Marijuana For PTSD Treatment
On September 1, 2017, the New York Times published a letter by former Marine sergeant Thomas James Brennan that supported medicinal marijuana use. Brennan used his personal history with Traumatic Brain Injury to make his point. The medication he was initially given was a mix of prescription opioids and antidepressants. They briefly numbed him, but never fully relieved all his symptoms. Then they stopped working altogether, a signal that his body had become tolerant of the prescribed doses. He faced a choice of getting higher doses of dangerous and addictive medicine — or looking for another option.
A 9-year veteran who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Brennan was wounded from an explosion while in Afghanistan. His days of fighting the Taliban were over, but not the injuries that threatened to destroy his life back home. It wasn’t until he used marijuana in cigarette form that he began to experience real relief from his continued migraines, insomnia and depression. He was then lucky enough to find a private doctor that was willing to treat his TBI with medical cannabis.
Yet Brennan still had a problem. He lives in North Carolina, a state that criminalizes marijuana use in any form.
Brennan also suffered from PTSD. The rate of suicides among veterans of our wars in the Middle East is much higher than in the civilian population, and many can be traced to PTSD and TBI. Brennan documented his visit to a VA hospital after a suicide attempt in another editorial in 2013. The staff gave him a cocktail of drugs which made him foggy, sleepy and disoriented for 21 days. When he was released, he was not much better off than when he was admitted. Nor did his medication change.
Veteran groups nationwide, including the American Legion, now advocate the use of medical marijuana to treat PTSD. Not only does marijuana help with nightmares, insomnia and physical pain, studies have shown it affects memory and can alleviate the intensity of traumatic flashbacks.
There is some good news on the research front. As of April 2016, the DEA has approved a new study that focuses on how cannabis can relieve the symptoms of PTSD.
The benefits of cannabis in pain management has gained traction in the public consciousness, thanks to Brennan and groups like the American Legion.
We have more on our site if you’re interested in further information on medical marijuana and PTSD. And you can always sign up for our email newsletter on our homepage. You can also check out our Facebook page and follow to stay updated on Pittsburgh medical marijuana. We’d be happy to answer any questions you or a loved one might have.
Janet Palucka
I thought your menu was suppose to be online, but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.
Zack Duncan
Sorry about that. I know you’ve found it by now, but here’s the link for anyone else who might be looking –> https://www.solevowellness.com/menu/
JERRY
HOW DO I BOOK A POINTMENT ON LINE
Zack Duncan
I know you’ve found this info by this point, but just in case for anyone else here is the link to new patient resources –> https://www.solevowellness.com/new-patients/
Jocelyn McDonald
Thanks for this great article; you had some great points about medical marijuana benefits. You mention that this product can help with PTSD, and helps with symptoms like nightmares, insomnia and physical pain. My dad is a war vet that struggles with severe PTSD, so I’ll be sure to share this advice with him, and maybe he’ll consider medical marijuana.
Jennifer Smith
PTSD is not a simple condition. It should be taken care of with knowledge and cannabis skills.
Karen Page
PTSD is not an easy condition. Thank you cannabis for helping me!
Zack Duncan
Great to hear!
Kevin Murphy
My niece has PTSD and I think cannabis can do wonders to relieve her attacks. Nice info here!
Zack Duncan
Thanks for coming by. Wishing all the best to you and your niece!
Athea Jo
medical cannabis has a really amazing healing power that can cure pains and anything.
Monique Perry
Thank you for sharing and spreading awareness! Cannabis is really indeed magical. As studies progress, it unfolds a lot
of possible uses and applications in science and medicine. I hope this could be the future treatment of a lot of diseases.