PTSD: Everything you need to know about using CBPMs for PTSD
The information provided in this blog is for educational or informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is a psychological condition that affects people who have experienced a stressful, distressing, or traumatic event. It is typically characterised as a type of anxiety disorder where individuals may suffer from intense and disturbing flashbacks to the event, even long after it has passed. Traumatic events can include anything from a combat situation to a road accident.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
It is common for symptoms of PTSD to develop within the first month after experiencing a traumatic event. However, for some individuals, it may take months or even years before the symptoms start to show up. While some people experience periods of less noticeable symptoms, followed by worsening symptoms, others may have constant severe symptoms.
Although specific symptoms may vary from person to person, they generally fall into these categories:
Re-experiencing or re-living the experiences
- Vivid flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Physical sensations that include pain, sweating, feeling sick, trembling
- Intrusive and repetitive images and thoughts
Hyperarousal or alertness
- Hyperaware of threats and easily startled
- Irritability and outbursts of anger
- Difficulty sleeping
Avoidance of feelings and emotions
- Inability to express affection and empathy
- Feeling numb and detached from your body and other daily experiences
- Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event
- Being unable to remember details of the traumatic event
Individuals living with PTSD can also struggle with other health conditions such as anxiety, depression, chest pain, headaches, and stomach pain, as a result of the complex nature of this condition.
How can medical cannabis help improve PTSD symptoms?
Cannabis-based prescription medicines (CBPMs) contain over a hundred different cannabinoids and other compounds such as terpenes, which have been shown to be helpful in the treatment of PTSD. The two major cannabinoids – CBD & THC, interact with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help regulate several different processes including sleep, mood, appetite, and memory.
A recent study provides further evidence that cannabis may have potential benefits for individuals with PTSD. The study found that individuals who suffer from PTSD and use cannabis reported a greater reduction in symptoms than those who did not use it. Furthermore, those who used cannabis were 2.57 times more likely to recover from PTSD than those who did not use it.
Another study revealed that low doses of THC helped reduce fear, anxiety, and other threat-related experiences by decreasing activity in the amygdala, a region of the brain linked to fear responses when confronted with danger.
Additionally, a study conducted on treating PTSD showed that cannabis could help reduce the intensity of traumatic memories by essentially re-writing these memories with new memories through a process called extinction learning.
Am I eligible for medical cannabis?
To be eligible for medical cannabis for Chron’s disease, you must have tried two types of medication, treatments or therapies that have been ineffective.
To find out if medical cannabis could be an option for you, a loved one or a patient, take our eligibility test in under 60 seconds.
Can medical cannabis help me?
To be eligible for medical cannabis treatment for PTSD, you must have tried two types of medication, treatments, or therapies that have been ineffective.
To find out if medical cannabis could be an option for you, a loved one, or a patient, take our free eligibility test in under 60 seconds.
At Mamedica, our team of doctors will assess your medical history and recommend a bespoke treatment plan that is safe and effective for your condition.