First and foremost, I commend you dear
@Steel Hyaena for speaking out about these sometimes not so easy to talk about situations. A lot of times our not-so-Steel sides are sides we shelter and protect, vulnerable and delicate we often disguise them or pretend they don't even exist, so bravo, kudos and mubarak for being strong enough and comfortable enough to share your experiences with everyone =)
It's truly a service to share yet another tool in your belt for dealing with the situations that at one time or another we may all find ourselves in.
I find it fascinating how much benefit, both spiritually and mentally is derived from oud, so much so that I had a long conversation on this topic when my father visited. Steel Hyaena isn't the only one to have proclaimed the tremendous benefit that oud had to soothe occurrences from PTSD, another Veteran from Florida, whom for anonymity I'll just call JDN has enumerated the benefits he has experienced as well (interestingly, also from Oud Yusuf). Another, whom I'll just call "M" mentioned the pain-numbing effect an old Oriscent oil had, and used it to soothe the aches and pains from a thrown-out back when she needed to focus and her prescribed medicine left her too drowsy and foggy-headed.
My father is a psychologist in New England currently dedicating his time to a community practice, counseling those with borderline personality disorder and who cannot afford private doctors. The following is my layman's understanding of his explanation. When discussing the topic he described how brain synapses are in fact like little streams, or channels, and the more they are accessed the wider, thicker, and stronger they get.
This means that when someone is 'triggered' the avalanche has begun and stopping it would be as impossible as holding back the avalanche with your bare hands... So rather than prescribed "solutions" which can leave people in a zombie like state, the doctors at his practice provide tools and skills for how to recognize the buildup before the avalanche, and what to do when it's at its breaking point.
One of the skills or tools that they impart on their clientele is sensory diversion. Because often these moods; the anger, panic, anxiety, depression or even embarrassment is all in the mind, we begin wandering down what has developed into a vast chamber of ingrained thoughts and they are so deeply routed that it takes a dramatic shift in perception to literally get out of it.... and, cue the oud!!!
Here's where oud comes into play, one of the most powerful senses is smell, it can take you back to childhood, or whisk you away to far off jungles and mountaintops. No matter how stuck in your thoughts you are, something sensory can snap you out of it, be it taste, touch or smell.
Ever heard of comfort food? Well, often when someone is stressed out in a mental rut (those deep synapses) they turn to taste to relieve their mind.
For touch, I can't help but think of someone yelling "SNAP OUT OF IT" and slapping another in the face, but what is meant is a bit more gentle... like gardening, and getting one's hands into the dirt, feeling the grains of sand, or moist loam squishing between your fingers.
And lastly, the wonder of smell; Perhaps the most portable and accessible aide of the bunch and perhaps the healthiest!
So when Steel Hyaena says "Oh I'm so *expletive* mad, where's some oud" I totally get it, oud is a beautiful and healthy choice that takes you out of the dark alleys of your mind, or away from the stresses of the day, and enriches your life!
Of course I am in no way a doctor, and am not recommending one recklessly abandons their prescribed medicine without consulting a qualified doctor, however I do see the numerous benefits of oud and have heard many testimonials proclaiming the tremendous effect it has had on people's lives and well-being.
There's just one problem now... which oud?!?!?