Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not curable, you may use medical cannabis strains to assist with PTSD and anxiety treatment. The first step in treating trauma sufferers with PTSD should be psychotherapy or group therapy. It’s critical for PTSD sufferers to be able to overcome their traumatic experience since it’s determined by the trauma they’ve encountered, as well as how effectively they utilize the therapist’s tools. Delivery is a fantastic way to get high-quality marijuana if you’re searching for one.
Many PTSD patients also use certain strains of cannabis to cure depression and anxiety as a supplement to therapy. Depression and anxiety are both frequent symptoms amongst those who have been subject to trauma. The calming impact of Indica varieties, the energizing power of Sativa plants, and the CBD’s restorative qualities are all methods that cannabis may be used to treat this condition.
People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently experience chronic pain, sleeplessness, and an appetite loss. People with PTSD are more likely to experience a variety of issues, including chronic pain, sleeplessness, and hunger loss. Certain marijuana strains (particularly those high in CBD) can provide significant help for people coping with PTSD by alleviating these symptoms.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops in some individuals who have gone through a shocking, frightening, or dangerous event. Some people will not develop PTSD as a result of their experiences. Many individuals are able to cope with these events using past coping methods and lived experience.
Yes, for up to 10% of persons who survive a traumatic event, the reality is far worse. These people are tormented by recurring thoughts, flashbacks, and other signs of PTSD. For many of these survivors, cannabis has shown to be a supplement that aids them in dealing with, managing, and recovering from these events.
Cannabis for PTSD
Cannabis has long been known to assist with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but a lack of peer-reviewed evidence to back up its effectiveness has kept this information private. We’re on our way to more inclusive and reputable research on cannabis for PTSD thanks to two new papers.
According to a 2014 study from Wayne State University in Michigan, cannabis use can alter the part of the brain called the amygdala in persons with PTSD. During a traumatic event, the amygdala controls our fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. According to the study, “low doses of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can have anxiolytic effects, reduce threat-related amygdala activation, and improve functional coupling between the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex and adjacent rostral cingulate cortex (mPFC/rACC) during threat processing in healthy adults”.
Is Indica Or Sativa Better For PTSD?
Indica and Sativa are the two types of cannabis plants. Both varieties of cannabis have THC and CBD as their primary compounds. THC is responsible for the euphoric property of marijuana, whereas CBD does not cause intoxication and may help to balance it out. As a result, individuals who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prefer strains with a lot of CBD because they want to remain awake when they use cannabis.
Indica strains are preferable when it comes to treating anxiety because of their high CBD content and low THC quantities. Indica marijuana plants are also effective in relieving chronic pain, inflammation, and sleeplessness since to the high CBD levels present in these cannabis types.
Because Sativa cannabis strains have a greater THC concentration and a lower CBD content, many people with PTSD use these cannabis types to alleviate depression-related symptoms.
Weed Strains That Help Combat PTSD
It’s critical for us to clarify the distinction between cannabis strains that have a high amount of THC and those that feature a high amount of CBD before the magic occurs. High CBD marijuana plants are typically known for their mood-stabilizing properties, but high THC is more popular at night because it aids in deep sleep.
Knowing there are a plethora of strains on the market, we’ve chosen six of the finest for PTSD.
The Ace of Spades Hybrid may be the ultimate death card, but the strain that gets its name is anything but. Rather than causing death, it promotes health and healing in individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis and muscular spasms, chronic pain, sleeplessness, and stress. The Ace of Spades Hybrid is an indica-dominant hybrid with a 30 percent sativa/70 percent indica ratio.
The physical high is affected by both the body and the mind, but this strain leans more toward the physical. Expect a profound calmness in your muscles, strong euphoria, a burst of creativity, and a giggly, happy sensation. The ACE OF SPADES HYBRID is a cross between Black Cherry and Jack the Ripper, continuing their powerful legacy with THC levels that can reach 25%. Due to the fact that CBD levels are incredibly low, in available tests, and therefore this strain isn’t suggested to cure disorders that need CBD, such as epilepsy. The flavor is sweet and sour with undertones of citrus and spice, while the scent is similar but with added hints of loam. Light green buds with vivid red hairs and a thick layer of crystals adorn this plant.
Blue Dream is a wonderful hybrid strain with a pleasant balance of energizing and soothing effects, as well as a good mix of THC and CBD. Blue Dream is one of the greatest strains for anxiety and sadness because it is a cross between two different strains of cannabis.
Another hybrid strain with a considerably higher THC concentration than most cannabis strains is Pineapple Express. As a result, it’s one of the greatest cannabis strains for listening to music and socializing.
The Indica strain Sunset is one of the most effective strains for PTSD and anxiety, with a euphoric sensation comparable to that of an Indica. Anxiety was far more manageable for people suffering from PTSD since it contains a THC concentration of 23.7 percent and 0.07% CBD content.
The Dakini Kush is a great strain for pain and anxiety because it relaxes the body and elevates the mind. This cannabis strain may be useful to PTSD patients suffering from anxiety and chronic discomfort when used to improve their mood and decrease pain.
Medical Cannabis for PTSD Anxiety and Depression
According to studies, cannabis has both bad and good effects for anxiety and depression. Some people with PTSD will experience a significant decrease in these symptoms. Others may notice an increase in anxiety as well as paranoia. However, the pills that doctors prescribe for the treatment of PTSD have comparable opposing effects. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, for example, can exacerbate depression and anxiety symptoms. In fact, some of these medicines have been found to cause suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Medical marijuana hasn’t been linked to suicide in a direct manner.
Marijuana, PTSD and Reduced Risk
According to studies, and the Department of Veterans Affairs agrees, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can lead to self-medication – substance abuse to cure illness – which may be a cause of self-medication. Sufferers who do not benefit from prescription drugs turn to marijuana and alcohol in order to relieve their symptoms.
Although the VA has yet to conduct any research on how marijuana might assist people with post-traumatic stress disorder, it has discovered a link between veterans who visit the VA for health care and those who have a cannabis use disorder.
According to the Veterans Affairs, 40,000 post-traumatic stress disorder patients who were seen by the VA in 2014 were identified with cannabis use disorder. The reason for this is likely two-pronged. When traditional therapies for PTSD don’t work, individuals with the condition are likely to self-medicate using alcohol or marijuana. Others turn to alcohol to help them sleep better and relax their nerves; others choose to smoke marijuana.
Although marijuana is not considered as a treatment for PTSD in most regions, it is frequently done without the knowledge of patients’ therapists and physicians. People self-medicate with marijuana frequently without knowing what they are smoking, how strong the cannabis strain is, or even what compounds may be included in the strain. That might imply that they’re using a type of cannabis that isn’t as effective for their condition as another strain available from a physician and purchased from an authorized dispensary.
Furthermore, the VA has noted that individuals with PTSD are more likely to have difficulties quitting marijuana than those who do not have this condition. As a result, it’s even more vital that people living with PTSD who wish to use marijuana to manage their symptoms have access to medical advice. If persons living with PTSD were permitted prescription cannabis, the potential for negative effects, misuse, legal issues, and stigma may be reduced or altogether eliminated.
Antidepressant and antianxiety medications can have severe negative effects. Furthermore, treatment-resistant PTSD exists. Patients who cannot take prescribed PTSD therapies are left with only therapy, which may not be effective in all cases. Medical marijuana might help to alleviate symptoms in these individuals, lowering their risk of suicide and improving their quality of life.
Final Words
The results of using medical cannabis as a trauma-informed alternative therapy vary from person to person. Keep in mind that each species responds differently to cannabis. So, if you have access to a therapist who is well-versed in medical marijuana, we strongly suggest that you utilize it.
It’s a personal suggestion, whether you’re suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder or not, that you go low and slow to pick the correct strain for your requirements. Oils, edibles, and sublingual options are also available as non-smoking alternatives.