Medical Marijuana Strains for PTSD

PTSD is not curable as a mental illness. Medical cannabis strains, on the other hand, might be used to alleviate symptoms of PTSD and anxiety. The first step in treating PTSD patients should be group or psychotherapy, which can help people with PTSD deal with their traumatic experience. The ability to forget about the memory of this horrible event relies on both how traumatized persons with PTSD handle the tools provided by their therapist and how well they utilize them.

Many PTSD patients use particular strains of cannabis to treat sadness and worry as part of their therapy. Depression and anxiety are both prevalent symptoms among those who have experienced trauma. Indica strains offer a soothing effect, Sativa strains provide an energizing impact, and CBD has a calming influence, all of which may be utilized to alleviate the effects of PTSD.

People who experience chronic pain, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite are more prone to PTSD. People with PTSD may experience a variety of symptoms, including as chronic pain, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite. Certain marijuana strains (particularly those high in CBD) can provide significant relief for people with PTSD.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety ailment that affects some individuals who have had a traumatic event. Not everyone who has gone through a traumatic experience develops PTSD. Many are able to go through these events with resilience as a result of their past coping abilities and lived experiences.

Yes, for up to 10% of people who survive a traumatic event, the reality is far worse. These persons are haunted by recurring thoughts and flashbacks as well as other symptoms of PTSD. Cannabis has been found to be a supplement for many of these survivors in helping them confront, manage, and recover from these events.

Cannabis for PTSD

Many have already known that cannabis can help with PTSD, but a lack of peer-reviewed data to support its efficacy has kept this largely secret. Thanks to two new studies, we are on our way to more inclusive, reputable studies on cannabis for PTSD. 

A research conducted by Wayne State University in Michigan examined how cannabis use may affect the amygdala section of the brain in individuals with PTSD. During a traumatic event, the amygdala is what controls our fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. Researchers found that “low doses of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can induce anxiolytic effects, reduce threat-related amygdaloid activation, and enhance functional connectivity between the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex/rostral cingulate cortex during threat processing in healthy adults”.

Is Indica Or Sativa Better For PTSD?

Indica and Sativa are the names of the two types of cannabis plants. THC and CBD are the two most important cannabinoids in both Indica and Sativa strains of cannabis. Cannabis produces a euphoric sensation due to THC, whereas CBD does not cause intoxication and may help to alleviate it. As a result, persons suffering from PTSD who want to stay awake when using marijuana prefer strains with a lot of CBD content.

Indica vs. Sativa: Anxiety is generally better treated with Indica strains owing to their high CBD content and low THC levels, however anxiety is typically better treated with Sativa strains owing to their higher THC levels and lower CBD concentrations. Because of the high CBD concentration present in these cannabis strains, Indica marijuana strains are also efficient at treating chronic pain, inflammation, and sleeplessness.

Because of the higher intoxicating and energizing effects associated with greater THC concentration, as well as a lower CBD content, many people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder use Sativa cannabis strains.

Weed Strains That Help Combat PTSD

Before the magic can happen, it’s critical for you to know the distinction between strains that have a lot of THC and those that have a lot of CBD.

High CBD cannabis strains are often associated with daytime usage due to their mood-stabilizing qualities, whereas high THC is more popular at night because it aids in the production of dreamlike visions.

We’ve identified six of the greatest strains for post-traumatic stress disorder, based on the fact that there are a lot of strains available in the market.

Blue Dream is a wonderful combination of energizing and soothing effects, with a nice balance of THC and CBD that has an ideal ratio of THC to CBD. Because it is a hybrid strain of cannabis, Blue Dream is one of the best for anxiety and depression.

Another cross between sativa and indica is Pineapple Express, which has a considerably greater THC content than most cannabis strains. As a result, it’s one of the greatest strains of cannabis to listen to music and socialize with.

The Indica strain Sunset is one of the best for PTSD and anxiety, offering a more euphoric experience than most Indicas. Anxiety is far easier to manage for those suffering from PTSD due to its 23.7 percent THC concentration and 0.07 percent CBD content.

The Dakini Kush is excellent for pain and anxiety since it relaxes the body while also elevating the mind. This cannabis strain may be used to improve mood and decrease pain by PTSD sufferers with anxiety and persistent discomfort.

Medical Cannabis for PTSD Anxiety and Depression

According to studies, marijuana has both unpleasant and beneficial effects for anxiety and depression. Some people with PTSD will experience a significant reduction in these symptoms. Others may notice an increase in paranoia as well as other symptoms of the disorder. The tablets given by doctors to alleviate PTSD, on the other hand, have comparable opposing impacts. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, for example, can exacerbate depressive and anxious symptoms. In fact, several of these medications have been linked to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. There is no evidence that medical marijuana leads to suicide.

 Marijuana, PTSD and Reduced Risk

According to published studies, and the Department of Veterans Affairs agrees, self-medication — the use of illicit drugs to cure illnesses – can be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. When medications fail to provide relief, sufferers resort to medicines like marijuana and alcohol in order to alleviate their problems.

Although the Department of Veterans Affairs has yet to conduct research on how cannabis may help people with post-traumatic stress disorder, it has discovered a link between veterans who visit the VA for health care and those who have a cannabis use disorder.

According to the VA, 40,000 veterans with PTSD who were evaluated by the VA in 2014 were identified as having a cannabis use disorder. The explanation for this is twofold. When standard treatments for PTSD don’t work, persons with the condition are likely to self-medicate. Some people utilize alcohol to help them sleep better and eliminate anxiety, while others choose marijuana.

Although marijuana is not considered as a treatment for PTSD in many parts of the country, it is frequently self-medicated without the knowledge of the patients’ therapists and doctors. However, when individuals self-medicate with marijuana, they are often unaware of what they’re smoking, how strong the strain is, or even what chemicals might be included in the strain. That may imply they’re utilizing a type of cannabis that will be less effective at treating their trauma than one available through a marijuana doctor’s prescription and from an authorized dispensary.

The VA has also pointed out that persons suffering from PTSD are more likely to have difficulty stopping using marijuana than those who smoke but do not have PTSD. As a result, medical assistance should be accessible to people living with PTSD who wish to utilize marijuana to manage their condition. If individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder were allowed access to prescription cannabis, the danger of side effects, abuse, legal difficulties, and stigma might be reduced or avoided.

Antidepressants, for example, can have severe side effects. There is also treatment-resistant PTSD. Patients who can’t take the prescribed drugs for PTSD are left with only therapy, which isn’t always effective. Medical marijuana might help to alleviate symptoms in these situations, lowering the risk of suicide and improving quality of life.

Final Words

The efficacy of medical cannabis as a trauma-informed alternative therapy varies depending on each person’s experience. Keep in mind that every species is different when it comes to cannabis use. So, if you have access to a therapist who is certified in the usage of medical marijuana, we strongly advise you to utilize it.

It is recommended that you select the proper strain for you, as a personal preference whether you have PTSD symptoms or not, it is much better to go low and slow. You may also look for non-smokable alternatives including oils, edibles, and sublingual options.