Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating mental health condition resulting from one or more traumatic events in one’s life.
According to the National Institute of Health, around half of the adults in the US will experience at least one significantly traumatic experience in their lives. But that doesn’t mean they will develop PTSD, and the majority do not. But for those who are unfortunate enough to have to face the debilitating emotional agony of PTSD, it can be a long journey of inner healing.
While Cognitive Behavioural and exposure therapy are the traditional and most effective treatments for PTSD, many sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder do not find adequate relief from these treatments alone.
It’s no surprise that those in pain will seek other ways of healing and freeing themselves from the ever-present darkness of their trauma. One alternative treatment people are turning to for coping is medical cannabis.
Previous research has linked PTSD patients who use cannabis with poorer mental health, but this was not conclusive as to whether cannabis worsens PTSD symptoms, or if those with PTSD are more inclined to self-medicate.
Interestingly, a Canadian population-based study found that those suffering from PTSD who did not use cannabis carried around seven times the risk of a major depressive episode in comparison to those that used cannabis, and almost five times the risk of suicidal ideation.
So while in-depth research on PTSD and cannabis is still in the works, the contrasting population studies do show a promising picture.
How cannabis helps with PTSD
The conventional pharmacological treatment for PTSD involves using SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to increase serotonin in the brain, and although SSRIs do help in doing so, their use in treating PTSD is up for debate. A study by the US Department of Veterans Affairs found the commonly used SSRI, Sertraline, to be no more effective than treatment with a placebo.
While the effects of cannabis are still being studied, there are a few factors that suggest why cannabis may be an effective treatment option for PTSD.
It reduces anxiety
In PTSD patients, one of the main symptoms is anxiety. CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis, and is known to reduce stress and anxiety. CBD oil is the most common form of CBD that is taken, and it’s available in a number of different types, such as isolate, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum.
THC helps reduce REM
One of the more common expressions of PTSD is through nightmares, and reducing REM sleep means fewer dreams and fewer nightmares. THC has an interesting ability to reduce REM sleep. A study conducted in 2008 showed that ingesting marijuana strains high in THC reduced REM sleep.
It alleviates insomnia
Insomnia is more than a minor nuisance for people suffering from PTSD, as it affects 70 to 91 percent of patients. PTSD sufferers often manifest a state of hyper-arousal, in which the individual is constantly (subconsciously) on-guard, resulting in anxiety and difficulty with falling asleep.
There are different strains of marijuana. Not all strains are equal, so when looking at the best strains for helping with sleep, the first things you want to look for are the CBD and THC ratios.
Cannabis contains a number of cannabinoids, but the two most notable are CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). CBD is non-psychoactive and doesn’t cause you to feel high, whereas THC is a psychoactive compound, responsible for the high feeling you may experience when smoking marijuana.
THC is also responsible for inducing sleep, so you will want a strain with more THC than CBD, but THC levels beyond 20 percent could actually leave you feeling groggy the next morning.
Hopeful signs
Although research is still ongoing, and more studies are needed to uncover the full potential of cannabis for PTSD patients, anecdotal evidence suggests that the compounds found in cannabis (in combination with traditional therapy) can have a positive impact on those healing from PTSD.
Medical disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only and may not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians. Please refer to the full text of our medical disclaimer.
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