Smoking weed to combat the symptoms of PTSD may seem to be the logical option especially with the number of states approving marijuana as a medical treatment increasing progressively. But does weed really help to calm PTSD?
Understanding your symptoms is the first step toward better treatment which is why we have covered everything you need to know about weed and PTSD in this article. But before we dive in, it is necessary to state that no amount of research can replace the importance of professional consultation.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is short for posttraumatic stress disorder which is developed by people who have experienced a shocking, scary or traumatic event in the past. If the symptoms disappear after the first month of the event, it is called ATC (Acute Traumatic Stress Disorder). But if the symptoms prevail, it turns into PTSD.
People suffering from PTSD might re-live the event through nightmares and flashbacks which causes them to develop disturbing thoughts and feelings. They may become detached from people and start developing violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, and depression.
More often than not, people turn to drugs to deal with PTSD. While marijuana may seem better than alcohol and other extreme measures, its effects are varied on different bodies. Even though some people consider weed to be an elixir for dealing with the trauma, others reveal that their situation worsened.
Weed vs Medical Marijuana
Weed and medical marijuana are essentially the same as they both come from cannabis plants. The difference lies in the type, quality and amount of the compound present in them.
Medical marijuana has considerably more CBD than THC which makes it less likely for the consumer to get “high” or become addicted. It should also be noted that the quality of cannabinoids in medical marijuana is highly regulated by chemical laboratories which ensure correct product formulation.
Weed has more THCs, exposing the consumer to a risk of addiction and other mental issues. The quality of these compounds has not been tested by laboratories and weed may even contain pesticides or harmful chemicals that can nullify any good effects it might be leaving on the mind.
Does Weed Make PTSD Worse?
There are several factors that come into play when determining the effects of weed on PTSD, first being the type, quality and amount of cannabinoid included. A higher amount of THC can cause the symptoms to worsen because of its psychoactive and depression-inducing tendencies.
But when the amount of CBD is higher than that of THC, the person may experience relief in the symptoms. This is because the less intoxicating CBD interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain that sends out mood regulating signals.
These compounds have shown to cause short-term memory loss which can help temporarily forget the traumatic event. This is the reason why medical marijuana is considered as a potential treatment for PTSD.
Another factor that should be considered is the continuation of weed. When consumed for longer periods, weed can cause depression and anxiety, nullifying its healing characteristics.
Medical Marijuana and PTSD
Just like the conflicted relation between weed and depression, the effectiveness of marijuana for PTSD also depends on various factors including the severeness of the symptoms. If the gravity of the situation has already reached an extreme, there is a chance that marijuana will make it worse.
Observational studies have suggested that the use of medical marijuana lowers the severity of the symptoms of PTSD. They also suggest that the people who consume cannabis are 2.5 times more likely to completely recover from PTSD.
However, some studies have revealed that the use of marijuana may cause an increase in the symptoms after the effects subside. This is mainly linked to the threat of marijuana addiction as a result of long-term use.
How Does Medical Marijuana Work
People with PTSD, especially women, have a greater number of cannabinoid receptors. So, when they consume medical marijuana, their brains send out strong mood regulative signals that may help relieve the symptoms.
Cannabinoids may also interfere with the brain’s short-term memory. This characteristic makes medical marijuana seem logical for PTSD because if the person forgets the event, even if temporarily, they would have a better chance at healing.
But this is a hypothetical observation and more clinical research on medical marijuana is required to label it as a treatment or a trigger for PTSD.
More Research is Required
While medical marijuana is being legalized in various states, the need to conduct more studies still persists. Clinical research would be able to answer the questions regarding the consumption of weed for PTSD.
Potential Side Effects of Weed
Continuation of weed for longer periods of time is bound to cause addiction, depression, and anxiety but even when using it in regulated amounts, there is a chance of experiencing the following side effects:
- Risk of psychiatric disorders
- Problems with memory function
- Lung and brain damage
- Addiction to marijuana
- Breathing problems
- Cardiac arrest and heart attack
- Physical body pain
- Paranoia and suicidal thoughts
It is important to note that no matter how good the effects feel at first, the risk of addiction always stands and starting the use of weed or even medical marijuana may become life-altering in the long run.
The Final Verdict
Considering these studies, it may be concluded that using medical marijuana in controlled environments and regulated amounts, preferably prescribed by a doctor, may help reduce the symptoms of PTSD, provided the person does not become addicted to it.
It is also important to note that the type of cannabinoid used for medical purposes is CBD while many of the users consume THC; a more psychoactive variant of cannabinoids. Larger amounts of THC are known to cause anxiety and depression, even for people who are not suffering from PTSD.But because weed is not prescribed by doctors and has a higher content of THC, keeping in mind that there might be harmful substances included in such marijuana, there is a chance it may worsen PTSD causing more violent and suicidal behavior.
