Support Your Madness with Essential Oils
The mind fascinates me. While observing other people and being curious about ‘what makes them tick’ is something that intrigues me every day, getting to know my own mind and noticing the countless directions it can take, fills most of my waking hours. Not that it’s all I focus on; if I did, I wouldn’t get anything done! Actually, noticing such things helps me understand how someone else might think, feel or both.
Carl Jung once said, “madness comes in waves, and is most easily spotted in dreams. Do not rebuke them as lesser because they frightened you. Instead water them, give them life so they may grow. Madness without grounding is insanity, but madness with purpose is the cornerstone of genius.”
I’ve spent many years serving and supporting individuals and families living with schizophrenia, autism and addiction. What’s more, I’ve also been drawn to assisting those experiencing mood and emotional disorders. My wish is that everyone is comfortable in their own skin.
So, what is it that takes people over the edge? And, is it really their struggle OR is it that a bandwagon belief system struggles to normalize them?
Let’s go back to Jung. The path of madness is a fine line of a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can be a journey wrought with pain and suffering. On the other, it can be the best time of a person’s life. And at any given time, it can be a little of both. What determines the course of madness?
I recently did a video titled, A bit more on schizophrenia, addiction, dissociative disorder and histamine, in it I talk about that pivotal moment when a switch flips and a person seems to snap. It doesn’t have to be a catastrophic event; it could be something as simple as
a parent telling his or her teen that they are sick for questioning the existence of God
being repeatedly picked on by neighbor kids
being told you’re going to need a counselor because masturbation is the devil’s work
repeatedly being told you shouldn’t think or talk ‘like that’
All of these events have been reported to me by several of my clients. And sadly, they aren’t the only ones compromised by a single stressful moment. It happens more often than we care to believe. In fact, I suspect each of us ‘walks along the brink of snapping’.. It’s all in how we manage our madness. Are we willing to accept ours as that unique perspective or take on the viewpoint of someone else?.
Mental health disorders are not necessarily genetically inherited. In my humble opinion, they are cultivated.. Mmmm… I just said that …
Brain chemistry is impacted by thoughts, actions and the world around. Another point made in the video; systems change in order to protect the organism. This is known as the stress response. In other words, the survival mechanism. Besides the environmental factors that we’re becoming increasingly aware of, there are the mental and emotional impositions which are as destructive as any manmade chemical. When an individual is consistently pressed and challenged by the people around them, it’s within reason that he or she questions their own motives. However, unless caught, this fear that our ways and thoughts are less than, can turn problematic and lead to some type of mental health or mood disorder diagnosis. All because we struggle to remain strong in our own madness.
Pain has a purpose. It teaches us how to love ourselves. Happiness is truly a choice.
I often wonder, how many people have a way of thinking and / or doing something that they either never share or at least try to until met with criticism, cynicism and sarcasm? How many of us compare the path we tentatively take to that of another person ‘walking the line of normalcy’.? How many of us have a different idea on how to live life or for that matter, have different values and find meaning in things the ‘average joe’ does not? How many of us have been told, ‘You shouldn’t say such things.’
None of this is to suggest that one way is better than the other. Not at all. I’m simply pointing out that I believe EACH of us has our very own operating system and the more we listen to the opinions of the outside world OVER loving ourselves completely, as is … also known as radical acceptance, the greater our chances of emotional instability and finding ourselves facing some type of treatment. Why? Because our madness frightens others. We’re thinking and acting ‘outside the box’. At the same time, all we want is to fit in and be loved .. even if it means, dismissing the yearnings of our soul. So, we concede and live with the stress that comes with not honoring our true nature.
Today, we have blood tests for schizophrenia and autism, in search of biomarkers. Here’s the way I see it. These are unique operating systems that have evolved from a highly activated stress response (I don’t know of a better way to explain it at this moment). Yes, they share similar symptoms within the disorder as well as between them (in my mind, it’s all the same just varying degrees on a spectrum). Could there be genetic involvement and similarities? Of course! Our wiring regulates the chemistry. Keep in mind, stressors impact the development of the fetus as well as how that individual responds or reacts to the world once they arrive. There are many components to the development of mental health; however, the bottom line is although there may be genetic markers that can point to the potential, the real problems take shape when the person living with the diagnosis is told there is something wrong with them. What’s wrong? There is nothing wrong. Our culture has determined that unique operating systems are defective. Nothing could be further from the truth. The genetic system adapted according to the information coming in.. How is that wrong? It’s not; it’s simply different from the one giving the diagnosis. Then again, how could it be that different with more and more cases popping up?
How about Alzheimer’s? This is a degenerative disease. Let’s be clear about something. Dis-ease is a lack of ease. It’s already been established that most of us live in a state of unease. This level of stress stimulates the production of oxidative stress and inflammation. Compound that with environmental factors and the unique operating system riddled with the pain of being denied … of course it shuts down.
Here’s a little food for thought: the FOXP2 and BDNF genes are two transcription factors that regulate neurochemistry. FOXP2 is involved with speech and language and the BDNF provides neuroprotection. Speaking of which, vitamin D is also involved with neurodevelopment and neuroprotection of the dopaminergic pathway. Vitamin D is a hormone that the body can make and transport for systemic use when the body …. is not stressed. You see, cortisol slows down the transport of vitamin D into the vitamin D receptor during times of stress. Cortisol also inhibits BDNF activity. Keep in mind, the stress response is meant to be temporary; yet, aside from environmental interference, the perpetual self-doubt and denial is literally shutting the mind and body down.
We lose what we don’t use …
Am I blaming? No. I’m encouraging ownership and choice; however, accepting our madness is not going to fully remedy the mess we live with!
That said, I do NOT believe anyone … and I really mean ANYONE, can survive today’s world without some type of chemical support.
Yup, I just said that too!
Here’s the deal. The world is FULL of chemicals; man and nature made. Nature interacts and reacts to chemicals The human body is connected to nature; therefore, it is in constant communication with the world around. If we have inflammatory signals activating changes throughout the system, then it’s advantageous to counter those alterations with a few beneficial chemicals like essential oils. If the condition warrants medications, then be wise … follow your doctor’s orders. Once we develop a diagnosable health condition, then the body absolutely needs as much help as it can get. Take the meds. You can always work yourself off.
If you take medications, then we should talk:
medications and essential oils interact on the liver enzymes AND sulfation pathway (detox)
medications and essential oils can duplicate the mechanism of action, leading to some adverse reaction whether it produces discomfort, increases the effects of the medications OR remains silent until a later time also known as a long-term effect
besides the mental health concerns, there are other symptoms going on that need to be taken into consideration before selecting an essential oil or two
On the other hand, if you do not take medications, then I suggest the following essential oils for the purpose of stabilizing the body:
myrrh
palmarosa
laurel leaf
frankincense sacra
copaiba
holy basil
coriander
ginger root
helichrysum
There could be others and that depends on the ‘symptoms’ of your day to day life. Yes, oils help! They shield the DNA .. so to speak … sse them every day! Take baths with them, apply them directly to the skin and under the nose. If you’d like my safety and dilution chart, email me and I’ll send you the PDF.
Besides the cellular stress relief and running block for the DNA, essential oils also help to stabilize our moods and the way we think. They reduce oxidative stress, relieve inflammation, soften our thoughts, clear our heads, and help us see the exquisite nature of our madness.
*for 15 years, I have been pouring tremendous time, thought, love and energy into Synergessence which remains free and made possible by patronage. If you appreciate my labor of love. please consider supporting it with a donation as I experience my own unique journey.*