Cortlandt Manor, NY

Infected/symptomatic: 1998
Diagnosed: 2008
Current health: “I am overall healthy with muscle and joint pains multiple times a week and difficult flare ups and brain fog several times a month.”

You may have heard of all the hype in recent years about CBD and how it can help with a range of issues including epilepsy, anxiety, depression, PTSD and much more. But I am here to share my story about how CBD has helped me live in less pain from Lyme disease.

Since I was around 8 years old,  I suffered from muscle and joint pain/spasms, brain fog, and fatigue. I would wake up crying in the middle of the night and my mom or grandma would rub me down in menthol pain relieving cream. Why is an 8 year old experiencing these terrible pains? As I grew older I continued to experience these pains, but it wasn’t until I was 18 that I was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

After years and rounds of antibiotics including Doxycycline, Amoxicillin and more, I found no relief. The pharmaceuticals made my stomach flip. I couldn’t eat (and let me tell you – this girl can eat!). I was extremely sensitive to light; so much so that I couldn’t even drive at night because of the headlights from oncoming traffic. I was tired of feeling awful and the accompanying side effects of the pharmaceuticals making it much worse.

In 2016, I visited a friend in California and came across CBD which seemed to offer many benefits. Desperate at this point, I decided to try it! My first time trying CBD, I felt a sense of relief. My muscle and joint pain subsided. I wasn’t waking up in the middle of the night to slather cream on my muscles. It opened a whole new chapter in my life as I finally found a natural remedy to help me cope with the disease.

As I tried a variety of CBD products, I quickly learned that not all CBD is created equally. Some companies weren’t exactly selling what they were advertising. I needed a high-quality product, one I could trust and knew what was in it or, more importantly, what was not in it. As I learned more about CBD and its natural potential, my desire to create a company that could help people only grow stronger. Welcome the birth of Ergo Hemp Co.-  a company people could trust and where they could learn how CBD can improve your mind, body and soul. Here’s a few ways CBD can help:

Antimicrobial

Studies suggest CBD may be the next superbug fighter for antibiotic resistant infections. Borrelia burgdorfer and other bacteria that cause Lyme disease can be resistant to antibiotics that are prescribed. As an antimicrobial, studies show CBD can be highly effective at fighting the bacteria. Mark Blaskovich, PhD, senior research officer at the Centre for Superbug Solutions at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland in Australia stated that “CBD’s ability to kill bacteria” has a “very similar potency to that of common antibiotics.” Can CBD be the next superbug antibiotic? More research is needed but the results have been promising.

Strengthens the Immune System

Cannabinoids, like CBD, act as immune suppressors since they can reduce inflammation. For those suffering from autoimmune diseases like Lyme disease or diseases brought on by inflammation, cancer, or HIV/AIDs, cannabinoids may be able to help. CBD can help strengthen the immune system. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is extremely involved in maintaining the optimal functioning immune system. CBD interacts with the ECS by maintaining the proper balance required to keep the immune system’s functions optimal. Therefore, the stimulation of the ECS through cannabinoids like CBD helps in enhancing the health, balance, responsivity and functions of the immune’s system.

Anxiety & Depression

While it is widely known that marijuana can be used to reduce anxiety and depression, sometimes this can be disastrous. However, researchers agree that CBD alone is a powerful, natural anxiolytic (drug used to reduce anxiety). When used as needed, CBD appears safe, well-tolerated, and may be beneficial for those who experience anxiety-related disorders and/or depression.

Depression is a common medical issue that causes feelings of sadness. It can lead to emotional and physical problems resulting in the inability to function at work or at home. Unfortunately, there are approximately 3 million cases in the U.S. per year. Drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed to many who experience anxiety and depression.

CBD may boost signaling through serotonin receptors. What does this mean? SSRIs block reabsorption of serotonin in the brain. This helps the brain cells transmit more serotonin signals reducing anxiety and boosting your mood in some cases. In an animal study, researchers found that CBD may affect serotonin levels faster than SSRIs. Serotonin is known as the “feel good” chemical contributing to wellbeing and happiness. CBD may boost the availability of serotonin reducing our anxiety and depression.

CBD exerts an antibacterial effect, can reduce headache and nausea, strengthens the immune system, decreases pain caused by peripheral neuropathy, provides anticonvulsant properties and controls nerve episodes, anxiety and depression.These are many symptoms exhibited by those suffering from Lyme disease. It’s best to discuss a CBD regimen with your healthcare provider to determine the best method of treatment.

The cannabis plant has provided humans with fiber, food, medicine, and perhaps inebriation dating back thousands of years in many cultures. The earliest written accounts of cannabis used as medicine originated in ancient China. Why is this important to mention? The stigma surrounding the cannabis plant still exists today even though it has been used medicinally for all these years.

The cannabis plant species includes both the hemp and marijuana plant. Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is the active ingredient found at higher levels in the marijuana plant. THC can get you high. Cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is the active ingredient found at higher levels in the hemp plant. While both the marijuana and hemp plants have THC and CBD, the hemp plant has 0.3% THC or less – any higher, it would be considered marijuana. Even the trace amount of THC found in the hemp plant can be removed. This means that CBD cannot get you high.

As a small, women-owned business entering the cannabis industry, it has been a long and tough road. My goal is to educate people who have been struggling with their own battles to find a natural remedy that works for them.This journey has been a whirlwind of fun and, at times, frustrations but hearing about how others benefit from Ergo Hemp Co. products makes it all worth it!

Ergo Hemp Co. was founded to help others better their health and wellness. Whether you experience Lyme disease, anxiety or you are just looking to improve your health, we want to share our experience and knowledge about how CBD can help. We are here to stop the stigma associated with the cannabis plant and help people learn about its benefits.

4 Comments on “Meghan W.

  1. Hi, I just read your story.
    I’m from Cyprus, I was suffering from Lyme disease / Borellia – Flavivirus is like Lyme disease. I found out that in Cyprus there is a clinic called Y&C INSTITUTE OF MED. REHABILITATION LTD, which they do alternative therapies using intravenous ozone including vitamins minerals etc.
    Also when i visited the clinic, I also had ten pass/multi pass therapy which is for the blood cleansing from germs, toxins with the help of the ozone gas. It is 100% safe method and i suggest it to you, also the hydro colonic detox therapy which was one of the most powerful treatments I have ever made.
    If you need more information about that, as their prices are the lowest in EU contact them on info@ycmedinstitute.com. Brilliant people, and very good doctor Dr. Yuri Nikolenko.

  2. Can cbd trigger herxing then? I wish I had known it had anti-microbial properties yesterday before I took it for the first time because I would have started with the tiniest dose. I took some yesterday and within 4 hrs have a bad flare up which has continued into the next day, which is when I did some research and found this article. I’m thinking it may have killed off too many microbes too quickly as that had happened before with other herbs. I thought it was only an anti-Inflammatory and had no idea it could have antibiotic properties

    1. Had same experience , CBD was potent antilymee bacteria and put me in the ER 2x with full body muscle spasms due to severe herx reaction. But this is good news that it can kill borellia and other bacteria

  3. I loved that story. It gives me hope. So much false promise out there. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for the inspiration

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