I finally got weeded off a ton of medication. I dropped three-quarters of Gabapentin, halved the Zanaflex, Celebrex (to which I wonder if it works and that some guy stuck a placebo in the casing), and all of the Carbidopa-Levodopa. In theory, Carbidopa-Levodopa has withdrawal symptoms if one reduces too quickly but suffice only one night and one day; I experienced no significant issues. In truth, I experience fewer Parkinson’s problems without Carbidopa-Levodopa than I did with it. Now I am down to several 220mg of Aleve and 2ml of CBD Oil purchased from Medterra. (No, I do not receive any royalties.)

The CDB Oil was new for me. I’ve never been known to shove ‘alternative’ medications down my throat but became intrigued by CBD Oil after watching the Larry Smith (aka ‘Ride with Larry’) YouTube video. Mr. Smith was a former police captain who had Parkinson’s. In the 2012 video, Mr. Smith’s symptoms abated within a few minutes of inhaling some form of cannabis (maybe a vaping type instrument). Unfortunately, eight years later, Smith passed away, but I wonder if cannabis treatment assisted him or not. So, after about 80 hours of research, l ordered some CBD from Medterra. When asked if I could be monitored through my Neuro’s office staff and expertise, I was kindly instructed not to return – that I would be alone.

The stated reason for this had to do with a deeply held belief that I’m never alone, even when I’m alone. My simple plan was to withdraw as much medication as possible slowly. “You’re doing this alone?” someone quizzed. “Yeah. Sure, why not?” I shrugged. All the medication I have been taking has made me feel like shit. Outside of withdrawal issues, I thought I had nothing to lose. “Alone?” another mouthed.

I never feared going alone. After suffering so many repercussions, Goff speaking out of turn, my life’s vision was heavy on silence and solitude. Granted, I am always looking for God’s revelation, but I presumed such awe-inspiring moments would come from personal conversations with God while walking under the stars of the Milky Way or a sanguine beach. I know that beneath my veneer of spirituality, I wholeheartedly bought into materialism and individualism. It was such a twisted model that for years, I justified materialism as a sign of maturity. The fruits of which never came from love; but from pride, self-aggrandizement, and ignorance. Despite myself, God remained steadfast with me. Why? I have no clue. Yet, I knew I wasn’t alone.

One of the most complex parts of CBD is trying to determine dosage. Since medical professionals were unavailable, Google returned over 8 million search responses after typing, ‘Correct dosage for CBD oil.‘ I thought it was a fairly unambiguous statement. But 8 million results, with the most resulting, ‘The amount of CBD taken depends on a range of factors, including body weight, the condition being treated, body chemistry, and CBD dose concentration.‘ In essence, that meant, ‘Dude. You’re on your own.’

Yeah, the one thing about having God as one’s principle companion is that unless whatever you’re researching is documented in the King James Bible, one is unlikely to get directions. For instance, how to paddle from San Francisco to Hawaii is not in the Bible. And why did God make ants? I mean literally, ‘Why?’ I believe it’s an important question, but God’s answer to ants is not in the Bible. The ‘Big Bang.’ what came before it? [i.e., the ‘Big Bang’]. and for Godsakes, why did Cubs management sell all its key players and decided onsite sports betting was a good? Eh, not in the Bible. In a similar vain, CBD oil dosage requirements is not in the Bible. I looked. So, yeah. Therefore, I took the Indiana Jones form of project management: I made it up as I went. 

In the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jones, Salleh, and Marion are atop a dirt mound (hill) overlooking a German airfield. After seeing the truck depart, Jones realizes the Ark is in one of the trucks. Jones announces he’s going after the truck. An astonished Shalleh asks, “How?” Jones’s answer: “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go.” That confession exposes many a man. Often, we have no true north. There is no compass. We make it up as we go. Thus, there should be no surprise when I was left to roam Google to find dosage.

There is no standardization of CBD dosing. There are no FDA recommendations. Dosage varies from person to person. Many CBD droppers portion the level of CBD, usually .25 ml, .50 ml, .75 ml, and 1.0 ml. Various websites suggest starting with ten drops under the tongue for a week and increasing, as required. Other sites indicate 1.0 ml in the morning and evening. The problem comes in dosing with different CBD products. For example, is a .5 ml dose of CBD+CBG oil the same as CBD+THC? Is the .5 ml dose the same when using an isolate (one specific oil and nothing else), like CBD?

Aiming ten drops of CBD with a tilted head is like threading a needle blindfolded. As a result, I shifted to .25 ml to start. Of course, if you feel excessively ‘macho,’ you drop an entire 1.0 ml and see if heavenly angels appear. 

I have been using some form of CBD for several months. My CBD dose was .25 ml taken around 10:30 AM. By 10:40, both mind and eyesight were significantly clearer. And that’s about it. My usage has not provided any deep insights into God, allowed me to solve serious mathematical problems, nor graced me with the ability to run a marathon. Did CBD alleviate my symptoms as it did for Larry Smith? Have I become pain-free? Have there been any significant changes? No. No. And no. 

The most significant change I made was understanding the interactions from all the medications. Gabapentin, Zanaflex, Tizanidine, Celebrex, Carbidopa-Levodopa, aspirin, and Tylenol had impacted me. Everything taken for chronic pain was causing more chronic pain. And, on days awaking in pain, I couldn’t tell if that pain was from the Carbidopa-Levodopa, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, heart function, or medication. My hope is that tapering down these medications will allowed me to live better with what’s left. 

I can walk with less pain. I perceive I am thinking more clearly. But, don’t I still have pain? Yes. Am I still dying? Of course. Buddhists and Buddhist sects denounce and have historically frowned upon using medication that hinders an enlightened mind. Unfortunately, at this point, my body is impervious to drugs. And while medication can assist in living life, it’s not a substitute for life itself.