Treating PTSD with Medical Marijuana: An Alternative Treatment Approach
By Space Coast Daily // March 28, 2023
Post-traumatic stress disorder, aka PTSD is a really debilitating condition. It affects millions of people worldwide.
The condition is caused by exposure to traumatic events. It can lead to symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, anxiety and depression. Treatment for PTSD usually involves the use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Generally, these medications can be ineffective for some patients and cause significant side effects. Medical marijuana is considered as a potential alternative treatment option for PTSD. But ofc there is still controversy surrounding its effectiveness and safety.
Here and now, we will review the use of medical marijuana for PTSD and examine the evidence surrounding its use.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Many say that medical marijuana is one of the most effective treatments for PTSD. It activates cannabinoid receptors in your brain and body, that are responsible for regulating mood and stress levels. This helps improve your emotional response to traumatic events. Also it happen to reduce anxiety and panic attacks. In some cases, it can even be used to alleviate nightmares and flashbacks once and for all.
Marijuana use also stimulates the release of dopamine (a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating the pleasure-reward system). When you experience trauma, this system is often overstimulated. So Marijuana use can help restore balance to your body so that you can experience pleasure again without feeling overwhelmed by it.
The Role of Medical Marijuana in PTSD Treatment
Usually doctors prescribe medications such as Xanax and Prozac to PTSD patients to help them manage their symptoms. However, these medications are not always effective. Moreover they can have side effects such as addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Cannabis has been shown to be just as effective as traditional PTSD treatments, but with some key differences. For example, marijuana has fewer side effects than many other medications commonly prescribed for PTSD. In addition, it can be used in conjunction with other traditional treatments and has been shown to increase the effectiveness of those treatments.
The Evidence for Medical Marijuana in PTSD Treatment
At least 5% of the population suffers from PTSD, at some point in their lives, according to statistics. This number rises to 10% for combat veterans. PTSD sufferers often feel as if they are reliving a traumatic event and cannot escape it.
Traditional treatments for ptsd include psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy. Also medication such as antidepressants are prescribed. Sometimes even electroconvulsive therapy is what doctors use. These methods have been shown to be effective in treating acute cases of PTSD (when symptoms are severe), but they are not always successful in helping patients recover from more chronic forms of the condition.
Doctors and researchers are still unsure about the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana for treating PTSD. While some studies have shown that medical marijuana may be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms, other studies have been inconclusive or have not shown significant benefits.
One of the problems in studying Medical marijuana for the treatment of PTSD is the legal and regulatory barriers that exist. Medical marijuana is still illegal under U.S. federal law, making it difficult to conduct clinical trials and research studies. Much of the evidence for the use of marijuana is based on observational studies, case reports and anecdotal evidence, as a result of this.
The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that medical marijuana was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in a sample of 80 patients in 2015! Another study published in 2018 found that medical marijuana was effective in reducing anxiety and depression in veterans with PTSD.
Conclusion
To conclude, medical marijuana has emerged as a potential treatment option for PTSD. It may be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in patients with PTSD. Although there is still controversy surrounding its effectiveness and safety, the evidence suggests, that medical marijuana may be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.
We will be able to better understand the potential benefits and risks of using medical marijuana to treat PTSD with more research. If you have decided to purchase a marijuana product for yourself, we encourage you to explore a resource for purchasing. Our choice is hometownherocbd.com/collections/delta-9-gummies. The main thing is that you choose your products carefully as well and it is advisable to consult your doctor.
