cannabis to help with PTSD

Introduction

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that can develop after exposure to traumatic events. Symptoms include hyperarousal, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbances. Recently, there has been growing interest in the use of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids as potential treatments for PTSD.

Key Insights

Cannabis for Symptom Relief:
- Cannabis use is associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disturbances, and intrusive thoughts .
- Patients report using cannabis primarily for coping and sleep improvement .
Efficacy and Safety:
- Current evidence on the efficacy and safety of cannabis for PTSD is limited and inconclusive. Some studies show symptom improvement, but no significant difference compared to placebo .
- There is a need for more well-controlled and adequately powered studies to determine the effectiveness and safety of cannabis for PTSD .
Cannabinoid Mechanisms:
- Cannabinoids may help manage PTSD symptoms by modulating neurotransmitter release, reducing the emotional impact of traumatic memories, and aiding in fear extinction .
- The endocannabinoid system is a viable target for treating PTSD symptoms .
Patient Experiences:
- Military veterans with PTSD report using cannabis to manage symptoms and improve sleep quality. However, there is a stigma associated with its use .
- Patients often use a variety of cannabis strains and dosages, and some report therapeutic effects without the urge to "get high".

Conclusion

Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids show potential for alleviating PTSD symptoms, particularly anxiety and sleep disturbances. However, the current evidence is limited and inconclusive, necessitating further research to establish their efficacy and safety. Patients, especially military veterans, report using cannabis for symptom management, but the stigma and variability in individual responses highlight the need for more comprehensive studies.

Cannabis to help with PTSD

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Using cannabis to help you sleep: heightened frequency of medical cannabis use among those with PTSD.

High PTSD scores are associated with increased medical cannabis use for sleep improvement and coping, with sleep improvement being a primary motivator.

Use of Medicinal Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Systematic Review

Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids show potential in improving PTSD symptoms, but more research is needed to confirm their safety and efficacy.

The short-term impact of 3 smoked cannabis preparations versus placebo on PTSD symptoms: A randomized cross-over clinical trial

Smoked cannabis preparations showed good tolerability and significant improvements in PTSD symptoms during three weeks of treatment, but no active treatment statistically outperformed placebo in this brief, preliminary trial.

Evidence for Use of Cannabinoids in Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and PTSD: A Systematic Review.

Insufficient evidence exists to recommend CBD and THC for treating affective disorders, anxiety disorders, or PTSD due to limited and small-scale studies.

Medical cannabis for treatment-resistant combat PTSD

Medicinal cannabis significantly improves sleep quality and PTSD symptoms in treatment-resistant combat PTSD patients, but does not significantly affect nightmare frequency.

Use and effects of cannabinoids in military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Cannabinoids, found in cannabis and its derivatives, are used by military veterans with PTSD to control symptoms, with some reporting benefits such as reduced anxiety, insomnia, and improved coping ability.

Mitigation of post-traumatic stress symptoms by Cannabis resin: a review of the clinical and neurobiological evidence.

Cannabis resin may help reduce PTSD symptoms by dampening the emotional impact of traumatic memories, making it easier for patients to rest and sleep, and feel less anxious and involved with flashback memories.

Short and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Cannabis provides temporary relief for PTSD-related symptoms, but may not be an effective long-term remedy due to baseline symptoms maintaining over time and anxiety dose increasing over time.

Evidence lacking to support cannabis for treating PTSD, chronic pain

Cannabis has insufficient evidence to support its use in treating PTSD and chronic pain, with limited evidence suggesting it can relieve neuropathic pain in some patients, but also indicating potential psychotic or manic symptoms.

Experiences with medical cannabis in the treatment of veterans with PTSD: Results from a focus group discussion

Veterans with PTSD use medical cannabis to manage symptoms and experience therapeutic effects, including increased sleep quality, without experiencing the urge to "get high."

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