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Treat PTSD With Medical Marijuana in Kentucky

Kentucky patients living with PTSD can now take control of their treatment by using medical marijuana for symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia and more. At Kentucky Marijuana Card, we believe that cannabis has the potential to provide the relief that you need to live a happy and fulfilling life while managing the negative impact of PTSD on the mind and body.

PTSD Is a Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana in Kentucky

The Kentucky Medical Board has determined that symptoms related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be treated with medical marijuana, and with good reason.

A recent study indicated that patients who use cannabis to treat their symptoms are 2.5 times more likely to no longer meet PTSD diagnosis criteria after one year. And a 2014 study indicated that patients experienced a 75 percent reduction in symptoms while using marijuana to treat their PTSD.

What Is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, often shortened to PTSD, is an anxiety disorder related to exposure to a trauma. People who suffer from this disorder frequently experience symptoms such as inability to sleep, irritability or bouts of anger or arousal, inability to concentrate, blackouts, extreme phobias, hallucinations, and more. The most severe symptoms include tragic extremes, like homicidal or suicidal ideation.

Who Gets PTSD?

Almost anyone who has lived through a scary or traumatic event can develop PTSD as a result of the trauma experienced. It is commonly observed in military veterans and those who have experienced assault, childhood abuse or physical abuse.

 

The factors determining whether they will develop PTSD are largely out of their control. Some people might develop PTSD as a result of directly experiencing or witnessing a trauma, such as an accident or injury, and others might develop Complex PTSD (or CPTSD) as a result of long-term abuse or neglect. ​

What Are the Treatments for PTSD?

The current treatments for PTSD include therapy and medications to reduce anxiety, but both have complications. Therapy may not offer the relief that a PTSD sufferer needs from physical symptoms, while traditional medications can only target the physical symptoms of PTSD, and often come with unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, lowered libido, and more.

 

Medical marijuana for PTSD has proven to be an effective treatment option that is well-tolerated, has minimal unwanted side-effects, and can help patients get their lives back instead of constantly living in a nightmare. Despite the fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs has been oppositional to sponsoring studies using cannabis as a treatment for PTSD in veterans, healthcare providers have been instructed to work with veterans who choose to use medical marijuana for symptom relief.

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How Could Medical Marijuana Help PTSD?

Studies all over the US and Canada have shown that medical marijuana can be a great solution for both the mental and physical symptoms of PTSD. The FDA has recently approved studies using medical marijuana for veterans with PTSD based on these findings. Because cannabinoid receptors are located in both the brain and throughout the body, the science shows that this treatment can help the following symptoms associated with PTSD:

  • Relieve anxiety and depression

  • Minimize hallucinations

  • Improve quality of sleep

  • Alleviate chronic pain

  • Reduce stress

  • Improve mood and focus

 

The relief that medical marijuana can offer to PTSD patients can also reduce the risk of substance abuse and self-medication, two big risks related to this disorder. Veterans given cannabis by the VA in 2014 were shown to lower their use of alcohol and recreational drugs. And because they sought their marijuana from a medical source, their doctors were able to ensure that they were smoking the correct strain of marijuana in its purest form. Overall, this practice has led to healthier patients in every study conducted.

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