Ptsd Patients Have Low Levels Of Natural Cannabinoids
In ;2013, The NYU School of Medicine;used brain scans to demonstrate that patients suffering from PTSD have chronically low levels of the natural;cannabinoid, anandamide, in their brain.
In theory, the administration of medical marijuana could help restore the correct imbalance of cannabinoids in PTSD patients and may explain why it relieves they symptoms of PTSD in some patients.
Medical Marijuana And Ptsd
Although PTSD and its symptoms can get alleviated with pharmaceutical medications and therapy, these methods are not always successful. In the case of medicines, they may lead to unwanted side effects. Some medicines can also lead to dependence. On its part, behavioral therapy can considerably lessen PTSD symptoms. Nonetheless, it takes take before the desired effects can be realized. Medical marijuana has been touted as an effective treatment for PTSD and doesnt lead to undesirable side effects.
Should Ptsd Be Treated With Marijuana Or Cannabis
The point of this topic is that CBD has shown to be effective when used with the help of a clinical professional. However, smoking marijuana to self-medicate for PTSD is not advised. CBD has proven benefits for many ailments, from easing stress and tension to pain relief and relieving nausea that stems from chemotherapy.
Cannabis helps people get a night of deep and regenerative sleep, can help prevent night-terrors associated with PTSD and prevents some people from having violent outbursts, as long as alcohol is not used at the same time as cannabis. It can also improve mood and impulse control and lessen traumatic memories.
Smoking marijuana is not only harmful to your body, but there can be roughly 500 chemicals in the buds or leaves. The THC level in marijuana cigarettes is hard to determine, which, if in excess, could cause psychosis.
Higher levels of THC can cause a person to develop a dependency on the substance and possibly become addicted to it. Addiction is defined as compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences, by the American Psychiatric Association. It is also known as a chronic disease of the brain that is treatable.
Written by: Rebecca Bryan
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Recap: Can Mmj Treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Dr. Merchant stresses how important therapy is for PTSD patients.
- Avoiding PTSD triggers can create harmful habits.
- Medical weed wont take away all your problems.
- Numbing PTSD symptoms with Medical Cannabis or any drug should not be the goal.
- Some people should not use cannabis, such as pregnant women, breastfeeding women, or patient with psychosis.;
- Medical marijuana can help alleviate symptoms of PTSD and help them to relax and sleep better.
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Increased Rates Of Marijuana Use
One large study of more than 5,000 people across the United States found that the experience of PTSD at some point in a person’s lifetime was associated with an elevated risk for also using marijuana.
Specifically, of those who had PTSD at some point in their lifetime, 65% also had used marijuana at some point in their lifetime and 14% had used it in the past year .
This study also found that the connection between PTSD and marijuana use was not due to the experience of other mental health problems or greater substance use in general among the people with PTSD. This means that there may be a specific connection between PTSD and the use of marijuana.
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Cannabis May Increase Anxiety & Risk Of Panic Attacks
Patients should realize that some strains/cultivars of cannabis can cause anxiety and increase the risk of panic attacks in some individuals.
Also, cannabinoid therapy is extremely individualized. ;The strains and amounts that work for me might not work the same for you.
Educate yourself and use cannabis responsibly under the guidance of an experienced doctor. ;Start small and use caution.
A medical dispensary should be able to best guide you on selecting strains to help treat your specific condition.
Additionally, patients should know that cannabis may increase the risk of psychosis in some people who are genetically predisposed.
How Therapy Can Help Veterans With Ptsd
There are several treatments that are effective, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Therapy methods include cognitive processing therapy , prolonged exposure , stress inoculation training , and present centered therapy . Other non-medication-based treatments include what might be deemed the basics: proper sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
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Further Analysis Of Results
In some instances, there were different results for men and women. For example, women reported more sessions with a reduction in flashback severity than men. The study said, Women reported a greater percentage of sessions during which flashback severity was reduced than did men.
In terms of irritability, the results were opposite to that of flashback intensity. The study stated, men reported significantly more sessions involving reductions in irritability than did women. However, there was no real difference between how men and women rated irritability after cannabis use.;
Can Cannabis Replace Other Treatments For Ptsd
Probably not. The researchers raised some interesting points.;
As mentioned before, higher doses of cannabis seem to be the most helpful with anxiety. However, the researchers are worried that this may cause cannabis dependence. The study says, The escalations in dose for anxiety adds credence to concerns of individuals with PTSD developing cannabis dependence. The study also stated that there are negative long term outcomes that plague those with PTSD who use cannabis excessively. In addition to that, the fact that people have to use higher doses to control anxiety may indicate some sort of tolerance to cannabis.;
In addition to that, as weve said before, the baseline symptom severity did not change over time. That means cannabis didnt fix PTSD, it just reduced the symptoms for the period of intoxication. The study said, .while cannabis intoxication can provide transient relief from PTSD symptoms, long-term cannabis use may not ultimately improve the severity of this disorder. This indicated that if youre trying to get rid of PTSD, seeing a professional to discuss medication or therapy options may be your best bet. However, if youre looking for temporary relief from your symptoms, weed seems to do the trick.;
The study did mention that the baseline severity of symptoms may not have changed because maybe those using cannabis waited until their symptoms got to a specific threshold before self-medicating.;
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Whats The Link Between Veterans And Ptsd
The VA has compiled some sobering data to show just how frequently and severely PTSD affects our service members and veterans.
And while anyone who has experienced a trauma can potentially develop PTSD, as these numbers remind us, our military personnel are subject to far more traumas than the average American. In fact, as you consider these numbers, keep in mind that the VA estimates that about 6% of all Americans will develop PTSD at some point in their lives, and its easy to see how PTSD disproportionately impacts our veterans and active personnel.
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Between 10 and 11% of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom veterans have PTSD in a given year.
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About 12% of Desert Storm veterans deal with PTSD each year.
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About 15% of Vietnam veterans deal with PTSD annually, with an estimated 30% having experienced it at some point in their lives.
Medical Marijuana Helps With Extreme Anxiety
For PTSS patients who suffer from tremendous and extreme anxiety, the function of extinction learning may be impaired. Researchers have actually found that an impaired endocannabinoid system could actually lead to the development and manifestation of anxiety disorders, such as PTSD. Medical Marijuana not only relieves the symptoms of PTSD and PTSS, but through the extinction learning process, can actually help replace those traumatic memories with new ones.
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Sunday Scaries Cbd Gummies With Vitamins D3 And B12
Sunday Scaries CBD gummies contain CBD derived from Colorado hemp, processed in Denver, and manufactured in San Diego. They contain added B12 and D3 vitamins, and the company highlight their use in eliminating stress and worry.
The gummies are GMP- and Kosher-certified, audited, and licensed. The company test all raw ingredients to make sure each product is safe for consumption. These gummies are gluten- and GMO-free. However, they do contain tree nuts, so are not suitable for those who have tree nut allergies.
Each gummy contains 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD. They are available in orange, cherry, pineapple, lemon, and apple flavors.
Depression Anxiety And Ptsd
Lifting low moods and calming chronic tension brought 1 in 5 older adults in a recent survey to medical cannabis. More than 90 percent said it helped. Meanwhile, treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder is emerging as another top use.
So far, data for all of these mental health issues is sparse. Well know more soon. At least seven studies of cannabis in anxiety and/or depression are in the works in the United States and around the world. So are at least six studies for PTSD.;
For now, small studies and surveys hint at benefits and problems especially for depression. The good news: In a 2018 Washington State University online survey of 3,151 medical marijuana users with depression, in-the-moment symptoms improved by 50 percent after just two puffs of generally low-THC, high-CBD pot. As with any drug, dosage matters: More wasnt better. The bad news: Over time, their ongoing depression worsened somewhat. Regular use may change cannabinoid receptors in the brain, boosting vulnerability to dark moods, the researchers note. Stopping can reverse it.
Note: Potency varies by strain and form, and it can often be tough to gauge;a patient’s;tolerance. So before;a patient;engages in a cannabis-based medical treatment,;he or she should consult their;doctor and approach with caution; theres limited scientific research and, as with any medication, the effects vary by user.
Quantity matters: A little bit reduced stress in a 2017 study. But 12.5 milligrams increased anxiety.
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How People Are Normally Treated For Ptsd: Prescription Medications
People who are suffering from PTSD and chronic pain are usually prescribed these types of prescription drugs to treat PTSD:
- Antipsychotics
- Antidepressants
- Opioid painkillers
Unfortunately, these prescription treatment options can sometimes create a zombie-like effect, leaving the patient feeling numb and detached from everyday life. Numbness and detachment are symptoms that can sometimes already be present in a person with PTSD. So some patients with PTSD may find that certain prescription drugs can exacerbate their existing issues.
Then, antipsychotics and antidepressants, while they may work for some, can make things worse for others due to unpleasant side effects. For example, SSRIs can help with depression for some, while they can also produce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in others. So, in certain cases, prescriptions can sometimes worsen existing mental health problems.
Additionally, its important to note that opioid painkillers are potentially dangerous. Opioids can be highly addictive and overdoses and death due to opioids are common.
What Does Medical Marijuana Do For Ptsd
Medical marijuana has become an increasingly popular method of treatment for people suffering from PTSD , also called PTSS . While research is limited, PTSD patients are stating that the benefits of medical cannabis have been noticeable, particularly when it comes to anxiety and sleep disturbances.;
The endocannabinoid system plays a significant part in two of the biggest PTSS factors: memory building and stress response. The CB1 receptor in your brain is responsible for what is known as extinction learning. This means that humans are able to replace old memories with new ones. By masking these memories, cannabis is able to eliminate that panicked response that would come when reliving the memories.
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Can Cbd Treat Ptsd
Is CBD legal?Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal federally but still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are illegal federally but legal under some state laws. Check local legislation, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration has not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be inaccurately labeled.
A 2019 literature review on medical cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, and PTSD found that CBD may be helpful. However, it concludes that scientists still need to carry out more research into its therapeutic uses, effectiveness, and safety.
suggests that taking CBD immediately after a traumatic event might make it more difficult for the brain to form the memories that may later develop and cause PTSD symptoms.
A 2016 study found evidence that drugs acting on the endocannabinoid system may reduce the symptoms that a person with PTSD experiences after a memory extinction procedure. This is because the endocannabinoid system, which includes CBD receptors, can affect anxiety and memory, two factors that play a significant role in PTSD.
Aversive memory extinction is a therapy process in which a person, under the guidance of a therapist, experiences similar situations to those that led to their PTSD symptoms, without any of the traumatic stimuli.
A found that people with PTSD who took CBD capsules alongside traditional counseling saw a reduction in their symptoms.
How Medical Cannabis Works
Patients suffering from a wide variety of ailments have begun to turn towards medical cannabis to seek relief from their symptoms. Patients suffering from seizures, pain, ALS, cancer, and many, many more conditions have reported experiencing a tremendous boost in quality of life due to the use of medical marijuana. Medical cannabis contains two primary compounds, THC and CBD. These two compounds work with natural compounds within your body to provide relief for pain, reduce anxiety, control nausea and boost appetite, as well as many other prominent benefits.;
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Medical Marijuana Is Expensive
It all depends where you live.
In many places where patients are able to access medical marijuana, its often cost prohibitive. In NJ, a monthly supply can cost over $1,000 each month.
Its EXTREMELY RARE for any health insurance to cover the cost of medical marijuana. It doesnt matter if the state has approved medical marijuana, insurance companies still dont have to cover it.
*Veterans living in AZ, CO, CA, MI, NV, NM or OR may qualify for medical marijuana assistance from Grow for Vets.
Can Medical Cannabis Help Ptsd
Recently, Elevate Holistics Aspen Jewel and Dr. Merchant went live on FB to discuss and answer viewer questions about post traumatic stress disorder , specifically medical marijuana and PTSD. Tyler Merchant, DO is one of our wonderful and compassionate cannabis doctors at Elevate Holistics. In addition to performing patient MMJ card evaluations, hes the medical director of Holistic Family Medicine and Obstetrics LLC, located in Sedalia, MO.;
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How Medical Cannabis Can Help Treat Ptsd
To put it simply, CBD and THC might be able to prevent the retrieval of traumatic memories and nightmares while also assisting PTSD sufferers with attaining emotional wellbeing.
Studies have suggested that PTSD patients may have lower levels of anandamide, a natural endocannabinoid molecule that promotes feelings of joy and happiness. Anandamide promotes serotonin activity and lowers feelings of stress and depression, and since CBD and anandamide have similar chemical and structural properties, CBD might be a natural replacement for anandamide.
Problems Associated With Cannabis Use
Cannabis use is associated with medical and psychiatric problems. These problems may be caused by using cannabis, particularly if use is frequent, chronic and begins in adolescence. However, these problems also may reflect the characteristics of the people who use cannabis frequently. Medical problems include chronic bronchitis , abnormal brain development among early adolescent initiators , and impairment in short-term memory, motor coordination and the ability to perform complex psychomotor tasks such as driving . Psychiatric problems include psychosis , depression and suicidality , as well as impairment in cognitive ability. Quality of life can also be affected as frequent, chronic cannabis use is prospectively related with decreased educational attainment, financial strain and antisocial behavior . Chronic cannabis use also can lead to dependence, with an established and clinically significant withdrawal syndrome .
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Active Ingredients And Route Of Administration
The cannabis plant contains a variety of components , most notably delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol , which is the primary psychoactive compound. The potency of cannabis can vary substantially. For example, the percentage of THC in the cannabis plant can range in strength from less than 1% to well over 30% based upon strain and cultivation methods. In general, the potency of THC in the cannabis plant has increased as much as 10-fold over the past 40 years . In addition to THC, the cannabis plant contains numerous other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol , cannabinol , and cannabigerol . The effects of cannabis use appear to vary as a function of both the concentration of cannabinoids in the plant and the ratios between concentrations of different cannabinoids .
In addition to whole plant cannabis, a variety of cannabis extract products have been produced and sold in recent years, such as waxes, tinctures and oils. The concentration of THC in these products can be as high as 90%. Thus, an individual could unknowingly consume a very high dose of THC in one administration, which increases the risk of an adverse reaction .