Veteran’s Day 2021 is quickly approaching. With more states joining the green team, cannabis’ medicinal appeal continues to increase. In 2021, adult use of cannabis among military veterans is at an all-time high. So let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. How does cannabis affect veterans suffering from PTSD? First, let’s understand PTSD.

Recapping Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is ordinarily ID’d as ‘PTSD,’ is a disorder created by traumatizing events of a person’s life. The trauma can be first to third-party. This indicates that traumatic experiences impose a negative long-term impact on people who have PTSD. Since trauma affects people in a variety of ways, PTSD appears in a litany of styles. Unquestionably, the most frequent example of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is evident in military veterans. This is likely due to the nature witnessed during their time of service. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was ignored until the 1980s. Here, it was annexed to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM.) This was a response to the return of Vietnam War Veterans experiencing long-term effects of the war.

Indications of PTSD

The signs linked to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder encompass a slew of unfavorable effects. Some of the more frequent symptoms attached to PTSD are behavioral and psychological. PTSD also has physical consequences. People who have PTSD are easily disturbed, withdrawn from specific emotional cues, active night terrors, restlessness, and a loss of appetite. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder also presents grim episodes of anxiety, mania, and depression.

Cannabis and PTSD

Today, it is believed that cannabis helps combat the adverse effects tied to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Most states offering medicinal cannabis via a weed card ( MMJ) lists Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a qualifying condition worth approval for a cannabis card. Cannabis has been found to combat multiple symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Weed can be used to improve mood, appetite and decrease episodes of anxiety and mania in most patients stricken with PTSD. Cannabis also helps patients who suffer from sleeplessness induced by PTSD. Bud can also help in removing episodes of trauma almost entirely, according to a study performed last year.

More verdicts on cannabis and PTSD

Last year, a study held by cannabis gurus at the Wayne State University of Detroit witnessed how cannabis utilization impacts the amygdala of those experiencing anxiety related to trauma whowho have developed PTSD have developed PTSD (i.e., Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.) The amygdala is the portion of the brain that administers and controls emotions. Former studies displayed cannabis decreasing anxiety and blocking high levels of panic in hazardous situations. Under this philosophy, patients who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ought to use cannabis to help alleviate the disturbance and emotional imbalance that is often associated with PTSD.

Additional findings on cannabis and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

There have been a handful of studies performed on the interaction between cannabis and patients afflicted by PTSD. However, cannabis researchers clamor for more studies. Unfortunately, due to the federal legality of cannabis, researching bud is nearly impossible. However, as the nation continues legalizing cannabis, the stigma associated with cannabis decreases. If bills such as the MORE Act are successful in passing, cannabis research will become legal. Imagine all of the medicinal effects that can be discovered (or disproven) without fear from the federal government.

Summarily, cannabis PTSD goes hand-in-hand. Cannabis use among veterans can have an advantageous effect. However, there is a population that doesn’t react to the psychoactive cannabinoid THC like others. Cannabis use among some veterans is not recommended due to the potential psychotic effects cannabis can impose (on a small population.) This does not mean that CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis, is not helpful for those stricken with PTSD.