To cope with PTSD symptoms, many people resort to drugs and alcohol such as nicotine, cocaine, and marijuana.
Trauma patients are more likely to self-medicate using the drugs mentioned. This has the downside that they are more likely to become dependent on drugs, which can lead to a downward spiral in their lives nine out of ten times.
It is not hard to see that many patients with anxiety and PTSD use marijuana for self-medicating. However, marijuana is a lesser vice than other vices like alcohol, opioids, and methamphetamines.
Medical Marijuana, PTSD, and Medical Marijuana
Cannabis components have the dual ability to alter memory and reduce anxiety.
Cannabinoids given shortly after trauma could help prevent the development of PTSD-like symptoms.
Medical marijuana can provide relief and may even be used to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder.
What can medical marijuana do for PTSD patients?
Over the years, several scientific studies have been conducted to determine if medical marijuana can be used to reduce the severity of symptoms in PTSD patients.
Cannabis treatment may be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD.
Scientists have overcome this obstacle by using animals to test the effects of cannabis on PTSD symptoms. Despite this brilliant move, it is still difficult to replicate the true psychological effects of PTSD symptoms in animals.
Cannabinoids may affect PTSD symptoms.
Nevertheless, human trials could be in the offing to determine the effectiveness of medical cannabis for PTSD. This is due to a recent wave of legislative input that has seen many states legalize and decriminalize marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use.
The use of marijuana prevents hyperarousal, and PTSD-related anxiety, and can be used to treat it.
PTSD is a psychological condition. It’s important that you understand how the brain works to support its development and persistence.
The amygdala is a brain part that plays important role in emotion, and behavior. It is most well-known for its role in processing fear and the fight/flight response.
The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the regulation of many bodily processes.
What does marijuana do to the endocannabinoid systems?
Numerous studies link PTSD to lower levels of anandamide and increased expressions of the cannabinoid type 1-receptor (CB1), both of which are found in the endocannabinoid systems. This condition is also called an endocannabinoid deficit.
This imbalance could lead to hyperactivation in the amygdala. This can lead to extreme threat processing and hyperarousal anxiety.
Hyperarousal anxiety can then lead to a variety of PTSD symptoms such as:
- Sleep disturbances
- Cognitive impairments and memory loss
- Sensitivity to pain altered
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Emotional numbing
- Suicidality
- Re-experiencing
- Avoidance
THC can also regulate threat processing in trauma-exposed PTSD sufferers.
This theory was supported by PTSD patients who participated in a study, where they were exposed to fear-provoking situations and given THC doses. The test was not as severe as it sounds, but the participants had lower threat-related amygdala activity and less fear.
Marijuana reduces inflammation
Psychological conditions can sometimes lead to an increase in inflammation within the brain. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabis cannabinoid, are well-known.
This element is not only effective for pain relief, but it also activates the cannabinoid type II (CB2) receptors to combat PTSD.
How to get medical card in oklahoma?
Before using cannabis, people should have access to marijuana dispensaries besides legal protection and for that they will need medical marijuana card in oklahoma.
