In a world where mental health struggles are often met with scepticism or medicated with a cocktail of pharmaceuticals, I hope that my journey from the depths of trauma to co-founding KLORIS stands as a beacon of hope for at least one person.
My battle with ADHD and PTSD led me to discover the healing power of cannabidiol (CBD) and ultimately to my drive to share it with the world.
I was born in Iran during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, and I moved to the UK with my family when I was a child. However, the scars of war followed me, compounded by the harsh realities of growing up in a rough neighbourhood in Sheffield. Park Hill flats was not a place for the faint-hearted. Violence was a daily occurrence!
Amidst the chaos, I found solace in music, but my struggles were far from over as regularly at school, I struggled with bullying and racism. Diagnosed with ADHD and PTSD in my teens, I was prescribed a slew of medications, each laden with debilitating side effects. From Fluoxetine to Paroxetine to Ritalin, the drugs offered little relief and only added to my suffering.
It was like being trapped in a nightmare. The prescription drugs dulled my senses, numbed my emotions, worsened my depression and made me put on a huge amount of weight as they messed with my body’s metabolisation. I knew I had to find another way.
That way came in the form of CBD, a natural non-intoxicating compound extracted from hemp or cannabis plant, coupled with talking therapy and Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Through rigorous research and experimentation, I discovered the power of CBD and was amazed at the transformation I experienced without incurring the harmful side effects of conventional medications.
It helped me regain control of my life without sacrificing my mental clarity or emotional well-being.
However, finding quality CBD products proved to be a challenge. Many were ineffective or of dubious quality. Determined to create something better, I teamed up with my girlfriend Kim and friend Matt to found KLORIS.
Our mission was simple, to create premium products that we would be proud to use ourselves, with full transparency and quality control.
With the expertise of my brother, a world-renowned plant scientist, we developed a range of CBD products manufactured in pharmaceutical-grade labs in the UK.
Opening our flagship store in Soho was a dream come true. To see how KLORIS has now grown and positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of people is beyond anything I could have imagined.
As someone who has walked the dark path, I want to shine a light for others. CBD gave me hope when all else failed, and now I'm honoured to pay it forward. I hope that talking about my journey can help ease the stigma surrounding mental health just a little.
