You would likely be willing to try anything to relieve your discomfort if you lived in a constant state of debilitating fear and anxiety – especially when you were safe. People fighting the ravages of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will often tell you that the medication they are taking for PTSD treatment, does not work or does not provide an adequate amount of relief – but medical marijuana does.
What is PTSD?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health approximately 7.7 million Americans suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which is the feeling of being stressed or in danger when one is no longer in danger. PTSD is most widely associated with war veterans but can include anyone who has suffered a significant trauma such as rape, abuse, surviving a natural disaster, being in a terrifying accident, torture or kidnapping. PTSD occurs in people of all ages and walks of life. For the sake of this post, we refer to PTSD as it relates to adults.
PTSD is characterized in adults by fear, anxiousness, night terrors, night sweats, night crying, rapid heartbeat, flashback, scary thoughts, guilt, depression, emotional numbness, emotional outburst, rage, social disassociation and being easily startled. In the research I have read, PTSD has been linked to inflammation in the brain as well as a misfiring or under/over production of different brain chemicals that affect one’s ability to let go of traumatic memories. While PTSD is generally considered an anxiety disorder, I hypothesize that it is also closely associated with adrenal exhaustion.
Adrenal exhaustion occurs when the “fight or flight” response is constantly engaged. This response is in large part controlled by the tiny little adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys. The hormones they produce are intended to help the body manage stressful situations. When the hormones they produce are depleted, other hormones produced in the body and brain try to support the adrenals by doing the job adrenaline was supposed to do. Over time if the body is unable to rest and recharge. The adrenal glands become exhausted. And so will the other supporting hormones from the pituitary, hypothalamus and the thyroid glands. An imbalance in brain chemistry will result simultaneously. That ultimately leads to a variety of symptoms including fatigue, headaches, heart palpitations, addiction, weight gain or loss, poor immunity, lack of quality sleep, physical pain, depression and more. For more information about adrenal exhaustion visit http://www.adrenalfatigue.org.
Cannabis for PTSD Treatment
The use of cannabis for PTSD treatment has been and continues to be hotly debated. Like all areas of cannabis research, we have more anecdotal evidence than scientific evidence. However, the knowledge we do have clearly indicates that there is a key role for cannabis to play in PTSD treatment as outlined in the late Dr. Tod Mikuriya’s article from O’Shaughnessy’s Spring 2006 issues.
The father of cannabis science, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam. gives a clinical explanation, on the Veterans for Medical Marijuana website, of why and how cannabis may work in the brains of PTSD suffers and the potential for healing PTSD with cannabis.
One of the points he makes is that cannabis works with our own endocannabinoid system to bring homeostatis or balance back to the mind and body. The endocannabiniod system (internal system that produces compounds that mimic those in the marijuana plant) is an intricate system present throughout the entire human body and brain that helps regulate every major physiological function including the regulation of pain, temperature control, memory and inflammation. When something goes wrong in the body our endocannabinoid system goes to work to try to right the wrong and bring the body back into balance.
In the case of PTSD, the endocannabinoid system which usually helps us forget or deal with painful memories, is somehow overloaded and unable to do that. Because the patient is unable to get space from their trauma, they are unable to relax and interact normally releasing a cascade of detrimental stress chemicals in the body. Medical cannabis helps modulate these memories and stimuli enough that the patient can make sense of the memories, begin to integrate them in a healthier and more emotionally sustainable way, and relax the body enough to begin the healing process.
While cannabis may not work for everyone with PTSD, it deserves serious consideration as a piece of an integrated PTSD treatment including counseling, meditation, exercise, diet, nutritional supplementation and cannabis. The problems associated with PTSD are as unique as the individuals who suffer from it. Cannabis for PTSD treatment is not a one-size-fits all, but no treatment is.
While the VA doctors are prohibited from writing medical marijuana prescriptions in medical marijuana states, the VA will not deny care for a veteran who is using medical marijuana. For many veterans the cost of going outside of their VA doctor is prohibitive. And for those living in non-medical cannabis states, they resort to buying it in the black market or trying to grow their own.
One Veteran’s Story of PTSD Treatment
I continue to be amazed by the stories war veterans share with me about cannabis. Many have told me it has been the most effective part of their PTSD treatment. The most compelling story I have heard to date is that of cannabis activist Clif Deuvall, who was severely wounded in Vietnam. He lost one eye and sustained other serious injuries to his skull. Over time, the pain from these injuries took over Clif’s life. From 1975-2005 he took heavy opiate drugs. Eventually, they were not enough. In 2005 they changed his prescription to Methadone (a very nasty drug). That same year, he was declared 100% disable.
The result was a different kind of pain. Clif will tell you that he became a shell of a human being as a result of methadone. He felt drugged all the time and spent large amounts of time bedridden and unable to function. To be clinically correct, Clif has all of the symptoms of PTSD but has not been officially diagnosed. His diagnosis is for neurological and intractable pain which makes it possible for the PTSD issues to be wrapped into his treatment.
Clif wanted his life back. After researching alternative treatments he discovered that cannabis was an effective substitute to methadone. He decided to give it a try. The effects were felt immediately as his pain levels were much better managed, he was able to spend time with his family again, and he no longer needed the methadone that took his quality of life.
Realizing just how well his new treatment was working for him, Clif approached his doctors at the VA about the use of cannabis as medicine. They all agreed that cannabis was the best medicine for his injuries, but since it is illegal to possess they could not prescribe it to him and were not supposed to recommend he consume it. It is important to note that when Clif began his cannabis regimen he had many lesions on his brain. Those lesions have steadily been shrinking with the continued use of cannabis. Yet, it was (and still is) his doctor’s responsibility to steer him in another direction.
The Benefits of Cannabis for PTSD
Clif’s story is one of millions that linger in the shadows diagnosed and undiagnosed. Veterans and other PTSD sufferers have shared that cannabis has made it possible for them to function in their daily lives, manage pain and control their depression as well as help manage rage, anxiety and sleeplessness. It is possible that the greatest benefit that cannabis provides PTSD sufferers is much needed peaceful sleep.
Dr. Mechoulam writes in his post on the Veteran for Medical Marijuana page:
So what should all this mean to the individual? Anecdotal evidence says by and large the use of therapeutic cannabis provides a significant improvement in quality of life both for those suffering from this malady and for their family and friends. Whether or not this is taking the fullest advantage possible of the eCB system in the treatment of PTSD is yet to be seen. Mostly the use of cannabis and THC to treat PTSD in humans appears to provide symptomological relief at best. In and of itself, there is nothing wrong with symptomological relief. That’s what taking aspirin for a headache, a diuretic for high blood pressure, opiates to control severe pain, or olanzapine for rapid-cycling mania is all about. We do have the potential, however, to do better than just treating symptoms of PTSD via activation of the cannabinoid receptors. With the right combination of extinction/habituation therapy and the judicious administration of a FAAH inhibitor like KDS-4103 we have the potential to actually cure many cases of PTSD. For the time being though, symptomological treatments are all we have for more generalized anxiety and depression disorders.
Veteran’s Deserve Better
According to an old article in the National Institute of Health’s magazine MedLine Plus returning veterans suffer from PTSD as follows: Vietnam 31%, Gulf War 10%, Afghanistan 11%, and Iraq 20%. It is morally reprehensible to me that the people who serve this country – and are willing to die for it – are not receiving better diagnosis and treatment for the very real condition of PTSD. And, for that matter, they should be receiving better health care period! How is it possible that it is ok to send someone to war but not provide them the BEST mental, physical and emotional care possible when they return affected by their experience? And, do so quickly and swiftly. We can do better! At the very least our government should be researching how cannabis could work as a PTSD treatment!
NOTES:
This post was inspired by a conversation with the veteran who wrote this article http://soldiersforthecause.org/2012/02/07/treating-ptsd-with-marijuana/. Thank you Karol for your help!
To connect with Clif Deuvall visit www.normlwacoinc.org. Clif is the founder of NORML Waco in Waco, Texas. Thank you, Clif, for allowing us to share your story. We are also grateful for all you do to educate people about cannabis and change cannabis laws.
www.mychronicrelief.com is a website dedicated to providing credible information about cannabis for the terminally and chronically ill.
Hemp Share says
Actually, ALL Americans have PTSD.
Media #ScriptNosis prepares the mind, then events like 9-11, Sandy Hook, Columbine, Aurora, Boston Bombing combine to subconsciously program the trauma with the vivid images portrayed in mass-media.
The after-effect is Post-Traumatic.
“Short-term memory loss” is in effect the mind’s ability to suppress adverse memories. Perhaps more than the adverse is lost temporarily, studies validate there is NO long-term threat.
With the adverse memories out of mind, the mind is free to function, even delve deeper into Critical Thought.
This is also why the Medicine is so effective for Crohn’s Disease sufferers. One of the symptoms of Crohn’s Disease is DEPRESSION. Once the body is depleted of nutrients the mind begins to fade away and become DEPRESSED about the pain, swelling, bloating, diarrhea, bathroom social anxiety, food anxiety etc.
Suppression of these feelings AND Appetite Stimulation (“munchies”) allow the body to gain some traction to recover some holistic capacity to fight the symptoms.
For example.
admin says
Thanks Hempshare for your comment. Good to see you here! That is an interesting idea to say that all American have PTSD. I have never considered that. We have talked to so many people who have found cannabis to be helpful for their PTSD and their Crohn’s. Did you see our post https://mychronicrelief.com/cannabis-for-crohns-disease/ about the recent research study that had 5 of 11 patients achieve remission of Crohn’s?
m argaret senecal says
does cannabis oil produce a positive urine test.
admin says
In most cases, yes. There are some cannabis oil preparations where manufacturers claim there are no cannabinoids. In this case, it may not show up in a drug test. Outside of that, you can assume you will get a positive test result.
admin says
Yes!
Doc says
After doing some reading today, I felt the need and want to share this from my own life experience. This includes good, bad, and possibly illegal(in some states):
A quick background: I am a three time combat veteran with severe PTSD(Bosnia/Macedonia, and twice to Iraq). I also have numerous medical issues, but the worst are TBI(traumatic brain injury), sclerotic damage in my L4(scarring from breaking my back that pushes against the dural sac, which causes severe pain), nerve damage to three other sections in my back, and my right hip has cracks and bone spurs throughout. I started showing signs of PTSD in 2003-2004. As for the physical side, I have been in severe pain since June 2008. This is what I would consider chronic symptoms of pain and mental problems.
After so long in pain, sleep deprived, and being just a shell of the man I used to be, I just couldn’t take it any more. My “medical cocktail” included lortab, vicodin, flexeril, a few triptans, tramadol, toridol, promethazine, ritalin, prozac, ambien, lunesta, depacote, prazosine, sertraline, lithium, valium, gabapentin, and many more that I can’t remember the names of. These prescribed meds escalated the rate of my medical and mental decline. My stomach got so bad from all these medications, that I usually couldn’t even eat with using promethazine. All this also led to a failed suicide attempt(thank God a friend was able to stop me).
Now this leads me to my marijuana use(I will not condone it, but I also will not judge those that use it). Another vet light a joint and handed it to me, and said “Don’t smoke it to get stoned, smoke it to get calm.” I now smoke weed in small amounts almost every day. It helps me keep my head clear and focused, and it helps lessen the anger and anxiety(including stress from the constant pain). It does help a little with the pain itself, but more on the mental side for me. Three to five times a day I take a single hit of weed just to keep my nerves down. In the evenings, I smoke a few hits to help with my appetite and sleep.
Now to explain why it helps in my case. Marijuana is a very effective anti-anxiety medication, and PTSD is typically high anxiety. Taking a single hit at a time is just enough to keep myself in check. My concentration is exceptional considering the conditions. Smoking excessively can cause an increase in appetite, and make you tired, that’s why I have more in the evenings…. Without, I go for days at a time without food or sleep. That’s why I use both ways at different times. I have actually written notes over the last year that I’ve been doing this. Everybody is different, but I figured out a “dosing” that helps for me, but doesn’t leave me stoned. I guess getting stoned every now and then wouldn’t hurt, but it freaks me out a little. I don’t smoke that much.
My down-fall: I even have to hide this from my wife. Even though it is legal in some places, there is still an enormous stigma surrounding it. This stigma almost cost my marriage. My wife loved the improvements I had been making: happier, less problems with pain, more relaxed, able to work for longer, able to concentrate, less headaches, able to read, play guitar again, and so many more things that I had became unable to do….. Then she found out how I was making progress. Her first step was to call the police, then she asked for a divorce and told me I’d never see my son again.
Things have since cooled down with the wife…. I’m back to hiding my weed from the wife, and making progress(but now she has that “if I don’t see it, then I’m happy” attitude). I am also actually able to take care of myself now for the first time in a couple years. I can stand the pain long enough to cook dinner, do laundry, and even getting dressed on my own(can’t always reach to get my socks on, but working at it). I am still disabled, but my life has improved a lot. I found something that helps me with the cause, not just treating the symptoms.
Improvements since I started smoking: Tolerate daily chronic pain better, take care of myself again(mostly), sleep 4+ hours a night(REM), calmer mood with less anger, eat at least twice a day, I can concentrate long enough to read 10-15+ pages(1-2 pages was hard before), less stress, less migraines(ER visits 2-4 a month now down to 1 every 3-4 months), able to be with a small group of people, and able to really spend time with my family. These may seem trivial to some, but for chronic pain and severe PTSD these are large steps in the healing process.
The negatives from smoking weed: Hiding it from my wife, and the smell of bong water.
SSG Rob – Retired Army Veteran.
admin says
Dear SSG Rob, Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry for your suffering – all of it. You deserve better. The most heartbreaking part of your story is the lack of support and understanding from your spouse. You obviously benefit greatly from cannabis. One of our primary goals at Chronic Relief is to help caretakers understand how their loved one can benefit from cannabis and its medical efficacy and safety.
A few questions: What is her reasoning for being so adamantly opposed to something that helps you so much? Is it simply that it is illegal? Or does she not understand how safe it is? Have you considered using a vaporizer instead of a bong?
Thank you again for your input!
SSG James says
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It in many ways sounds like mine. I too am 100 per cent service connected disabled Veteran. Although I still have not tried using Marijuana to treat my PTSD, severe pain in the L3 L4 and L5 area, I also suffer a severe form of lack of sleep and lower desire to eat along with a few other problems (COPD) etc…..Your story does offer a glimmer of hope for thousands of other Vets who served our country and do not get the relief we need.
Hopefully one day soon, the Federal Government will wake up and realize they owe us at least the chance to get better by allowing research on medical Marijuana instead of wanting to block the much needed research and keep it at a Sched. 1 drug. Seems that this research could potentially be a large benifit to thousands of vets and their families by offering them a chance to get part of their life back and quality time with family.
I truly am happy you found a way to help treat yourself that works for you. Maybe one day, the VA and the rest of the Feds will listen to your story and realize the injustice they are doing to all Vets across the country and have a change of heart. Thank you for your service and thank you for your bravery in coming forward and telling everyone that will listen your experience.
jewell says
i have just been diagnosed after 20 yrs with ptsd, depression and anxiety, would this be a good choice for me and how would you even bring it up? the dr i am seeing keeps giving me prescriptions for zoloft, whic i refuse to take.
admin says
Jewell,
Potentially this could be a good solution for you. If you live in a medical state, just simply bring it up with your doctor. If you don’t live in a medical state, perhaps ask him/her what they know about cannabis and if you lived in a medical state if he would recommend it. Each doctor will have their own opinion and information on the subject. Another suggestion would be to take some medical cannabis information to them that is scientific and in their field. http://theanswerpage.com/library.php might be a good resource for you.
Eliza says
I am a 56 yr old female and I am so glad part of the world is waking up to the benefits of this natural herb that’s been around for over 6000 yrs! Last year my doctor said she was going to recommend me for medical marijuana but has snice left the parctice and left me with less than quality care. At first I was septical about cannabis treatment but I started doing the research and I am so excited. Nothing they have given is working and is extremely dangerous. I am on morphine, oxycodone, gabapentin, robaxin, xanax, qnd a plethora of psych drugs that areally awful and make me feel dead inside. I hAve no quality of lif. I don’tdance, socialize, read, meditate, do my tai chi or aNY of my artistic endevors anymore. I fall all the time, hAve dpastiche uncontrolable arm and legs mocements and every kindividual of pa in your can list. I suffer from extreme PTSD, dibilitating muscle spasms and cramping in my arms, hands, back, legs and feet, fibromyalgia, cervical and Lumbar stenosis, nerve damage, arthritis in my back, hips and shoulders, horrible anxiety, chronic insomnia and I have developed “nodes” on my lungs. I was abused as a child and adult that put me in the hospital numerous times, I’ve been raped twice, molested as a child, and had some other very serious extremely shocking frightening and long lasting tramatic experiences that have left me paralyzed with fear and isolated from friends and the public. The pain in my body is like being trapped in hell. My doctors have reconstructed my neck with 3 titanium plates that did nothing for the pain and nerve damage. Although the opiate therapy gave me back part of my life they are SO dangerous, cause terrible constipation and do nothing for the PTSD and other things. So now some new doctor is paranoid about giving me the opiates (which I understand) so she is going to take me off of them starting next month by reducing the dosage each month. This leaves me back in a hell that just daily, hourly makes me want to die and I have no one! My fiance passed away last year. He helped me with EVERYTHING from dressing, to bathing, cooking, cleaning, shopping, getting out of bed and so on. I am in total fear. The doctors treating me just do not understand that by removing me from the therapy with no other alternatives condemn me back again to a living hell with NO support AT ALL! I watch Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s (sp?) documentary on cannabis therapy and was amazed! My state is currently getting ready to open dispensaries late this year. I have an appointment with the doctor that will qualify me to get help from cannabis treatment and I am so relieved! My reason for posting this is that in the 90’s the pain from all some of those issues started affecting me but I experienced much more after 2001. But in the 90’s I was also dealing with horrible PMS or PMDD. I had a prolapse uterus and endometriosis on top of that. My boyfriend at the time could not bare seeing me in pain and went to procure some cannabis. Reluctantly I tried it and I was in awe!! To say the least!! It took care of every issue and gave me back my life! Unfortunately it being illegal made me too afraid to use it with any frequency so in those really bad times I would take one or two hits 2 times a day. I was still in pain but it was bearable. So I just know this is a miracle that it is becoming open and legal. I feel so deeply for the veterans that suffer so badly, children with diesel that this therapy could do away with, cancer suffers, people like me, any person that this little PLANT, nature’s medicine, could help, could do away with all the horrible side affects and chemical damage to our bodies caused by some of these most insidious drugs the medical community and big business pharma is giving us today where the cure seems/is more harmful, damaging or deathly than the ailment itself!! I have never understood why marijuana has ever been illegal in the first place!! And alcohol, cigarettes and the disgusting products they put out there calling it food filled with poison!!! Florida in our water (among other dangerous chemicals) when we have a natural herb that relieves and even CURES a multitude of terribly common physical and mental and emotional problems!!! How does that even make sense that the the FDA would rush those foods and drugs and products so quickly through the red tape! Things that have literally killed people, addicted them and caused them to be violent and sicker! Yet this little medicinal miracle herb is in SO much opposition!!! It’s just down right INSANITY!!! I know, it’s all about the big bucks! Just ignorant, just rediculous, just down right evil!