PTSD

Don't give up, there is hope

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) affects up to 8 million Americans in any given year according to the National Center for PTSD. Nearly all PTSD sufferers have contemplated suicide and entirely too many do. Looking at the devastating numbers of veterans alone is enough to convince anyone that this is a serious and preventable problem. Veterans only make up 7 percent of the American population, but they account for 20 percent of it's suicides. Approximately 22 veterans a day (that is one every 65 minutes!) see no other way out from the debilitating and infinitely complex symptoms of PTSD than to take their own lives.
Unfortunately this is not a unilateral problem, anyone can develop PTSD symptoms after experiencing something that is traumatic to them. The most heartbreaking thing about this is that many people are never diagnosed because they are too afraid and ashamed to reach out for help. They feel like (and many times have been told) they have no right to these feelings because they have never been to war. This is a ridiculous misconception. I myself have dealt with symptoms of PTSD in the past due to enduring an abusive relationship. The stigma needs to be lifted from this disease. In the veteran & first responder community, you hear stories of men and women being told (or made to feel) by colleagues to "get over it like the rest of us", in the civilian community you hear stories of men and women being told (of made to feel) by others "you have never been to war or seen death, how do you have PTSD?"... It simply has to stop.
This disease does not care who you are, what your profession is, what your religion is, what your political affiliation is, etc. It's only job is to confuse, debilitate, and destroy and it does it very very well, the stigma just pours fuel on the fire.
If you have ever been through something traumatic to you ( 
note that I say to YOU, not something that others feel is traumatic ) and you are experiencing any of the below symptoms, I want you to do 2 things for me:


  1. please please please reach out to someone and talk about it... do not wait... do not try to deal with it on your own... do not be ashamed, you are not alone.
  2. Begin a CBD regimen. It may very well be that you will need other therapies that include short term medication, but CBD should be a 1st effort and not a last resort.


PTSD Symptoms
- recurring memories about the event or events
- nightmares

- recklessness
- flashbacks
- self destructive
- prolonged & intense distress
- avoidance
- trouble concentrating
- irritability
- sudden out of character behavior


If you are experiencing these symptoms, please please reach out for help.... You are not alone and there is absolutely zero shame in needing some support for a while. It will not last forever, this is not your new normal... there is absolutely hope and help out there for you. Please don't give up hope.

Thankfully there is hope and CBD (as well as cannabis) is coming out on top in study after study on PTSD. There are many many reasons for choosing this natural plant medicine, but quite possibly the biggest one is that it carries no adverse side effects. Reading the warnings on many of the medications used to treat PTSD is horrifying. The laundry list of adverse side effects is enough to say that they should not be the 1st line of defense, but the words "...which could be fatal" is enough to make a person want to cry. Adding CBD to your daily regimen could even decrease the tendency to develop debilitating PTSD symptoms and lessen the severity. Below are additional reference links to studies regarding CBD & PTSD


C annabidiol as a Therapeutic Alternative for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Cannabinoids and CBD Research Overview
Additional Studies on PTSD


If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255

Rustic Oils CBD Of Lee's Summit LLC Blog

By Rachel Crawford January 28, 2026
We’ve all had that moment.... . During a belly rub, you feel it—a new "lump or bump" that wasn't there last week. Your heart sinks, and suddenly, nothing else matters than the health of your fur baby This is where the ancient wisdom of mushrooms like Turkey Tail and Reishi steps in. Think of them as nature’s quiet protectors. I have given them to Abbey for a couple of years but I so wish I would have started from the beginning. Turkey Tail is the "Immune Architect." It’s packed with beta-glucans that help the body’s natural defenses recognize and respond to cellular changes. It’s like giving your dog’s immune system a pair of glasses so it can see exactly where it needs to go to work. Reishi is often called the "Mushroom of Immortality," but for our pups, it’s the "Mushroom of Zen." It supports longevity, helps manage the body’s response to occasional stress, and provides much-needed relief for those pesky seasonal allergies. When we combine these in our homemade treats or as a food topper, we aren't just feeding them; we’re fighting for more "zoomies," more tail wags, and more years of companionship. Why We Trust Verdant Leaf When it comes to our pets, "good enough" isn't an option. That’s why I’ve always been uncompromising about the brands I bring into the shop. Verdant Leaf is the gold standard for clean, reliable supplements for a few very specific reasons: Purity First: Their powders are free from the fillers, grains, and "fluff" that often plague commercial pet supplements. You are getting 100% functional mushroom power. Transparent Sourcing: They prioritize high-quality extraction methods, ensuring the beneficial compounds (like those vital beta-glucans) are actually bioavailable for your dog to absorb. Tested & Trusted: Every batch is held to rigorous standards, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is exactly what’s in the bowl. Using a clean brand like Verdant Leaf ensures that your "fur baby" is getting the support they deserve without any of the junk they don't. Here are links to Verdant Leaf Turkey Tail & Verdant Leaf Reishi Recipes you can make at home! I actually use these powders as a topper for Abbey's food or I make a mushroom broth for her to drink, but you can also create these yummy treats at home for pups that are a little pickier "Immune-Boost" No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls Best for: Quick prep and masking the earthy mushroom taste. Ingredients : 1 cup Oat flour (or blended rolled oats) 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter (ensure it is Xylitol-free) 1/4 cup Unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Verdant Leaf Powder: 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per 10 lbs of dog weight (totaled for the batch size) Instructions : Mix the mushroom powder into the peanut butter and applesauce until well-blended. Stir in the oat flour until a dough forms. Roll into bite-sized balls based on the dog's daily dosage needs. Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer. Sweet Potato & Reishi "Cookies" Best for: Dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies. Ingredients: 1 cup Mashed cooked sweet potato 1 1/2 cups Brown rice flour (or whole wheat flour if tolerated) 1 Egg Verdant Leaf Powder: Calculate total dosage for the number of cookies (e.g., if making 20 cookies and the dog needs 1/2 tsp daily {1/4 tsp each species, or 1/2 tsp of any single species}, add 10 tsp to the batch). Instructions : Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).Mix all ingredients into a dough. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 20–25 minutes until firm. Golden Mushroom Bone Broth (Liquid Topper) Best for: Older dogs who might enjoy a warm topper on their meals. Ingredients : 2 cups Low-sodium beef or chicken bone broth (onion/garlic-free) 1/2 tsp Turmeric (for extra anti-inflammatory benefits) Dash of black pepper (needed to activate anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric) 1 tsp coconut oil, beef tallow, or fish oil Verdant Leaf Powder: Whisk in 1/4 {1/8 tsp each species, or 1/4 tsp if you are using only one species} tsp per serving. Instructions : Warm the broth slightly (not boiling).Whisk in the mushroom powder and turmeric until dissolved. Pour over kibble or freeze in ice cube trays for "pupsicles." MUSHROOM DOSING GUIDELINE * Daily Maintenance Dosage (Give once daily for general health) Under 20 lbs: 1/4 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 3/4 teaspoon Over 90 lbs: 1 teaspoon Therapeutic/ Loading Dosage (Give for "lumps and bumps" or the first 2 weeks of use) Under 20 lbs: 1/2 teaspoon 20 to 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon 50 to 90 lbs: 1 & 1/2 teaspoons Over 90 lbs: 2 teaspoons *The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.
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