Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a severe and often debilitating condition that affects roughly eight million Americans every year. The disorder can be triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as combat, disaster, accident, or injury. Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks of the event, insomnia, and nightmares; feelings of isolation; irritability; anger; and the constant recall or preoccupation with thoughts of the event.
As we've seen in published research, cannabis works to help relieve PTSD symptoms, including anxiety and other stress-related disorders, by encouraging neurogenesis – producing new brain cells – and promoting relaxation and feelings of overall wellness such as happiness and euphoria, and calmness. Cannabis has also been shown to increase appetites in those who suffer from conditions like cachexia, common in people with PTSD.
Researchers are still exploring the specific ways that cannabis interacts with the brain to relieve PTSD symptoms, but it is clear that the plant holds great promise for those suffering from this condition. In states where cannabis is legal for medicinal use, PTSD is one of the conditions for which doctors are most likely to recommend it. If you or someone you know suffers from PTSD, please consider talking to your doctor about cannabis as a potential treatment option.
Cannabis has long been used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe and often debilitating condition that affects roughly 8 million Americans every year. Studies have shown cannabis to relieve PTSD symptoms, including anxiety and other stress-related disorders, by encouraging neurogenesis – producing new brain cells – and promoting relaxation and feelings of overall wellness such as happiness, euphoria, and calmness. Cannabis has also been shown to increase appetites in those who suffer from conditions like cachexia, common in people with PTSD.
How cannabis interacts with the brain to provide relief for PTSD symptoms remains unclear, but mounting evidence suggests that it holds great promise as a treatment option. In states where cannabis is legal for medicinal use, PTSD is one of the conditions approved for which doctors are most likely to recommend it. Please talk to your doctor about medical cannabis if you have PTSD.
If you consider using cannabis to treat your PTSD, it is important to first speak with a healthcare professional. They can help you weigh the pros and cons of using cannabis and advise you on the best way to use it for your specific situation.
There are many different ways to consume cannabis, so you should work with your doctor to find the best one for you. Some people find that smoking or vaping cannabis provides fast relief from their symptoms, while others prefer to ingest it in edibles or tinctures. No matter which method you choose, be sure to start slowly and gradually increase the dosage as needed. Taking too much cannabis at once can worsen your symptoms.
The dosage you need will depend on several factors, including your weight, metabolism rate, and the intensity of the symptoms. If you are working with a medical professional to treat your PTSD, be sure to follow their instructions for using cannabis as treatment.
In summary, research indicates that cannabis can reduce the symptoms of PTSD, including stress and anxiety. It is important to note that there are no psychoactive side effects with CBD-dominant products, but they may help treat various physiological and mental conditions.