September, 2019
By Queen Writer
HOW CANNABIS CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH AILMENTS AND PTSD
The processing of traumas is not secure. Chronic stress, anxiety disorders, and sleep problems are just some of the many symptoms of a complex post traumatic stress disorder. In general, every person can be affected by this disorder, and a single traumatic event can lead to long-lasting mental health problems. German researchers now suspect that cannabis may have a therapeutic effect on PTSD and conduct studies on their hypothesis.
According to statistics, up to 8% of the population suffers from post traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives. This disorder can severely impair everyday life. Paranoia and anxiety disorders prevent many sufferers from self-confidently mastering contact with the outside world. Even harmless stimuli can cause those affected to have a traumatic situation in mind again. Cannabis in PTSD could be a solution.
The idea of using cannabis in PTSD seems unusual at first, but studies have shown that CBD and THC can treat many symptoms of PTSD. Particularly interesting are the findings of science on the use of CBD in anxiety and sleep disorders. Since the active ingredients of the cannabis plant have calming and stress-relieving properties, experts suspect that the use of cannabis in PTSD could soon become an established treatment method.
WHAT IS POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER?
PTSD, this experience can come in many forms. Both physical violence and a car accident can severely traumatize a person and cause long-term damage. The duration of the lessons is of little importance. Studies have shown that a traumatic experience can only take a few seconds for symptoms of PTSD to occur. Eyewitnesses can also develop PTSD, not only victims of extraordinarily stressful events are affected.
It is different in some case basis as to how severe the psychological damage of a complex post traumatic stress disorder is. In many circumstances, however, sufferers share several typical symptoms. Some of these symptoms are:
Impressive memories of the traumatic experience
Paranoia and anxiety disorders
Nightmares and sleep problems
Emotional or physical pain
Irritability and social isolation
People with a post traumatic stress disorder experience the traumatic experience in their thoughts again and again in dreams or flashbacks. They often experience the feelings of total helplessness and extreme horror that they felt in the original experience. In some cases, PTSD causes those affected to feel responsible for the traumatic experience and to struggle with severe guilt. Researchers are currently investigating the efficacy of many drugs, including cannabis in PTSD.
Therapy and treatment methods
It is essential to treat complex post traumatic stress disorder effectively because of the risk of developing chronic symptoms. Behavioral therapy with a trained psychotherapist is vital here. The treatment can be adjusted according to the severity of the illness to guarantee an individual and effective treatment. In some cases, hospitalization may be beneficial in that the sufferer has depressive symptoms.
In general, therapy methods focus on four main goals:
To give the patient the feeling of being able to control the traumatic memories
Stressful symptoms such as anxiety disorders sleep problems and depressive phases
Help the person concerned to set a new, productive focus in life and to accept the past
To strengthen social interactions and the social environment of the person
For now, it is particularly important to create a safe environment for the affected person to relieve chronic anxiety. The patient must feel safe for the therapy to be successful. In the following, the psychotherapist establishes a relationship with the patient and teaches him various techniques to control the stressful memories. Ultimately, the patient should overcome the trauma himself. The shock is repeatedly intensively experienced and thus weakened in some therapy methods.
Drug treatment of PTSD is also possible. Some doctors prescribe antidepressants and active benzodiazepines to relieve the symptoms of the condition, but these medications can only be partially effective. Primarily benzodiazepines are known for their great addictive potential. Doctors in America, many Balkan countries and Israel are already using cannabinoid drugs to support therapy for complex post traumatic stress disorder. Thus, cannabis in PTSD can lead to a significant improvement in symptoms.
In which diseases is cannabis medicine used?
The effects of cannabis are proven in these complaints and diseases:
Chronic pain
Phantom pain (after amputation)
Severe anxiety disorders
burnout
MS (multiple sclerosis)
Cancers, including chemotherapeutic
epilepsy
Tourette syndrome
Green Star (glaucoma)
arthritis
etc.
An attending physician can determine if cannabis medicines are suitable for you. When prescribing the medical history, previous therapies, etc. are taken into account.
HOW DO CANNABIS MEDICINES WORK?
Cannabis medicines work on both the physical and psychological levels:
⦁ Bright mood on
⦁ Inhibit pain
⦁ Relax muscles
⦁ Expand the bronchi
⦁ Lower the intraocular pressure
⦁ Promote appetite / inhibit nausea
For therapeutic success, several of these aspects are incorporated. In chronic pain, the drug acts directly on the nerve channels, inhibiting pain, and relaxing the muscles. At the same time, the mood is improved, which leads to better handling of the strain on a psychological level. In the long term, pain often occurs even after the end of the therapy less or not at all. The reason: The body was used to hurt for years and has developed a “pain memory.” The psychic effects of cannabis medication can unlearn this.
HOW CAN CANNABIS HELP WITH PTSD?
Cannabis has a variety of medicinal benefits. With over 100 different ingredients, cannabis works in many areas of the human body and not only causes a state of intoxication. IN last few years, researchers have discovered that the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant can be used effectively to treat many diseases and ailments. Cannabis can gently alleviate both physical and mental discomfort and, in some cases, even lead to the treatment of the cause of illness. Especially in the treatment of anxiety disorders and the treatment of chronic pain, cannabis has been able to achieve amazing results.
The use of cannabis in PTSD is a gentle way to deal with extreme experience.
The use of cannabis in PTSD is a gentle way to cope with the ultimate experience.
By regulating the concentration of dopamine, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD provide for an elevated mood and have a generally relaxing effect. Researchers suggest that glutamate and serotonin may also play an essential role in the effects of cannabis on PTSD to treat mental health problems.
The most crucial feature of cannabis in PTSD is the ability to fight depression. Due to the intense mental and physical stress, many sufferers are at risk for the development of depression. Listlessness, ongoing mourning, and even suicidal thoughts are severe symptoms of PTSD patients. Cannabis has been proven in numerous studies that the effect of cannabinoids in the human body can treat the symptoms of depression long-term, gently and effectively.
CBD is an effective alternative to THC in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
Cannabidiol, in particular, can be of great help in the treatment of PTSD. Due to the psychoactive effect of THC, some patients may develop temporary psychological problems. Especially those with a tendency to psychosis should be careful with the use of cannabis in PTSD. In contrast, CBD has no psychoactive effect and can easily be used against anxiety disorders and sleep problems.
Studies on the efficacy of cannabis in PTSD
A German team of researchers from Munich conducted a study in 2012 (1) on the effects of ongoing stress on the endocannabinoid system. Scientists have studied how the concentration of endogenous cannabinoids changes when participants are exposed to high levels of stress. Participants who were well-endowed with exercise showed a significantly higher strength of endocannabinoids than other participants. These results suggest that an increased concentration of endocannabinoids may be necessary for the adaptation and processing of mental and physical stress.
PTSD can also be caused by physical abuse.
PTSD can also be caused by physical abuse.
In 2014, Israeli researchers published a study examining the effects of cannabis on PTSD. In this study, the scientists administered five patients with PTBS twice daily 5 mg THC. The results are astonishing; according to the study summary, THC treatment has alleviated the severity of the symptoms. Furthermore, the treatment should have significantly improved the quality of sleep and the frequency of nightmares.
Treatment with cannabis in PTSD can lead to a significant improvement in symptoms.
Mexico is part of the few US states that allowed the use of cannabis in PTBS. In 2014, in an analysis of 80 psychiatric assessments of PTSD patients, researchers found that using marijuana in PTSD can improve the measured symptoms by up to 75%. However, scientists point out that large-scale placebo studies are still lacking to make a scientifically sound statement on the efficacy of cannabis in PTSD.
Further findings of science
Nabilone is a synthetic form of THC and is approved in Germany as a drug to treat the nausea of chemotherapy patients or the anorexia of AIDS patients. However, numerous studies now show that the active ingredient of the cannabis plant can also be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder. The effectiveness of the drug seems to be very good in numerous studies so far.
In a Canadian study, researchers investigated how nabilone affects the PTSD of Canadian soldiers. Ten members of the Canadian military have taken up to 3 mg of nabilone over 14 weeks to treat their nightmares. The result seems very promising. The researchers explain that nabilone could significantly improve the symptoms. Nabilone appears to be a clinically relevant treatment for patients with treatment-resistant nightmares.
These results were not an isolated case in 2014. Canadian researchers were able to achieve similar results in a retrospective study of 104 patients. The use of the ingredient of cannabis in PTSD has led to significant improvements in insomnia, nightmares, and other PTSD symptoms, according to the researchers.
SIDE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS
The ingredients of the cannabis plant are often found in the human body. Through complex chemical processes, these endocannabinoids act on specific receptors and provide a variety of beneficial effects. However, like all medically useful substances, cannabis may also have undesirable side effects in some instances.
People with susceptibility to psychosis may experience temporary mental health problems due to the psychoactive properties of THC. Highly concentrated forms of THC should, therefore, preferably be used under the supervision of a trained therapist. Even CBD, despite its gentle mode of action, can cause some side effects. Dryness, tiredness, and loss of appetite may occur when taking CBD.
CONCLUSION
The use of cannabis in PTSD can help many people to treat their symptoms. Traumatic experiences often leave permanent wounds and can only be handled by intensive therapy. However, support from the use of various drugs is beneficial and desirable by many therapists. In contrast to artificially manufactured medications with strong side effects, cannabis in PTSD can act gently and relieve many complaints.
Studies on the use of cannabis in PTSD are looking very promising, and doctors have already announced further more extensive studies. These large clinical trials are needed to demonstrate that marijuana is an effective treatment for PTSD. Since the standards for the approval of a drug in many countries are very high, it may take several years before the use of cannabis in PTSD is allowed in Germany.
But already today, thousands of people can benefit from the efficacy of cannabis. Although THC is still subject to criminal law in many countries, there is the possibility to use CBD in PTSD. With a similar mode of action to THC, CBD can help resolve anxiety and relieve physical and emotional pain. The use of cannabis in PTSD is already possible today and has the potential to treat traumatic experiences.
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