#the mayo clinic: one of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder is difficulty managing emotions like anger

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HOW CAN MARIJUANA HELP PTSD?

PTSD, short for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a mental health condition that’s triggered by witnessing or experiencing a terrifying event. PTSD can cause symptoms like flashbacks to traumatic experiences, nightmares, and severe anxiety, all of which can have an enormous impact on your quality of life. There are various solutions to fight this disorder and medical marijuana is considered as one of the alternative methods of treatment for PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common issue among the general population, and it’s even more common among veterans who have returned from serving our country. Whether you are a veteran or a civilian, if you’re experiencing PTSD, it’s important to seek treatment for your symptoms. Having PTSD can make you feel like you’re trapped in a prison of your own thoughts. It can have a tremendous negative impact on how you feel from day-to-day, and it can cause problems with your social relationships and work life. So, if you have PTSD, what can you do to treat it? Doctors often recommend a multi-pronged treatment approach to those with PTSD. Doctors may recommend trying both cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. They may also advise patients to practice good self-care and build a strong support network to help them deal with their PTSD symptoms. Additionally, some doctors prescribe medical marijuana to help patients suffering from PTSD manage their symptoms. While the scientific research surrounding PTSD and cannabis use is still in its infancy, there have been some initial studies that found cannabis use may be helpful in managing PTSD symptoms. And currently, doctors can prescribe medical marijuana for PTSD in around half of all US states. But how can marijuana help PTSD? Why do some doctors prescribe medical marijuana for PTSD? Below, we’re taking a closer look at using medical cannabis for PTSD. We’ll talk about PTSD symptoms, potential cannabis benefits, cannabis vs. prescription medications for PTSD, and more. Understanding PTSD Symptoms Before we talk about the specifics of how medical marijuana is sometimes used to ease post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, we’ll first talk a bit about the symptoms of PTSD. Each person’s unique PTSD symptoms can vary. And your doctor may suggest you try a specific type of cannabis that may work best for your unique PTSD symptoms.

According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD symptoms generally fall into one of four categories: - Intrusive memory symptoms, such as: - Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of a traumatic event - Flashbacks (reliving a traumatic event) - Upsetting dreams or nightmares - Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of a traumatic event - Avoidance symptoms, such as: - Attempting to avoid thinking or talking about a traumatic event - Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of a traumatic event - Negative changes in thinking or mood, such as: - Hopelessness - Memory problems - Negative thoughts - Difficulty maintaining close relationships - Feeling detached from family or friends - Lack of interest in things you once enjoyed - Numbness - Difficulty experiencing positive emotions - Changes in physical and emotional reactions (also called “arousal symptoms”), such as: - Being easily startled or frightened - Always being on guard for danger (hyperarousal) - Self-destructive behavior - Trouble sleeping - Trouble concentrating - Irritability - Overwhelming guilt or shame While this list of symptoms can give you a general idea of the symptoms of PTSD, know that each person’s symptoms can vary. A person with PTSD may experience some, many, or all of these symptoms. Then, for each individual, the intensity of their symptoms can also vary. Medical Cannabis For PTSD A doctor may prescribe medical cannabis to help ease some of the disruptive symptoms of PTSD. In the state of Nevada, where our dispensary is based, people who suffer from PTSD (including military veterans with PTSD) can qualify for medical cannabis use. Some medical cannabis users who have tried cannabis for PTSD say that cannabis can have different functions: - Pain reliever - Sedative or sleep aid - Antidepressant (depending on the strain) - Anti-anxiety aid (depending on the strain) Some medical cannabis users also claim that medical cannabis does more than just treat their symptoms; it allows them to also be more fully engaged and active in their lives.

How People are Normally Treated for PTSD: Prescription Medications People who are suffering from PTSD and chronic pain (many people, particularly military veterans, who have PTSD also experience chronic pain) are usually prescribed these types of prescription drugs to treat PTSD: - Antipsychotics - Tranquilizers - Antidepressants - Opioid painkillers

Unfortunately, these prescription treatment options can sometimes create a “zombie-like” effect, leaving the patient feeling numb and detached from everyday life. Numbness and detachment are symptoms that can sometimes already be present in a person with PTSD. So some patients with PTSD may find that certain prescription drugs can exacerbate their existing issues. Then, antipsychotics and antidepressants, while they may work for some, can make things worse for others due to unpleasant side effects. For example, SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can help with depression for some, while they can also produce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in others. So, in certain cases, prescriptions can sometimes worsen existing mental health problems. Additionally, it’s important to note that opioid painkillers are potentially dangerous. Opioids can be highly addictive and overdoses and death due to opioids are common. The Use of Cannabis vs. Prescription Drugs for the Treatment of PTSD: One Veteran’s Experience While some people find that prescription medications for PTSD are a good option for them, other people don’t want to use prescription medications. Or, they may have found that prescription drugs do not work for them personally. And among those who do not want to use prescription medications, there are many who tout the benefits of marijuana use. Take, for example, Cody Barlow, a Navy Veteran who is also an advocate for medical cannabis. In a 2018 press conference presented by the Oklahoma Cannabis League, Cody Barlow shared his experience using cannabis to treat his symptoms. Barlow stated that after serving in the Navy from June of 2013 to September of 2017, he was diagnosed with, “PTSD, major depressive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, among many other things – chronic pain, insomnia, the list goes on.” Barlow continued, saying: “The only option for treating those, aside from therapy, is prescription drugs. The VA has been well-known to prescribe drugs heavily. That’s their go-to. Over the course of 2017, I averaged out the number of pharmaceutical drugs that I had taken in pill form to be 9,000 for the year. Averaging about 24 a day, I had some other pills that were ‘as needed’ so I would take upwards of 24 up to 30 pills a day.” But Barlow found that his prescription treatments did not work for him. He stated: “Through that course of treatment, I wasn’t getting any better. Things weren’t improving, I just felt really numb to the world. I felt dulled out and was tranquilized. I was on so many heavy sedatives I couldn’t function as a normal person anymore. I was giving up hope that that’s what was supposed to help me and it wasn’t. I felt like I was reaching the bottom and I was ready to end it.” Barlow then said that that was when he finally decided to try cannabis for himself. He visited a friend in Colorado, since cannabis was not legal in his home state of Oklahoma at the time, and tried cannabis for the first time. Barlow spoke on the positive effects self-medicating with cannabis had on his symptoms, saying: “I felt more normal than anything. I felt balanced out, my racing thoughts had slowed down, my depression had lifted. I felt like I was in the moment with my friends and family in the room like I could function again.” While advocating for the legalization of medical marijuana use in his home state of Oklahoma (where medical marijuana is now legalized), Barlow has also said that medical marijuana is “drastic and life-changing for me. Medical marijuana helps me with PTSD, depression, anxiety, pain, many ailments, and illnesses.”

Cannabis For PTSD: Understanding THC and CBD The feelings of fear, worry, hopelessness, and anxiety associated with PTSD cannot be fully eliminated. But many do say that the use of marijuana provides a respite sans all the debilitating effects of prescriptions. Still, it’s important to note that the results of using cannabis are dependent on the type of cannabis you are using since the different types of cannabis will affect the endocannabinoid system differently. For instance, cannabis contains two major cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the more popular of these two cannabinoids because it’s associated with feelings of euphoria. But, because it activates the amygdala (the part of the brain responsible for fear), it’s also linked to feelings of anxiety and paranoia. CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive compound that can counteract these feelings. In fact, there are studies that show that taking CBD on its own can reduce or even eliminate anxiety. Final Thoughts on Marijuana For PTSD Treatment Many people who have tried medical marijuana for PTSD have reported that it is incredibly helpful for alleviating their symptoms. If you’re interested in trying marijuana for your PTSD (and doing so is legal in your state), we encourage you to ask your doctor whether or not medical marijuana may be right for you and your overall health care plan. Club Cannabliss Newsletter Be inspired by the unconventional wisdom of our peers and experts as they help us get to a higher state of consciousness. Sign-in and edit your profile. Not yet a Member? Register and claim your spot among the anointed ones! LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOLLOWING CANNABIS PRODUCTS Indica vs Sativa. Which type of bud comes out on top? You can decide for yourself as we now dive deep into the world of the various types of cannabis strains.  

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Roughly 35 percent of Americans get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night, and about 30 percent of American adults have symptoms of insomnia, In other words, for many people, sleep doesn’t come easy. 

If you have problems with sleeping or struggle with symptoms of insomnia, you may have heard that cannabidiol (better known as CBD) could help you get a good night’s rest. We know that CBD has a variety of potential health benefits, including relieving the symptoms of anxiety and stress, which are often the root cause of many sleeping problems. But is CBD oil effective for helping treat insomnia, or could it make things worse?

Causes of Insomnia

According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common causes of insomnia is stress and anxiety. Worrying about work, health, finances and family can cause a great amount of distress, make your mind spin and make it difficult to fall asleep at night. Similarly, feelings of anxiety or even more serious disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder can cause insomnia, and things such as sleep apnea (periodic pauses in breathing) can all interrupt sleep.

In the long run, a lack of sleep can affect quality of life and lead to decreased performance, slowed reaction time and other mental disorders such as depression or anxiety that makes the situation worse. In some cases, long-term sleep deprivation can even increase the risk of physiological conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Can CBD Help You Sleep?

Although the scientific research regarding CBD for sleep is still in its infancy, with most studies thus far centering on animals, preliminary data shows potential for CBD oil as an effective natural remedy to help ease the symptoms of insomnia.

Scientists believe \ one of the main reasons why CBD helps with sleep is because of how it interacts with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) and helps us deal with stress and anxiety. 

CBD and Anxiety

Because CBD has a balancing effect on the ECS, it may help modulate and maintain a state of homeostasis in the body. Additionally, CBD may also prevent the breakdown of anandamide (often referred to as the “bliss molecule”), one of the body’s major endocannabinoids synthesized in areas of the brain that are important in mood, memory, motivation and higher thought processes. Anandamide also exhibits both anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties, playing and important role in helping manage and reduce feelings and symptoms associated with anxiety disorders.

So, when our bodies are in a state of balance with an abundance of our own endocannabinoids, which produce states of heightened happiness, not only do we respond better to stressful situations, but we are also going to hit the reset button faster. 

That is why using CBD for sleep could be particularly helpful for people who experience sleeping difficulties due to anxiety. In a recent study, scientists investigated the potential clinical application of CBD as a treatment option for anxiety and difficulties with sleep in a sample of 72 adults suffering from these issues. They found that within the first month, anxiety scores decreased in as many as 79.2 percent of the participants and remained steady throughout the duration of the study. Similarly, sleep scores improved in 66.7 percent of participants in the first month, though they seem to fluctuate over time.

CBD and REM Sleep

A compounding issue, many people have feelings of anxiety and negativity about the sleep problem itself, which creates a vicious circle: the less you sleep, the worse you feel, which causes less sleep, and so on. The reason for this is due to something called rapid eye movement sleep or REM sleep for short.

REM sleep is the sleep stage that is thought to benefit learning, memory, physical and emotional health. Researchers have long theorized that REM sleep contributes to core features of cognitive dysfunction and anxious depression. A lack of REM sleep is therefore often associated with biased memory processing that can lead to negative self-judgements, anxiety and depression. In a recent review study, researchers found that CBD may not only have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia, but it may also promote REM sleep, reducing many of the negative psychological effects of sleep deprivation.

Should You Use CBD for Sleep Issues?

Ironically, many people actually take CBD to help them feel more alert and focussed. So how can you use CBD to help you fall asleep?

The secret seems to be in the amount of CBD you take. Although there is fairly little published research regarding serving sizes, what we do know is that it seems that higher doses of CBD have a calming effect, and lower serving sizes of CBD have a stimulating effect for the average person.

However, one aspect muddying the waters when it comes to measuring intake CBD for sleep disorders depends on whether the person has a normal sleep rhythm or a sleep disorder.

In an early study on the effects of CBD on sleep, researchers found that people who do not suffer from sleeping disorders required very high doses around the 600-mg mark to have a sedative effect. In contrast, participants with insomnia only needed doses of 150 to 160 mg to increase sleep duration and reduce disruption. 

Because we all have an individual and unique physiological makeup, we all respond to natural remedies such as CBD differently. In addition, the severity of your symptoms and underlying reasons for your sleep problems also play a role in not only how much CBD you may need for symptom relief, but also how effective it would be for you.

If you are considering using CBD as a natural treatment option for helping you to fall asleep and relieve the symptoms of insomnia and anxiety, start low and go slow. For sleep disorders specifically, start with a serving size of 40 mg, gradually working your way up to a serving size where you find relief with an effective serving somewhere between 150 to 600 mg.

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