For those of you who are unfamiliar with the details and definitions of post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, is when there is an event or situation (or several) that occurs in an individual’s life that is perceived as a threat, this then results in the person’s body and mind continuing to experience physical and emotional effects after the event has occurred.
One of the most common types of PTSD occurs with military personnel in combat and after combat. Other kinds of traumatic experiences can include physical assault, physical or emotional abuse as children, domestic violence, sexual assault, a life of challenging illness, or unexpected death of a loved one.
Additionally, first responders tend to develop post-traumatic stress disorder because their job is to respond to events that are inherently traumatic in nature such as fires, extreme tragedies, or terrorist activity.
So how can cannabis help with post-traumatic stress disorder? Well, we know that the endocannabinoid system helps to regulate our appetite, our immune system, sleep, and memory formation. Cannabis can help your body sleep better and it can also help ‘sort’ through memories that you have formed in order to be able to rest peacefully within your body, calming anxiety and to remain sleeping throughout the night.
THC is the cannabinoid that was discovered by Raphael Mechoulam. He originally researched the cannabinoid and linked it’s usage in aiding those suffering with PTSD. THC works well for most people at night to help them calm their mind and body.
But, what do people need during the daytime when they have children to take care of, when they have work to go to?
Even children have post-traumatic stress disorder and may need help getting their bodies back on track.
Cannabis with CBD with very low amounts of THC, as well as CBDA, and THCA can be used to also help the endocannabinoid system regulate itself. Regulating your body can help you feel more grounded. During the daytime, when you need greater attention and focus, taking cannabis with cannabinoids such as CBD, THCA and CBDA aid the body in calming itself more effectively. Therefore, the body functions and performs better throughout the day.
I have worked for over 25 years as a mental health clinician. As neuroscience has evolved, there are more skills and tools that therapists have been trained to teach to you. These skills can be extremely helpful if you or someone you love is struggling with post-traumatic stress.
These skills and tools need to be applied alongside any dosage of cannabis.
Cannabis is amazing for helping people, however, if you are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, cannabis is not a fix all solutions. The combination of life training and therapy training tools along with cannabis can help you take charge of your life.