Cannabis and its importance in the battle toward Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been making a lot of traction as of late. In addition, cannabisand its derivatives, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been proven to produce many health benefits.
Multiple news references and study papers have been showing the effectiveness of marijuana toward PTSD. Even more, is that research is revealing that weed can help elevate mood and brain function. For example, one study highlighted in Healthline and distributed by the University at Buffalo discovered that “introducing cannabis into the system (of an animal test group) may better restore healthy levels and function” and hence ease traits of depression and PTSD.
So how do people with PTSD respond to cannabis, and what is the science behind it all? Read on to explore the purpose cannabis plays in regulating the brain and could be an alternative and innovative medicine for nursing PTSD.
What is PTSD?
PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is a medical ailment that afflicts people following a traumatic experience. People experiencing PTSD frequently relive the memories of trauma. These recollections can return in the form of flashbacks and recurring nightmares. Often leads to the patient developing various other illnesses such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and can even lead to suicide if allowed to progress. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia:
“Studies suggest that above 70 percent of Canadians are exposed to at least one traumatic experience in their life and that approximately 1 out of 10 Canadians may develop PTSD at some period in their lifetime.”
So How Does PTSD and Cannabis Intertwine?
marijuana dispensary is not a miracle drug that can cure PTSD overnight. But what it can do is reduce the symptoms associated with PTSD, thereby allowing the patient to heal at their own pace. In addition, recent studies have shown how cannabis can increase the chances of a patient completely recovering within a year. Therefore, cannabis could do more than reduce their symptoms; it could be a potent cure for those suffering from PTSD symptoms.
Secondary Illnesses That Cannabis Can Tackle
PTSD is not something that operates alone. It is frequently associated with other major mental illnesses. Therefore, by ingesting cannabis as medicine, you give the chance to counter some of these complications.
Depression is another illness that is discovered lingering amongst PTSD patients. With depression develops anxiety and, often, debilitating insomnia. But cannabis has again shown how it can assist users with these mental illnesses. Moreover, numerous studies have determined that cannabis can help relieve extreme depressive disorder. Therefore, by taking cannabis, you battle the primary mental affliction at hand and underlying mental states that can also be managed by cannabis. Which helps increase the patient’s chances of getting a complete rehabilitation at an expedited pace.
Science Behind Marijuana PTSD
Studies are being conducted on the biological mechanisms behind the functioning of cannabis. However, recent studies carried out showed two significant ways in which THC affects PTSD patients. First, these studies all reveal how THC in cannabis affects the amygdala. Amygdala is a part of the brain known for its role in processing fear. By ingesting cannabis products, researchers could see how there was decreased fear-related activity in the amygdala. The outcomes were that patients absorbing cannabis could diminish anxiety and fear during stressful times such as PTSD episodes. Essentially, victims who undergo vivid PTSD flashbacks will have a dampened response to stress.
Another study showed how PTSD and cannabis could help patients overwrite their traumatic memories. The process of overwritten memories is known as extinction learning. However, in victims diagnosed with PTSD, this process is interrupted. Researchers gather it is due to the impairments in the patient’s endocannabinoid system. Cannabis can potentially jump-start the receptors, thereby supporting the person to recover.
CBD Treatment for PTSD
THC is not the only vital chemical in cannabis; CBD plays a crucial role in battling PTSD. CBD can raise the endocannabinoid system. Since CBD is non-psychoactive, it can cut out the adverse effects of THC. Large THC doses found in cannabis can conceivably enhance the feeling of anxiety and self-consciousness. But CBD can decrease these side effects due to its calming quality. Therefore, CBD acts as an essential barrier against adverse side effects completing the cycle of restoration.
Pain Management
PTSD is damaging to one’s physical health also. Persistent pain is experienced amongst many patients. The connection between cannabis and pain management is assuring. These strains have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective qualities. Certain CBD-heavy medicinal marijuana strains are proficient in producing relief, such as Canntonic and Harlequin.
The Bottom Line
PTSD is not a one-dimensional condition. By using cannabis to treat PTSD, patients can tackle not only PTSD but the various mental afflictions that PTSD can manifest. Cannabis works differently for everyone; therefore, it is best to try it yourself and discover what is best for you. With more research supporting that cannabis great as a treatment against PTSD, the future looks promising for those seeking alleviation from PTSD without synthetic drugs.
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