on benzos for almost twenty years.

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Rescue2 | @rescue2 | Jan 25, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@merpreb I tried it once maybe it wasn't the right dose but it didn't do anything..." + (show)
@lioness

@merpreb I tried it once maybe it wasn't the right dose but it didn't do anything for me how do you know what you need and how much I don't have any guidelines on it

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That's the problem with CBD. There are no guidelines as to how much to take. I'm not making any claim to its efficacy, it just didn't work for me but everybody is different. If it is found clinically to be effective there should be some guidelines.

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1 reply
gettingbetter75 | @gettingbetter75 | Jan 25, 2019

I fill my vaporizer twice a night which is about 1/4 gram. The total daily dose would be about 1/2 gram of a CBD dominant strain on a typical night. I've specifically been taking a strain by Aurora Cannabis called "Temple" and I'm also trying one from Aphria called "Free". On a day where I feel I need more, I will take up to a full gram. CBD is homeostatic which means it's self-regulating. You cannot overdo it.

As for the capsules, 2 - 4 taken as necessary. As for the oil/tincture, about 1mg. I don't take these altogether as an FYI. One delivery method or the other.

I'm quite determined to get off these drugs and I'm trying to do so responsibly by doing a lot of research online. Once the benzos have stopped working, they do more harm than good. They actually made more anxious. I feel better on this lower dose than I have in a long time. I was taking these with a mindset that I'd be on them for life similar to blood pressure medication. However, they've run their course.

Good information here:

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gettingbetter75 | @gettingbetter75 | Jan 25, 2019

And no, I do not work for this company. It's just a good resource to understand the effects of CBD.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 26, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@merpreb I tried it once maybe it wasn't the right dose but it didn't do anything..." + (show)
@lioness

@merpreb I tried it once maybe it wasn't the right dose but it didn't do anything for me how do you know what you need and how much I don't have any guidelines on it

Jump to this post

Good morning @lioness There are no official guidelines- I think for now it's a crap shoot because it's unregulated. However, due to a lot of the postings here, you can see some of the answers. This is my experience: At my compassion center I was told to start with a full dropper from a 100 ml bottle. That was 10 mgs of CBD oil along with flavoring. If that didn't work to increase it. Taken daily and at the same time it will build up in your system. Here is some help
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treatment-with-medical-cannabis/
https://www.dawsoncreekmirror.ca/opinion/columnists/knowing-the-difference-between-hemp-oil-and-cbd-oil-1.23381063
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221.php

Hope this helps

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jan 26, 2019
In reply to @rescue2 "That's the problem with CBD. There are no guidelines as to how much to take. I'm..." + (show)
@rescue2

That's the problem with CBD. There are no guidelines as to how much to take. I'm not making any claim to its efficacy, it just didn't work for me but everybody is different. If it is found clinically to be effective there should be some guidelines.

Jump to this post

@rescue2 I guess thats where it is no guidelines so until they have some I,ll stick with what I,m doing Thanks

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 26, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning @lioness There are no official guidelines- I think for now it's a crap shoot..." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning @lioness There are no official guidelines- I think for now it's a crap shoot because it's unregulated. However, due to a lot of the postings here, you can see some of the answers. This is my experience: At my compassion center I was told to start with a full dropper from a 100 ml bottle. That was 10 mgs of CBD oil along with flavoring. If that didn't work to increase it. Taken daily and at the same time it will build up in your system. Here is some help
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treatment-with-medical-cannabis/
https://www.dawsoncreekmirror.ca/opinion/columnists/knowing-the-difference-between-hemp-oil-and-cbd-oil-1.23381063
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221.php

Hope this helps

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@merpreb thanks ,very informative Im starting with a new rheumatologist and will talk to him I,ve tried all the known meds for fibromyalgia known help Im med. sensitive .

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2 replies
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Jan 27, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@merpreb thanks ,very informative Im starting with a new rheumatologist and will talk to him I,ve..." + (show)
@lioness

@merpreb thanks ,very informative Im starting with a new rheumatologist and will talk to him I,ve tried all the known meds for fibromyalgia known help Im med. sensitive .

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@lioness- Here's something for you to read: https://www.namaste.com/blogs/news/what-is-cannabis

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jan 27, 2019
In reply to @merpreb "@lioness- Here's something for you to read: https://www.namaste.com/blogs/news/what-is-cannabis" + (show)

@merpreb I have used Hemp oil and the seeds I put in my smoothie also on skin Didn't realize out of 1 little plant there is so much and many uses Thanks

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2 replies
stephanieann | @stephanieann | Jan 28, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@merpreb I have used Hemp oil and the seeds I put in my smoothie also on..." + (show)
@lioness

@merpreb I have used Hemp oil and the seeds I put in my smoothie also on skin Didn't realize out of 1 little plant there is so much and many uses Thanks

Jump to this post

Hi,
Re getting off anti psychotic medication and other meds
My son has been using CBD tincture for the past 6 months and has been weaned off of Guanficine and Clonopin and is doing better than he was when taking those drugs. Has anyone had experience weaning off of an atypical antipsychotic in conjunction with using CBD. After dong some research on the internet getting off an anti psychotic may be much harder I understand CBD has been effective with some in getting off anti psychotic mds. . Any guidance advice comments appreciated or perhaps Mayo has another site that addresses this?? Thanks

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