Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition brought on by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. It can cause symptoms like intrusive unpleasant memories, flashbacks, extreme anxiety, and repeatedly thinking about the event.
PTSD is commonly treated with psychological therapy and may include pharmaceutical options, like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Now, evidence indicates that cannabis can be an effective way to help moderate the symptoms of PTSD.
What Causes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
PTSD is brought on by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Those events could be war, a natural disaster, an accident, a death, or any event that registers with the individual as traumatic.
Not everyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event will develop PTSD. It is currently not understood why some people develop PTSD and others don’t, but there are several common risk factors which include:
- Experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event
- Sustaining an injury
- Not having adequate social support following a traumatic event
- Dealing with additional stress following a traumatic event
- A history of mental illness or substance abuse
At the same time, there are factors that may mitigate the chances of developing PTSD following a trauma. They include:
- Strong social support from friends and family
- Joining a support group for people that experienced similar trauma
- Learning to accept one’s own actions during the event
- Having a positive or productive way of dealing with the trauma
- Learning to adapt and function, even in the face of fear
PTSD Signs & Symptoms
PTSD symptoms are broken down into several categories. To be diagnosed with PTSD a person must exhibit symptoms from each category.
Re-experiencing symptoms
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Intrusive and unsettling thoughts about the event
Avoidance symptoms
- Avoiding reminders of the experience
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, and discussions related to the experience
Reactivity symptoms
- Startling easily
- Being unable to sleep
- Hypervigilance
- Difficulty controlling anger resulting in outbursts
Mood and cognition symptoms
- Unwarranted feelings of guilt or blame
- Negative self-image and pessimistic outlook on the world
- Lack of interest in enjoyable activities
- Difficulty remembering or gaps in memory of the traumatic event
How Cannabis Can Help Alleviate PTSD
The relationship between PTSD and cannabis is a complex one that’s not entirely understood. As with most medical conditions and cannabis, there hasn’t been all that much research due to the Schedule 1 classification of cannabis at the federal level. Still, early findings look promising, and anecdotal evidence from patients suggests that cannabis may have a role to play in supporting PTSD treatment.
A pair of recent studies points to multiple possible mechanisms by which cannabis can help those suffering from PTSD.
Researchers found that cannabis lowered the response to perceived threats in the amygdala (the part of the brain associated with fear). The research specifically looked at THC’s effect on the threat response, indicating that it’s likely THC binding to endocannabinoid receptors in the amygdala that’s causing the lessened sensation of danger or fear.1
Another study out of Brazil looked into THC’s possible effect in lessening the stress associated with memories of a traumatic event. The study's premise came from Yale professor R. Andrew Sewell. Sewell theorized that in most people, the brain will build new associations with objects and places following a traumatic event, lessening their negative association until it’s much more manageable. In people suffering from PTSD, however, those new associations never override the traumatic ones. Sewell believed that cannabis could help those undergoing therapy to override the traumatic memories with more positive associations. The research out of Brazil backed up Sewell’s hypothesis.2
Additional research found that not only did cannabis help treat the symptoms of PTSD, but individuals that used cannabis over the course of a year both reported a greater decrease in PTSD symptoms over non-users and were 2.5 times more likely to no longer meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.3
That doesn’t mean the use of cannabis in PTSD treatment is free of risk, however. One study found that patients treating PTSD with cannabis were more likely to develop cannabis use disorder (CUD).4
Further research is needed to understand how cannabis and PTSD interact.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers [condition] to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes [condition] as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to register for your state’s medical marijuana program.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 22 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & PTSD
Which strains are best for PTSD?
There are several strains that patients have reported help them deal with PTSD.
- OG Kush
- Sour Diesel
- Blue Dream
- Harlequin
- Pineapple Express
- Cannatonic
- ACDC
Each strain has been noted by consumers for providing a relaxing effect that helps combat symptoms of anxiety.
Which is better for PTSD: sativa or indica?
There hasn’t been any specific research into whether sativa or indica cannabis strains are more effective at treating PTSD. However, most of the strains reported by consumers to help treat PTSD are sativa or sativa-dominant hybrids. It’s not clear whether it’s the sativa genetics specifically or the common terpenes that led to the trend.
Which terpenes are good for PTSD?
There’s no specific research into which terpenes are best for PTSD. That said, most of the strains typically associated with relief from PTSD symptoms are high in limonene, pinene, and caryophyllene.
Resources
1. Rabinak, Christine A., et al. “Cannabinoid Modulation of Corticolimbic Activation to Threat in Trauma-Exposed Adults: A Preliminary Study.” Psychopharmacology, vol. 237, no. 6, 1 June 2020, pp. 1813–1826, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32162103/, 10.1007/s00213-020-05499-8.
2. Raymundi, Ana Maria, et al. “Effects of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Aversive Memories and Anxiety: A Review from Human Studies.” BMC Psychiatry, vol. 20, no. 1, 26 Aug. 2020, 10.1186/s12888-020-02813-8.
3. First Controlled Trial of Cannabis for the Treatment of PTSD Raises No Safety Concerns, Further Research is Needed to Determine Efficacy. (2021, March 18). Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - MAPS. https://maps.org/news/media/first-controlled-trial-of-cannabis-for-the-treatment-of-ptsd-raises-no-safety-concerns-further-research-is-needed-to-determine-efficacy/
4. Metrik, J., Stevens, A. K., Gunn, R. L., Borsari, B., & Jackson, K. M. (2022). Cannabis use and posttraumatic stress disorder: Prospective evidence from a longitudinal study of veterans. Psychological Medicine, 52(3), 446–456. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329172000197X
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
