Category: Stories

This blog was written and submitted by our friends at Stratos. 

 

Are you exhausted in the morning?

 

According to WebMD, sleep deprivation can have serious effects on the body. Memory recall is degraded, the ability to learn and make sound judgments is impaired, the heart may beat faster than normal, your mood can take a big dive, and overall, you can feel off.

 

The body needs sleep to rest, rejuvenate and heal. The National Institute of Health suggests that most average adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.

 

Stratos, one of a handful of brands to receive the Realm of Caring Seal of Approval, has had countless customers reach out to share their experiences in achieving more restful, deep sleep by incorporating cannabis and CBD into their regimen:

 

After trying sleeping tea and melatonin I’ve only been able to get about 3 hours of sleep per night. Thanks to your medical formula Sleep Tablets, I’m able to get 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Thank You!

-Walter

 

As a disabled veteran, I have pain and behavior issues that I can treat during the day. At night, Stratos helps sleep issues and helps me stay asleep longer and in a deeper sleep, thus helping me feel more rested. 

-Chris

 

At 42, I started struggling with sleep issues. The pharma drugs made my bladder inflamed, so I’d fall asleep but then awaken 6 – 8 times a night straining to urinate. After 13 years of this, I was told by a close relative to try cannabis. I hemmed and hawed but they finally they talked me into it. 1 or 2 puffs of a heavy Indica and I fell asleep.  It tended to work for about 5 hours but it changed my thinking. A few months later I was given a bottle of Sleep Tablets to try.  I took 1/2 of a 10mg tablet. That night, I slept for 9 hours without waking up to pee. That was 4 years ago. I only use these products 5-6 nights a week. It has changed my life.  

-Joe

 

The Renew 2:1 Tincture has become my current medication for all of my pain and sleeping issues. I struggle with unbearable muscle aches and spasms from a pinched nerve and past trauma. It was impossible to sleep due to this pain. Now that I use the Renew every night I am finally able to sleep through the entire night without waking due to pain. The Renew tincture has helped me manage my sleep and pain in ways I thought would be impossible. I can’t thank you enough for creating such a life changing product.

-Kaitlyn 

 

Great, thank you! The Sleep 1:1 Tincture didn’t put me to sleep right away (I have insomnia, so that’s why I’m interested in this type of product), but once I fell asleep, I slept so deeply throughout the entire night. I usually wake up a ton throughout the night so this was very helpful! 

-Paul

 

I really like your Sleep 1:1 Tincture as far as it helps me fall asleep and stay asleep. If I get up in the middle of the night, it allows me to go right back to sleep. Right after I take it, give me between 15-30 minutes. I don’t go to sleep without it. 

-Debbie 

 

In accordance with Federal law, Stratos does not make medical recommendations or claims around cannabis or hemp use. To receive guidance on dosing, usage or benefits, we encourage you to register as a client and/or reach out to Realm of Caring by calling (719) 347-5400 or visiting www.realmofcaring.org. 

 

This content is from our friends at Stratos.

According to the CDC, approximately 54 million people in the U.S. have arthritis. The National Institute on Aging states that 5.7 million people in the U.S. live with dementia. And the CDC also calculates that 795,000 people per year experience a stroke.

These are all major medical issues, and while the importance of traditional medicine cannot be understated, there are also alternative ways to manage the ailments associated with each illness while supporting the traditional approach. Two women share details of how CBD (and even a little THC) has helped with tremors, pain, memory, and more.

Linda: 
Stratos has helped me with tremors from my hemorrhagic stroke and pain from osteoarthritis. I had a massive hemorrhagic stroke in August of 2016, then tried the Stratos CBD 12 mg in December of 2016 on the recommendation of my granddaughter who is a nurse. 

The relief from my tremors was almost instant and has helped me walk and do intensive PT without fear of falling from the tremors on my left side. As a side benefit, it has helped my pain from arthritis in my hands, which further helps me enjoy doing things like playing cards, and helps me continue to be independent by doing my own hair and putting makeup on. 

I do take the Stratos CBD 25 mg pills now as I was having to take two doses of the 12 mg when I was doing PT or going out with friends or family. I just had my 78th birthday and am enjoying life in spite of my limitations.

Kathy:
Four years ago, my mother was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. As is common with the disease, she has progressively gotten worse. On May 10th, 2019 after numerous falls, we took her to the doctor (P.A.). At this appointment, we had to use a wheelchair to get her into the examining room and cognitively she was slow and her speech was so bad she was pretty much incoherent. The P.A. informed me and my father that we were getting close to having to make a tough decision. 

In desperation, on May 15, when I was called out yet again because she had fallen, I started my mother on Stratos 15:1, which includes 5mg CBD and 0.33mg THC per tablet. On the afternoon (lunchtime) of May 15th my mother took her first pill of Stratos 15:1 and has since been taking one pill per day with lunch.

I will be honest with you that I really did not have any expectations that cannabis would help my mother. My goal was to make her more comfortable and hopefully, less depressed and angry. 

What has happened is a miracle and one that I want to share. Stratos not only helped to stabilize my mother, but it seems to be reversing the damage to her brain caused by dementia. I am keeping a detailed journal of her progress:

May 15 – Approximately two hours after the first dose, she is calm and seems happier. Sitting in the sunroom with my father. 

May 16 – Speech is more confident and loud. She corrected her own word-finding errors.  

May 17 – Talking is more clear and confident. No apparent word-finding issues. 

May 18 – Another good day, very clear speech, no lucid dreams or hallucinations upon waking. Again self-corrected her word-finding errors. 

May 19 – She informs me that something has changed, but she is not sure what. She says about two days ago she felt like she woke up and that she was an adult. She says she feels like herself again. No more shaking of her hands. Clear eyes, sitting upright, self-aware.

These are but a few examples of how she is doing. We are so amazed at her improvement it is scary. She has started recalling stories that she had forgotten and can now do activities such as embroidery that she could no longer do because she could not remember how to do it. She even looks younger and no longer has a vacant look in her eyes. 
I, myself, take Stratos 15:1 as prevention for dementia.

This story was submitted from our friends at Stratos

 

My name is Marc Romera and I’m excited to share my testimony with hopes that it touches someone’s life and alters the direction of their future. My story includes prior drug use, the benefits of Stratos and the obstacles I faced along the way.

 

I was born in Tampa, Florida and was raised in Land O’Lakes like any other kid my age. I played sports, learned how to play instruments, and dealt with the constant pressure of always trying to “fit in” or be accepted. Around middle school I noticed I was different; rather, that be my artistic abilities, athletic talents, and gifts as a musician. The more people who noticed these qualities about me, the more I challenged myself to be the best I could be. This included not just being on the soccer team, but being the captain. Drawing in my room for hours upon hours, just to give the drawing away to someone as a gift. Playing music in the youth band at church, just so my friends would admire me. It eventually became an expectation to wear a certain brand of clothing, talk a certain way, and walk a particular walk so my family would accept me and more people would like me.

 

With the constant expectations I made for myself, came an anxiety disorder I began to face. I started to have overwhelming thoughts about how I looked, if people liked me and if my family actually loved me. I felt pressure to always be winning and if I lost I would beat myself up over it until I was severely depressed. I would train harder than any other athlete, but soon found myself trying to show off or one up everyone around me, whether that be in the classroom, at school, or at that keg stand at the Saturday night homecoming party.

 

It was this mindset that led me to a group of friends where doing drugs became a social status. It gave me popularity and a way to keep going, when the “going gets rough”. No longer did I have to worry about having energy for my morning practices. When it was time to relax and repair my muscles, I had something that could fix that In seconds. When I felt sad or had anxiety, there was always something I could do because I found out how to acquire prescription pills for any situation I faced.

 

No longer did I stress or care about the bullies I encountered. By numbing out on Xanax throughout the day, I became unfazed by people’s comments which no longer mattered. If I took enough Aderall before games, I would remain focused and typically win; keeping my loved ones happy long enough to not notice my substance abuse. Then when I needed to crash, I would consume muscle relaxers so my body would slow down. I added in alcohol on the weekends, followed by smoking marijuana and using painkillers to take away any fatigue.

 

Several friends died around me due to accidental overdoses or driving while intoxicated. I found myself in a downward spiral and soon called my parents for help and wanted to get sober. At this point in my life, I was using a lot of street drugs on top of prescribed medications and still drinking whenever there was a party. While trying to face severe withdrawal it became clear I needed to make a dramatic change, not only in my personal habits, but my circumstances. 

 

I decided to move out of Florida to get my life together. So, I moved in with a friend in Fort Collins, Colorado where I learned about the benefits of Medical Marijuana. It was in a search for CBD and a product to help with the withdrawal symptoms I was having, that I stumbled across Stratos. Stratos was the ideal product for me because it was pill shaped, and easy to replace a standard prescription pill with. It gave my mind an opportunity to see a cannabis replacement for the narcotics I was consuming. Soon I was taking Stratos “Energy” pills for my morning runs instead of my Adderall, which gave me the motivation to get up every day without the crash afterward. I would go about my day taking a “CBD 1:1” Stratos pill, which helped with social anxiety and seizures during my work hours. My evenings were the hardest because I was prone to consuming pain-killers or muscle relaxers to get through the night without waking up. Due to years of sports and injuries, I had built up a pretty severe evening habit;  however, I was able to overcome those addictions by taking Stratos “Sleep” tablets mixed with their High CBD, low THC product (15:1) which helped with my overwhelming fatigue. The interesting thing I have come to learn about Cannabis is that it plugs into entirely different receptors than the narcotics I was consuming. My mind thought this was a healthier “replacement”. My body then began to reset with the new regimen. 

 

6 years later, I am sober of all prescription medications and narcotics alike. I remain a healthy individual now, eating the right foods, exercising and still taking Stratos tablets as needed. I am now a father of two children, currently enrolled in barber school, and actively involved in my church’s youth ministry. My relationship with God has become central to my life again. 

 

I share my story in marijuana events all over Colorado and consider myself a “Canna-Vangelist”. I remain hopeful that one day Doctors will feel the freedom to recommend the best things they can, given the circumstances, and that includes cannabis. I’ve heard a lot of stories about how marijuana saved the lives of people who have struggled with addictions.  I believe them, but my story is slightly different because Stratos, specifically, saved mine. 

 

Realm of Caring has awarded Stratos products with the Seal of Approval, a distinction given only to a small select group of product manufacturers.

 

 

Over the past month or so, we partnered with Charlotte’s Web over to give away free Charlotte’s Web™ products to the Realm of Caring community. 

The results have absolutely blown us away. Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Charlotte’s Web, we were able to give away $1 million worth of product to the members of our community who needed it most! Nothing makes us happier than being able to help others. We received wonderful feedback from members of the Realm of Caring community, who were all immensely grateful to Charlotte’s Web for their generous gift. 

“Thank you so very much for sharing this coupon code with us,” says RoC community member Kelly. “Our son experiences focal seizures that are as of yet uncontrolled.  He received a diagnosis of epilepsy at two years old, but we suspect he was having seizures from birth that were difficult to identify.  Numerous medicines have not stopped his seizures.  We have found that Charlotte’s Web CBD oil helps to reduce the frequency, duration, and magnitude of his seizures.  I’m sure we are not the only parents who feel conflicted about being thankful for this offer, while at the same time sharing in the grief over the loss of Charlotte Figi.  We are thankful for this gift.  Charlotte is remembered in our family, and I believe that her spirit lives on in, and watches over children like our son.”

“I just want to say thank you so much for sending me the CBD oil. It helps with my pain, inflammation and insomnia so much and I know that’s crucial for my healing . I am speechless. Your generosity is so very much appreciated! Paying out-of-pocket for my natural cancer cure has been a heavy burden on my husband and I. We spent over $6000 in the last six weeks. Dipping into our retirement funds at this stage in our life has been scary. Amazing to see how our life savings can dwindle so fast. But your act of kindness here brought me to tears as it is right now just writing this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do ️. I hope someday in the near future I can pay it forward.” – Carol

“My name is Kristie (though, I go by Kaalyn, if you’d rather use that — it’s how most people know me), and I’m a 32yo wheelchair user with a constellation of disabilities. One of those includes a mutation on the SCN9A gene, a sister gene to what caused Charlotte’s Dravet Syndrome. I have always felt so close to and protective of her, and it’s no surprise Charlotte’s Web was the only brand of CBD that could calm my myoclonic body and the progression of my seizures. I was hit very hard but Charlotte’s passing, but the added impact of the pandemic on my medical care, my overall health and my struggle in poverty couldn’t be understated. So, when I saw CW teaming up with RoC to gift CBD, I nearly cried at just the *possibility* of help. When I got the email saying an entire large bottle of their 50mg dose was granted to me, I legitimately cried. When it came to the door, I cried again — tears of relief, grieving and gratitude.”

“This has been an irreplaceable light in the midst of mourning and my declining health. I can’t say enough how indebted and grateful I am to you all. The loss of Charlotte has left a huge hole, but the countless lives she’s saved, and thus the sheer number of candles that get to be lit in her wake, is enough to make the entire globe glow. Thank you.” – Kaalyn

Dear ROC,

“I just wanted to express my appreciation for the coupon you sent me for free product from Charlotte’s Web.  We purchase the 100 ml. original formula for our son, monthly and I have lost my job due to the virus.  Thank you so much for the free product.  It is wonderful to know we won’t have to pay out of pocket for his CBD this month. Thank you.”  – Ruth

“As an avid trail runner with a constant search for routes with maximal elevation gain, I started to notice minor aches in my ankles and lower back. 6 weeks into implementing Charlotte’s Web into my daily routine and these aches have subsided due to the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. This was the reason I decided to give CBD a try and it has made a noticeable difference. My anxiety levels have also dropped a considerable amount. Although I have only been using Charlotte’s Web for 6 weeks, I see it remaining in my daily regimen for life. I saw the link for a free bottle of original from Realm of Caring and just received it. Thank you! Happy trails.” – Marcus

The generosity of our friends at Charlotte’s Web helped provide comfort and care to people across the nation, from all walks of life. From helping control seizures to relieving chronic joint pain to providing a natural alternative to other cancer treatments, we were overwhelmed by the outpouring of emotion and gratitude shared by members of our community. Everyone at Realm of Caring feels incredibly lucky to have played some part in getting these products to those who need them most.

We thank you all for your support, and look forward to a continued partnership with Charlotte’s Web. Together, we’re making a difference.

After serving in the military and sustaining a back injury and head trauma, I was prescribed several pharmaceutical drugs to treat multiple symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, and PTSD. Pharmaceutical options often left me groggy and became ineffective over time. After discovering Stratos THC and CBD products, I have been able to cease the use of pharmaceutical drugs and experience meaningful symptom relief and restful sleep. 

– Daniel Lloyd

When did you first try Stratos?

I first tried Stratos products in June 2019 at Apothecary Farms, my local dispensary.

What products do you use?

I use Stratos Sleep tablets 500 mg and Stratos Relax tablets 300 mg, both of which contain THC and CBD, and Stratos Soothe CBD Full Spectrum, a topical salve. 

What do you use Stratos for?

The Sleep tablets help with insomnia and sleep apnea symptoms, and induce quality sleep. The Relax tablets help with anxiety and depression and Soothe helps with localized pain and inflammation.

How have Stratos products helped you?

Sleep is elusive, sometimes for days at a time. After using Stratos regularly for the past 10 months, I have been able to start winding down and I am typically in bed before midnight and able to sleep through the night. Sometimes I have sleep interruptions, but it’s mainly due to a deviated septum which causes my sleep apnea. Most of the time I feel refreshed upon waking up, which is phenomenal since prescribed sleep medications usually left me feeling groggy in the morning and melatonin lost its effects after prolonged usage. I use Relax when I feel overwhelmed or anxious. My PTSD symptoms have improved significantly. Soothe topical absorbs well, works fast, and the formulation doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy. I use this product for pain and inflammation, specifically for neck pain and bulging discs in my lower back due to injuries from the military.

Why did you choose Stratos over the other options out there?

I chose Stratos because of quality, efficacy, affordability, and it offered an easy delivery method.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am very impressed by how fast the products work. Within 15-20 minutes effects can be felt and they last for hours. I am so thankful to have found Stratos. This product line has been life-changing for me and my family! Thank you!