Alternative therapies

[Onepilot]

Hello aviators
im posting here as I’m Australian and a pilot for a airline.
I’ve had relatively minor mental health issues, depression, anxiety, insomnia. Annoying but not debilitating. I’ve been on medications etc but it’s been suggested and I’ve not been keen that “Alternative therapies” may help. Primarily medicinal Cannabis is becoming more common.
Now firstly it would be doctor prescribed but I’m not sure the value of the “Doctor” let’s be honest.
Secondly, there is no way I’d be entering a discussion witb CaSA about this.
legitimate prescription medicinal cannabis is my understanding THC removed.
Any thoughts on how that would go on a random drug test. Don’t want to find that one out the hard way.
Has anybody ‘dabbled’ in the alternative therapies and found success.
I’ve been reading some very interesting stuff about psycadelics but that’s not available in Australia. Not to mention the testing dilemmas.
Appreciate honest helpful answers

[anonfly]

There have been numerous articles in the SMH and The Age recently about medical cannabis which I would recommend reading.
A brief summary is that Australian Law hasn’t kept up once again with the changing landscape. So whilst medical marijuna is legal, of which you can get in CBD form or THC, it is still illegal to drive under the influence.
Now whilst most medical experts agree that the the “intoxication” lasts about 3-10hrs dependent on dose you can actually still provide a positive roadside test for drugs sometimes up to 4 days later, as all it tests for is if there is a drug present.
Advocates for medical cannabis are asking for an overhaul of the current testing regime as you can be driving around on high dose opioids but can’t drive around with cannabis in your system.
A major shift towards determining an acceptable amount of THC is needed.
So until this happens I’d stay clear as you are unfortunately only opening yourself up to a major can of worms

[redsnail]

We had a presentation from a company who does D&A testing and he's a former UK Policeman. Quite an interesting chap and presentation.
CBD will trigger a "non negative" result with the initial testing done on site. The more detailed lab test will show it's CBD but by then you'll be off the flight and all that entails.
While you'll be cleared of drug use etc, the rumour mill will be in overdrive as to why you were taken off a flight etc.

Some research is coming out about the benefits of rhythmic non competitive exercise in the easing of depressive symptoms. By rhythmic I am talking about walking, running, swimming, cycling etc.
Has this been suggested to you?
Good luck.

[Onepilot]

We had a presentation from a company who does D&A testing and he's a former UK Policeman. Quite an interesting chap and presentation.
CBD will trigger a "non negative" result with the initial testing done on site. The more detailed lab test will show it's CBD but by then you'll be off the flight and all that entails.
While you'll be cleared of drug use etc, the rumour mill will be in overdrive as to why you were taken off a flight etc.

Some research is coming out about the benefits of rhythmic non competitive exercise in the easing of depressive symptoms. By rhythmic I am talking about walking, running, swimming, cycling etc.
Has this been suggested to you?
Good luck.

Yes I do the works.

currently medicated psycologist etc but they largely “assist” with the symptoms. Exercise healthy eating all helps.

id like to try something that allows me to eventually come off medications.

my understanding is legitimate prescribed cannabis oil would not provide any high.

For the record, I wouldn’t be interested in anything that supplies any sought of “high” effect.

[redsnail]

Agreed, CBD should not produce a high but it will trigger a non negative result in a random D&A test. You really want to avoid that.
Good luck with the treatments, it's a long old road.

[Uplinker]

I am not a medical professional, but this is an honest opinion. I question whether sending more substances into your body after others is a good plan.

Depression and anxiety etc. are the symptoms of something, not the cause, and the chemical imbalance seen in the brain is also a symptom, not a cause. Trying to alter your brain's chemical balance by introducing other chemicals does not sound like a good idea to me.

Our brains and bodies evolved over millions of years, without any scientific or medical intervention. The human brain is the most complex thing in the universe and it is unlikely that scientists could add one chemical to magically "cure" it. And there are hundreds of chemicals in our bodies naturally, so it is not possible to know how another chemical might interact with all of them or what all the effects on your brain cells might be. We still don't know completely how the brain works but we do know that it works amazingly by itself.

We are seeing a lot more anxiety reported, and I think one possible cause is the relentless bombardment by television, radio and on-line of adverts and constant attention-getting and noise. There are very few periods of silence or even quietness in our lives nowadays. My suggestion is this. You need quietness. Use the mute button to mute all the adverts and trailers on the television. Also, don't use social media, the instant type. That can poison our minds into inappropriate thoughts and doubts and is unhelpful.

Then I suggest going jogging. Just low key by yourself. Don't use an App, don't listen to music, just go jogging through the woods or across the fields by yourself. Don't go to a gym. Don't set a target, don't try to beat your time or speed, just jog along gently and explore the area. Go about 5 - 10km, or about an hour, and go a couple of times every week. (I get up, clean my teeth and go jogging). Don't eat before you go, don't eat any "energy bars" or shakes or anything like that. Look and listen to the sights and sounds around you.

Eat healthily. Fast food, snacks and ready meals have a lot of dangerous rubbish in them. Eat natural foods that you prepare and cook yourself from raw ingredients. Don't add salt and don't eat sugar.

You also need good sleep hygiene. Don't eat or drink late. Give up caffeine completely. Get off alcohol if you can. Don't use any smart devices within 2 hours of going to bed, and have a bath, (no music, no devices), before bed and read a book, (an actual paper book - not one on your iPad), before turning off the light.
Try to have 8-10 hours sleep. Don't have your phone in the bedroom, and don't look at your messages or anything before going to bed. Buy black-out blinds for your bedroom. Don't set an alarm unless you have to be up for work.
If you do wake-up early, go jogging. Even before the sun is up you can jog along the streets and pavements, assuming they are lit.

(all of the above is what I do).

Cut out as many medications as possible - all of them if you can.

Do this for a month and see how you feel and if you are sleeping better.

Good luck, and please let us know how you get on :ok:
.

[Asturias56]

I'd suggest Uplinker is correct - try and wind down the number and amount of medication you take in a steady manner.

And anyone on medicinal cannabis had better be very careful where they go and what jobs they do. It may be "legal" at home but it's a minefield elsewhere. I wouldn't want to try and explain the difference in Dubai for example.

In general too many doctors treat symptoms rather than causes - and there is a lot of evidence to show the more different medicines you take the more you are at danger of falls, balance issues etc etc

[ca9090]

i tried PMing you but it said you didn't have space :(

[Radgirl]

Cannabis consists of THC and CBD. CBD is legal and does not prevent a high. Natural cannabis is safe. Modified cannabis such as skunk has a higher THC to CBD ratio and this is unsafe and may trigger psychosis

CBD is often peddled by alternative therapy people but I am unaware of any medical benefits. THC is not something being used for depression and the papers I have seen are not supportive - if anyone has papers stating a benefit please post them. LSD was initially developed for psychiatric diseases and is making a comeback as is psylocybin or magic mushrooms. However initial interest and early papers are not the same as long term controlled studies so as of today we can only recommend you stick to the licensed drugs and specifically stay away from cannabis. Your other suggestions concerning subterfuge are criminal in nature and potentially put others at risk so please forget them.