For some individuals, medical marijuana may help with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but its effectiveness can vary. Anecdotal evidence based on patient and clinician feedback indicates it can be an effective addition when treating PTSD if patients are under the guidance of a medical marijuana physician.

In this article, we’ll explore research that’s been done to show the effectiveness of using medical marijuana to treat PTSD as well as pros and cons for patients and the most popular ways patients have chosen to consume the products.

What the Research Says

• Potential Benefits:
  
  • Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that medical marijuana can help:
    
    • • Reduce anxiety and hyperarousal
    • • Improve sleep (especially regarding nightmares)
    • • Dampen intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
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  • Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in mood regulation, memory, and stress response.
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• Clinical Evidence:
  
  • • A 2021 study published in PLOS ONE found that cannabis users with PTSD reported greater reductions in symptom severity than non-users.
  • • In another study published in 2021, effects of cannabis on PTSD along with impact on quality of life and return to work were investigated. The study showed a reduction in symptoms of PTSD from most subjects.
  • • In 2021, the first FDA-regulated study on the benefits of smoked cannabis yielded favorable results. 
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Potential Risks and Considerations 

• • Worsening symptoms: In some individuals, cannabis can increase anxiety, paranoia, or dissociation. Work with your medical marijuana doctor to ensure the most positive outcome.
• • Dependency: Regular use, especially high-THC strains, may lead to cannabis use disorder in some people. Your doctor can help you avoid overuse and explore the value of taking a tolerance break.
• • Cognitive effects: Long-term use with no tolerance breaks in some recreational users has been reported to affect memory and concentration.
• • Not a cure: Cannabis may alleviate symptoms but does not treat the root cause of PTSD. Medical marijuana for use in treatment of PTSD is most effective when combined with other treatments and under the supervision of a doctor.

To help you avoid negative effects, start with a low dose and titrate up to the most effective level. Go slow in increasing the dose and work with your medical marijuana doctor to find the best dose for you.

Legal and Medical Access

In the U.S., many states list PTSD as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, but access and guidelines vary. In Louisiana, PTSD or any condition your physician feels can be helped with medical marijuana is an approved condition.

If you are active duty military, you should be aware that marijuana of any sort is not allowed to be consumed or to even have in your possession on military properties. However, military veterans are not only legally allowed to consume medical marijuana, they can even discuss their use with their VA doctor so he can be fully informed concerning their treatment. Further, state employees in Louisiana are offered certain job protections if they are using medical marijuana to treat an intractable condition provided it is under the direction of a physician,  their job is not safety sensitive such as an equipment operator, and they do not consume medical marijuana products while on the job or job premises. 

A licensed provider must typically recommend it, and follow-up care is important. Contact The Healing Clinics to get started. Our physicians and specialists will walk with you during every step of your healing journey with medical marijuana.

Alternatives and Complementary Treatments

• First-line therapies for PTSD usually include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Prolonged Exposure Therapy

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

• Medications like SSRIs

Summary

Medical marijuana may help relieve certain PTSD symptoms, particularly anxiety and insomnia, for some individuals. But patients report that it’s most effective when used with other therapies and under the guidance of a medical marijuana doctor. Anyone considering it should consult a medical professional, ideally one familiar with trauma and cannabis treatment.

The medical marijuana doctors and cannabis specialists at The Healing Clinics are ready to help you get started. Click the button below to take the first step!