I haven’t taken medicine in 8 years. Generally, I avoid medication. While convenient and effective, I find they often come with complications. And many only mask symptoms.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I have a medical issue, I like to take the gentler, slower route. Usually, I try to figure out the root cause. I’ll treat the issue with nutrition, sleep, and time. This works well for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, I nearly waited out a wisdom tooth infection. It almost healed, without antibiotics or medication. But, I had to get the tooth removed. Unfortunately, surgery exposes the infection to blood, increasing the risk of complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So my doctor put me on antibiotics. This was the first time I took western medicine in 8 years. Not even a Tylenol or anti-histamine entered my body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wondered, How would the antibiotic affect my perfect gut microbiome?<\/em> It took a long time to build up! Over the years, I’ve kept a strict keto-paleo-organic diet. I avoid herbicides and pesticides that kill gut bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since gut bacteria plays a role in neurotransmitter production, maintaining good gut health is my priority. A functioning brain helps me both as a lucid dreamer and as a person frequently uses my brain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, I knew the infection could worsen when exposed to the incisions. To avoid major problems, I reluctantly took the antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To reduce help keep my gut healthy, I picked up a fermented foods for during the antibiotic round, as well as a 5-day probiotic for after the antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I finished the antibiotics and probiotics with little issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I learned that while I don\u2019t need to rely on medical intervention, they’re a tool I can use occasionally. My default is: using nutrition and sleep, and waiting for issues to heal on their own. Then when I really need to, I can use the harsher medicines.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don’t need to dwell on the terrible things the medicine will do to my body. Sometimes you got to use a more destructive tool. As long as I use it wisely, it’s ok.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This challenge taught me about balance. Avoiding harsh medication keeps my body functioning well. Then, when I need to take medicine, my body handles the side effects better. My doctor said most people experience side effects from the antibiotics, but I experienced very little issues. Could be a coincidence. But, I think not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also learned that my difficult health choices are personal. I shouldn’t expect anyone to follow the same health principles as me. Some people may want to use lots of western medicine, some people may never use any. I wouldn’t want anyone judging me for my personal choice, so I can’t judge others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I haven’t taken medicine in 8 years. Generally, I avoid medication. While convenient and effective, I find they often come…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat I Learned<\/h2>\n\n\n\n