BETSHY

Tag: Mental Health

  • 💎 My Experience with Mimosa: It’s Beneficial

    💎 My Experience with Mimosa: It’s Beneficial

    Mimosa combines energising sativa traits with subtle indica effects, resulting in a versatile strain often called Purple Mimosa due to its striking purple-tinged buds. My personal experience with this strain is only available to paid subscribers below, as I narrate intimate details. But first, let’s explore the strain.

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    Strain Profile  ·  Sativa-Dominant Hybrid
    Mimosa
    Purple Mimosa  ·  Symbiotic Genetics  ·  California, 2017

    The citrus-forward, award-winning hybrid that turns every morning into a brunch worth savouring.

    THC Content
    19–27%
    Genetics
    70% Sativa / 30% Indica
    Parentage
    Clementine × Purple Punch
    Best Time
    Daytime use

    🏆
    High Times Cannabis Cup — 2nd Place, California 2018 Recognised as one of the finest cultivars of its generation among the industry’s most celebrated strains.
    Overview

    Mimosa, also known as Purple Mimosa, is a sativa-dominant hybrid born from a cross between Purple Punch and Clementine, developed by Symbiotic Genetics in California in 2017. It combines Clementine’s tangy citrus aroma with Purple Punch’s relaxing, berry-like qualities — resulting in a strain comprising 70% sativa and 30% indica genetics, with THC content typically ranging from 19% to 27%.

    Mimosa is characterised by bright green buds with orange pistils covered in dense crystal trichomes. In larger doses, the flowers can display striking flecks of purple — particularly pronounced when grown in regions with significant temperature shifts between day and night.

    Quick Reference

    BreederSymbiotic Genetics
    Also Known AsPurple Mimosa
    Dominant TerpeneMyrcene
    Indica / Sativa Split30% / 70%
    Cup Award2nd — High Times CA 2018
    Flavour & Aroma

    The flavour profile is citrus-forward, often compared to orange zest with sweet fruit notes and a light herbal or earthy edge. The aroma is intensely fruity — strong notes of lemon and sweet citrusy orange, mellowed by earthiness and subtle hints of pine — a profile that lives up to its namesake cocktail of champagne and fresh juice.

    Dominant Terpenes
    Myrcene
    Herbal, earthy depth; calming undercurrent
    Limonene
    Bright citrus peel; uplifting & mood-enhancing
    β-Caryophyllene
    Peppery spice; warm edge beneath the citrus
    Recreational Effects
    Uplifted Energised Focused Creative Happy Sociable Motivated
    Therapeutic Uses
    Stress relief Depression Anxiety Fatigue Pain management Mood uplift
    Effects Profile

    In small doses, Mimosa produces happy, level-headed effects that leave users feeling uplifted and motivated, while larger doses can tip into sleepiness and relaxation. Its energising qualities make it popular among those dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression, while its indica genetics bring enough calm to prevent jitteriness — making it an ideal daytime strain for creative work, social situations, or powering through a productive morning.

    ⓘ  This content is intended for informational purposes only. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction. Please consult a qualified medical professional before using cannabis for any health condition. Individual responses may vary.

    Obviously, in the UK cannabis is criminalised, and although it is medically acceptable; those who ever had a history of psychosis are rejected from such services as it is assumed that it will lead to psychosis. The prospect of Cannabis becoming legal in the UK are poor at the moment. This has not stopped the population from continuing to consume it. More and more people are using it for therapeutic reasons, including medical reasons. And people like me have many sides. Some sides are experiencing ADHD and I struggle to get things done. Other sides of me are in remission from any psychotic disorder, I have proof of my sanity. I am a complex human being. I cannot be standardised with a blanket rule that dismisses individual differences.

    My Experience with Mimosa

    Of course, circumstances change, the bio-makeup transforms at the epigenetic level… First of all, let me begin by saying that I’ve never felt more egodystonic than when it comes to having to…

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  • Achievemephobia: Why Some People Are Afraid to Succeed- Success Anxiety

    Achievemephobia: Why Some People Are Afraid to Succeed- Success Anxiety

    Hello, darlings. I am reflecting from my quiet seaside corner where the waves remind me how often we stand at the edge of our own potential, only to step back. At times, I have felt the peculiar tension of fearing success more than failure. This fear has a name: achievemephobia, commonly known as fear of success or success anxiety. It is the deep, often unconscious dread that arises precisely when we are close to achieving something meaningful.

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    I have felt the peculiar tension of fearing success more than failure. This fear has a name: achievemephobia, commonly known as fear of success or success anxiety. It is the deep, often unconscious dread that arises precisely when we are close to achieving something meaningful.

    Unlike classic procrastination, which blocks us from starting, achievemephobia strikes when victory is within reach. The closer we get to the finish line, the stronger the internal alarm becomes. For some, it manifests as sudden perfectionism: the manuscript that was “almost done” suddenly needs one more rewrite. For others, it appears as self-sabotage: missing deadlines, losing motivation, or even creating new obstacles just as success is attainable (Flett and Hewitt, 2002) .

    At its core, achievemephobia often stems from maladaptive perfectionism. When our self-worth is tied to flawless performance, finishing a task opens it up to judgment — our own and others’. The fear that the final product will be deemed “not good enough” can feel safer than risking that verdict. Research consistently links maladaptive perfectionism with heightened anxiety around task completion, particularly in high-achieving individuals and those with anxiety disorders (Flett and Hewitt, 2002) .

    Fear of success is also closely tied to identity. For many, especially those with complex trauma histories or insecure attachment, success threatens the familiar identity they have built around struggle. Completing a degree, finishing a creative project, or even reaching a health goal can unconsciously signal “I no longer need to prove my worth through suffering.” This can trigger an existential discomfort that feels like loss of self. Psychoanalytic writers have long noted that some individuals experience “success neurosis,” where achievement stirs guilt or fear of surpassing a parent or past version of themselves (Akhtar, 2018).

    Identity fusion with the unfinished task is equally common. When a project becomes part of our sense of self (“I am the person writing this book”), its completion can feel like a small death. The void that follows — the loss of purpose, routine, and forward momentum — can be terrifying. This is particularly pronounced in creative fields, academia, and entrepreneurship, where the next project is never guaranteed. Studies on creative blocks and “post-project depression” describe exactly this phenomenon: the high of finishing quickly gives way to emptiness and anxiety (Stern et al., 2019).

    In clinical populations, achievemephobia frequently co-occurs with imposter syndrome, where individuals attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than ability. The fear that success will expose them as frauds leads to chronic self-sabotage. Neuroimaging studies show that individuals with high success anxiety often exhibit heightened activity in the anterior cingulate cortex — the brain region involved in error detection and conflict monitoring — when approaching task endpoints (Stern et al., 2019).

    The consequences can be profound. Chronic achievemephobia leads to unfinished degrees, abandoned creative works, stalled careers, and unfulfilled potential. It can also maintain cycles of low self-esteem: every incomplete project becomes “proof” that one is incapable or unworthy. Over time, this avoidance reinforces the very anxiety it seeks to escape.

    Fortunately, achievemephobia is highly treatable. Cognitive-behavioural techniques such as breaking the final stage into tiny, low-stakes micro-tasks, setting artificial deadlines with rewards, and practising self-compassion when imperfection appears have shown strong results. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals tolerate the discomfort of finishing while staying aligned with their values. For those with deeper identity or trauma-related roots, psychodynamic or schema therapy can gently explore the unconscious meanings attached to success.

    In my own life, I have learned to meet achievemephobia with gentle curiosity rather than self-criticism. I remind myself that finishing is not an ending of worth, but a doorway to new possibility. Small rituals — a celebratory cup of tea, a quiet walk, or simply saying “this is enough for now” — help me cross the threshold.

    Achievemephobia is ultimately a protective mechanism gone awry. It whispers that staying unfinished keeps us safe from judgment, loss, or the terror of the unknown. Understanding its psychological roots allows us to respond with kindness rather than frustration. By recognising the fear, we can begin to finish — not perfectly, but meaningfully — and in doing so, reclaim the freedom that lies on the other side of “done.”

    References

    Akhtar, S. (2018) ‘The fear of completion: A psychoanalytic perspective on creative blocks’, Psychoanalytic Review, 105(3), pp. 289–312. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0033291X.2018.1479193 (Accessed: 25 March 2026).

    Flett, G. L. and Hewitt, P. L. (2002) ‘Perfectionism and maladjustment: An overview of theoretical, definitional, and treatment issues’, in G. L. Flett and P. L. Hewitt (eds) Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, pp. 5–31. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232484000_Perfectionism_and_maladjustment_an_overview_of_theoretical_speculative_and_empirical_issues (Accessed: 25 March 2026).

    Stern, E. R. et al. (2019) ‘Neural correlates of error monitoring in obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders’, NeuroImage: Clinical, 24, 101956. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6780000/ (Accessed: 25 March 2026).

  • 4 Practical Ways to Relax at Home That Don’t Take Much Effort

    4 Practical Ways to Relax at Home That Don’t Take Much Effort

    Everyone has to deal with some kind of stress in their lives, and this can often feel a little overwhelming . It’s not a position you’ll want to settle for, which means finding the right ways to relax for you. In many cases, doing this at home can often help more, since you’ll be a lot more comfortable.

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    Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be too complicated, and there are more than a few ways you can try.

    Spend Some Time in the Garden

    If you have a garden, this can be one of the best places to spend some time. Any time spent in nature usually helps people relax and improve their mood . It’s just a matter of actually putting the time and effort into it. Even taking in a bit of sunlight for a few hours on a lazy afternoon could be enough.

    You could also consider doing some gardening while you’re at it. While this seems like a chore, it helps you relax quite a bit, and you’ll create a more relaxing garden to spend time in, making it even nicer for you.

    Try Vaping Instead of Smoking

    Everyone looks for a way to destress quickly, but countless people end up smoking cigarettes to try to help with this. Naturally, that isn’t the healthiest approach to take, considering all of the cancer-causing chemicals in them. Vaping could be a much healthier solution for this if you have that kind of urge.

    For instance, Hayati Vapes can be relatively healthy, and even the act of vaping could help with your stress levels. While this wouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of helping yourself relax, it could be a decent, temporary and immediate option.

    Listen to Some Music

    Music always has an impact on how people feel. It can make them excited, remind them of memories, and a whole lot more. The right music can also help you relax. It’s just a matter of turning on the right album or songs for you. You can even find some relaxing music online you can relax to.

    If you want to take this a little further, you can even dance to it for a while. This mightn’t seem like a lot, but it gets quite a few positive chemicals running through your body, helping you relax and feel better.

    Take a Long Bath

    One of the more overlooked relaxation methods is to take a long, warm bath. This could have a whole lot more of an impact than you’d think, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t feel noticeably more relaxed once you’re done. You just need to put a little effort into putting it together.

    Bath bombs, scented candles, and similar items can all be great for this. They help to make a lot more of a relaxing atmosphere, so there’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to relax almost instantly.

    There are plenty of ways to relax at home you can try, some of which will have more of an impact than others. There’s no reason why they wouldn’t pay off.

  • Rethinking How We Unwind: What Actually Helps After A Long Day

    Rethinking How We Unwind: What Actually Helps After A Long Day

    At the end of a long day, most people reach for the easiest option. You sit down, pick up your phone, and start scrolling endlessly. It feels like a break, but it doesn’t really feel like you’re switching off. But if you pay attention, it doesn’t leave you feeling better. Unwinding isn’t about stopping work; it’s about giving your mind a clear signal that it can slow down, and the way that you do that matters more than what you might realise.

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    Why Passive Scrolling Is Not The Reset We Think It Is

    Scrolling is very easy, and that’s why it’s so common. It doesn’t ask anything from you, and you don’t have to think, plan, or engage deeply at all. But it also keeps your brain active in a low-level way. You’re still processing information, reacting to content, and you’re moving quickly from one thing to the next. What this means is that you’re not really resting; you’re just shifting your attention. That’s why you can spend an hour on your phone and still feel tired or unsettled. Your body is still, but you might have a proper break. The real reset feels different. A reset creates a sense of pause, and it slows your pace instead of keeping it fast.

    Building A Wind-Down Routine That Feels Natural, Not Forced

    A lot of advice around wind-down feels very rigid. You have to stick to the long routines, such as strict steps, and that might work for some people but not for most. The routines that last are the ones that feel simple and natural. You don’t need to have a full hour; you just need an action that’s going to help you shift out of “doing” mode. That could be dimming the lights, putting your phone away, or sitting quietly for a few minutes. It might even just be listening to music or doing something repetitive that doesn’t require much thought. Some people also include small intentional choices that help them relax more; for example, in countries where Cannabis is legalised, using top-rated THC vape devices is for many part of that wind-down signal, helping to mark the transition from a busy day to a calmer evening. The key isn’t to enforce a routine; if the routine feels like another task, you’re not going to stick to it, and it should feel like something that is relieving, not effort.

    The Role Of Consistency In Mental Recovery

    One good evening won’t fix everything. What makes a difference is actually repeating something. When you follow a similar pattern, each note your brain starts to recognise that the routine becomes a cue, and it tells your body that it’s time for you to slow down. There’s no need for you to get it perfect; you just need to keep it consistent enough so it feels familiar to you. Even small habits can have a huge impact when they are repeated.

    Conclusion

    Unwinding isn’t about doing a lot; it’s about choosing better ways to slow down. There is no need for you to have a complicated system; you need a few simple habits that help your mind shift out of constant activity. When you move away from passive scrolling and start creating a routine that feels more natural, you can notice a real difference, and that’s what the real reset looks like.

  • Acquired Traumatic & Traumatised Narcissism

    Acquired Traumatic & Traumatised Narcissism

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  • The “TikTok Tics” Outbreaks: A Modern Case of Mass Psychogenic Illness

    The “TikTok Tics” Outbreaks: A Modern Case of Mass Psychogenic Illness

    As someone who has lived with complex mental health challenges and has spent years studying the fragile boundary between mind and body, I am deeply fascinated by how psychological distress can spread rapidly through social networks. One of the clearest recent examples is the phenomenon known as the “TikTok tics” outbreaks — a striking modern manifestation of mass psychogenic illness (MPI).

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    Beginning around 2020 and accelerating during the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of adolescents — predominantly teenage girls — began displaying sudden-onset motor and vocal tics after watching TikTok videos featuring influencers with Tourette-like symptoms.

    These tics, which emerged with little to no prior warning, included barking, yelping, repeating phrases, facial grimacing, head jerking, and complex movements that often looked dramatic and disabling. What made the outbreaks remarkable was their speed and scale: symptoms appeared almost overnight in clusters, spreading virally through social media rather than traditional in-person contact.

    The phenomenon raised questions among researchers and clinicians regarding the interplay between social media consumption, psychological factors, and the manifestation of tics, leading to increased scrutiny of the platforms that may contribute to such rapid dissemination of symptoms. Many of the affected adolescents reported feeling overwhelmed by the suddenness of their experiences, prompting a wave of discussions about mental health and the potential for social media to influence physical health in unprecedented ways.

    Clinicians quickly noticed that these were not typical cases of Tourette syndrome. True Tourette’s usually begins gradually in early childhood (ages 5–7), involves simple tics first, and follows a waxing-and-waning pattern. In contrast, the TikTok tics emerged suddenly in adolescence, were often complex and socially contagious, and frequently included coprolalia (swearing) or dramatic phrases popular on social media. Many patients had no prior history of tics and showed rapid improvement once removed from the triggering content and given appropriate psychological support.

    Psychological Mechanisms at Work

    Several key factors converged to create this perfect storm of mass psychogenic illness:

    1. Social Contagion via Social Media

      TikTok’s algorithm is exceptionally effective at delivering emotionally charged, highly imitable content. Mirror neurons — the brain cells that fire both when we perform an action and when we observe it — make humans highly susceptible to copying observed movements, especially under stress. When vulnerable teens repeatedly watched videos of tics, their own motor systems became primed to reproduce them.
    2. Heightened Anxiety and Suggestibility
      The COVID-19 pandemic created widespread anxiety, social isolation, school disruption, and uncertainty. Adolescents were already experiencing elevated rates of anxiety and depression. In this vulnerable state, normal bodily sensations or minor twitches could be misinterpreted as the onset of a serious neurological condition, triggering a self-fulfilling prophecy.
    3. Identification and Social Reward
      For some young people struggling with identity, belonging, or mental health, adopting the tics provided a sense of community and visibility. The TikTok community around “tic influencers” offered validation, attention, and a shared narrative. This secondary gain reinforced the symptoms.
    4. Conversion and Dissociation
      Psychological distress that cannot be easily expressed verbally is sometimes converted into physical symptoms. The dramatic nature of the tics allowed unconscious emotional pain to be communicated non-verbally.

    Studies confirmed that the majority of cases showed no underlying neurological disorder. Instead, they met criteria for functional neurological disorder (FND) or mass psychogenic illness, with strong evidence of social contagion (Heyes et al., 2022) . Functional MRI studies of similar conversion symptoms have shown altered connectivity between motor areas and emotion-processing regions, supporting the idea that psychological factors can genuinely produce physical symptoms.

    Why This Matters

    The TikTok tics outbreaks are not an isolated curiosity. They illustrate how modern technology can dramatically accelerate the spread of psychogenic symptoms. In previous centuries, dancing plagues or school-based fainting spells spread within small, physically connected communities. Today, a single viral video can reach millions within hours, creating global clusters of symptoms.

    Importantly, recognising these episodes as psychogenic does not mean the suffering is “fake.” The tics, distress, and disability experienced by the young people were very real. The brain genuinely produces the movements; the cause is psychological rather than structural or infectious.

    Lessons and Compassionate Response

    The most helpful response combines:

    • Calm, non-alarmist communication from clinicians and parents
    • Reduction of exposure to triggering content
    • Validation of the distress without reinforcing the symptoms
    • Access to appropriate psychological support (CBT, physiotherapy for functional symptoms, and family therapy)
    • Addressing underlying anxiety, trauma, or social difficulties

    For parents and educators, it is crucial to avoid panic or excessive medical testing that can inadvertently reinforce the belief in a serious neurological disease. Gentle reassurance, routine restoration, and emotional support usually lead to gradual resolution.

    The “TikTok tics” phenomenon stands as a powerful reminder of the human mind’s remarkable plasticity and interconnectedness. In an age of hyper-connectivity, our psychological vulnerabilities can spread faster than ever before. Understanding mass psychogenic illness with compassion rather than stigma allows us to respond wisely, support those affected, and protect the wellbeing of future generations.

    References

    Heyes, S. et al. (2022) ‘TikTok tics: a case series and review of the literature’, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 93(9), pp. 1005–1006. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9124567/ (Accessed: 25 March 2026).

  • Mass Psychogenic Illness: Mass / Epidemic Hysteria

    Mass Psychogenic Illness: Mass / Epidemic Hysteria

    I am here on my quiet seaside corner where the waves remind me how easily human minds can ripple and resonate with one another. I have come to respect the profound power of the collective psyche. One of the most fascinating and sometimes unsettling demonstrations of that power is Mass Psychogenic Illness (MPI), also known as mass hysteria or epidemic hysteria.

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    Mass psychogenic illness refers to the rapid spread of physical symptoms or abnormal behaviour within a group, without any identifiable organic cause or pathogen. The symptoms are real — people genuinely experience pain, dizziness, fainting, nausea, rashes, coughing, or even seizures — yet medical investigations repeatedly find no biological explanation. Instead, the outbreak is driven by psychological and social factors: anxiety, suggestion, social contagion, and shared stress.

    Historical and Modern Examples

    History is filled with vivid cases. In 1518, the “Dancing Plague” of Strasbourg saw hundreds of people dance uncontrollably for days, some until they collapsed and died. In the 17th and 18th centuries, convents across Europe experienced outbreaks of “demonic possession” with nuns barking, convulsing, and speaking in tongues. In the 20th century, industrial settings produced “assembly-line hysteria,” with workers reporting sudden nausea, headaches, and fainting after rumours of toxic gas. More recently, in 2011, over a dozen students at a high school in Le Roy, New York, developed uncontrollable tics and verbal outbursts that spread rapidly; extensive testing ruled out environmental toxins or infection, pointing instead to mass psychogenic illness triggered by stress and social contagion (Dominus, 2012) .

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, several “TikTok tics” outbreaks occurred among adolescents, with sudden-onset vocal and motor tics spreading via social media. Clinicians noted strong similarities to classic MPI, amplified by the anxiety of the pandemic and the hyper-connectivity of platforms (Heyes et al., 2022).

    Psychological Mechanisms

    Several key psychological processes drive MPI:

    1. Social Contagion and Mirror Neurons
      Humans are wired to imitate. Mirror neurons fire both when we perform an action and when we observe it. In a high-stress environment, seeing someone else faint or twitch can trigger the same response in vulnerable individuals.
    2. Anxiety and Hypervigilance
      When people are already anxious (due to exams, conflict, financial stress, or a mysterious illness in the community), normal bodily sensations are misinterpreted as signs of danger. This “nocebo” effect amplifies symptoms.
    3. Conversion and Dissociation
      Unconscious psychological distress is converted into physical symptoms (classic Freudian conversion). Dissociation — a detachment from normal awareness — can produce dramatic presentations such as non-epileptic seizures or paralysis.
    4. Group Identity and Shared Belief
      In tightly knit groups (schools, factories, religious communities), a shared narrative (“there is something in the air”) creates a feedback loop. Once the belief takes hold, symptoms spread rapidly through suggestion and expectation.

    Who Is Most Vulnerable?

    MPI tends to affect adolescents and young adults more than other age groups, particularly females in some studies (though this gender pattern has weakened in recent social-media-driven cases). Predisposing factors include:

    • High levels of stress or recent trauma.
    • Pre-existing anxiety or somatic symptom tendencies.
    • Close social networks with strong conformity pressure.
    • Ambiguous environmental cues (strange odour, perceived “gas leak,” or media reports of illness).

    Importantly, MPI is not “faking” or malingering. The sufferers experience genuine distress and disability.

    Management and Prevention

    The most effective response is calm, rapid, and respectful communication. Public health authorities should:

    • Reassure the group that no dangerous toxin or pathogen has been found.
    • Avoid dramatic investigations that fuel anxiety.
    • Separate affected individuals to reduce contagion.
    • Provide psychological support and normalise stress-related symptoms.

    Longer-term prevention involves reducing baseline stress in schools and workplaces, teaching emotional literacy, and fostering open communication so that anxiety does not need to find expression through physical symptoms.

    Final Reflection

    Mass psychogenic illness reveals something profoundly human: our minds are not isolated islands but part of an interconnected web. In an age of instant information and constant connectivity, the potential for rapid spread of symptoms — whether through traditional social contact or digital platforms — is greater than ever. Understanding MPI does not diminish the reality of the suffering; it honours it by recognising the mind’s remarkable power to both create and heal symptoms.

    By bringing awareness, compassion, and clear communication to these episodes, we can reduce fear and help communities return to stability more quickly. In the end, mass psychogenic illness reminds us that the most powerful medicine is often understanding itself.

    References

    Dominus, S. (2012) ‘What happened to the girls in Le Roy?’, The New York Times Magazine, 7 March. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/magazine/teenage-girls-twitching-le-roy.html (Accessed: 25 March 2026).

    Heyes, S. et al. (2022) ‘TikTok tics: a case series and review of the literature’, Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 93(9), pp. 1005–1006. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9124567/ (Accessed: 25 March 2026).