Medical Cannabis for Trauma – Waiting for the Science

Up until recently, marijuana has been viewed by many as an escape, a way of obliterating present realities and even past, traumatic events. But, as scientists begin to understand more about the relationship between cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant, and their role in modulating the body’s own endocannabinoid system, perspective is shifting about the science-based therapeutic role that cannabis products could play in managing PTSD and post-traumatic fallout.

The endocannabinoid system is a natural function of the body that is known to regulate mood, sleep, appetite, memory and even has a role in our fertility and reproductive health. The endocannabinoids that are produced by the body find their way to the body’s endocannabinoid receptors that work in complex harmony to maintain homeostasis (the central balance of the internal body).

Although the body produces its own cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are natural cannabinoids found in the hemp and cannabis plants that compatible and can adhere to the human cannabinoid receptors affecting a variety of conditions. In the case of THC, there are behavioral-changing effects due to its psychotropic nature but CBD has no mind-altering effects and has been found to play a big part in the improvement of mood, inflammation, pain and anxiety – for starters.

Science is still in the early stages of understanding how the complex endocannabinoid system works and how adding external cannabinoids and different combinations of cannabinoids affect the overall system. What is emerging is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that people are effectively using medical marijuana to manage PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and the studies back it up.

In a report on medical marijuana use by Canadian military veterans it was found that 15-18% of veterans were experiencing PTSD and as of August 2018, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) was reimbursing 8,175 veterans for medical cannabis equivalent of $51 million in reimbursements.

Further Canadian findings from The Journal of Psychopharmacology established that there was a strong link for PTSD sufferers with suicidal ideation and depressive episodes. The risk for depression for those who were not using cannabis was seven times higher than those who were and for suicidal ideation it was five times higher. In cannabis users, PTSD was not associated with any other outcome.

A report by the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience found that the proliferation of medical marijuana is outstripping the rate of research and that despite early tests showing that marijuana did indeed have a positive impact on those suffering from PTSD, more work needed to be done to understand how and why.

More recently though, a study uncovered that PTSD sufferers actually had impaired functioning in the endocannabinoid system. Forbes shares that further interesting developments from Wayne University include the idea that lowering the response of the body’s amaygdala (fight or flight mechanism) will help people better cope with processing trauma and limiting the damage of a trauma response. Cannabis is highly effective in doing this.

Similarly, researchers at Brazil’s Parana University are exploring the idea that a combination of CBD and THC can create an escalation in what is called the ‘extinction’ of painful memories, allowing the patient to process and regain control over their life. This is not news. Many people have done this with marijuana purely because someone suggested they try it and it worked for them but when science catches up we will better understand how to implement programmes that will also manage possible dependency and support the patients from a behavioural and emotional perspective. For the many PTSD sufferers out there now, marijuana is one of the safest ways to get through the day.