PTSD and Marijuana: Healing the Past
PTSD, which is short for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that has real physical and psychological symptoms. People who suffer from this condition may feel hopeless, anxious or deal with recurrent bouts of insomnia. PTSD can affect soldiers returning from war, crime victims, those who’ve gone through natural disasters and even individuals who underwent childhood abuse. Without proper treatment, PTSD symptoms can get worse, affecting nearly every aspect of your life. While many prescriptions and medications are available to help treat the condition, it’s not uncommon for individuals suffering to turn to cannabis as a way to find relief.
What is PTSD?
PTSD can be triggered by any type of traumatic event. In most cases, it’s easy to pinpoint how the disorder started but, in some instances, the trauma is so deeply ingrained that it is difficult to figure out where it began. Post-traumatic stress disorder can be mild and manageable to severe and debilitating. Sights, sounds, smells and certain situations can trigger past memories of the incident. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to have night terrors or insomnia because of the negative thoughts and emotions they experience. Some of the more common symptoms related to the disorder include:
- Agitation and mood swings
- Night terrors
- Anxiety and depression
- Avoidance of certain people, places or situations
- Insomnia
- Self-harm
- Flashbacks
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Emotional detachment
Legally Obtaining
Many states are beginning to lift bans and regulations on marijuana use. This is great news for people who suffer from psychological conditions like PTSD. For sufferers, it makes sense to obtain your medical marijuana card online to save yourself time and the hassle of finding a reliable doctor. Rather than wait to be approved for weeks or months, you can get approval in just minutes. You will need this card in order to begin obtaining medical marijuana in Oklahoma.
As always, it is important to couple your marijuana use with conventional therapy. Treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy can be helpful for those who have an array of psychological-based conditions. However, in conjunction with traditional therapy, medical cannabis can be incredibly helpful in getting your life back. You will find that it lifts your mood, improves your quality of sleep and prevents aches and pains associated with the past trauma.
Finding Relief
While there are some prescription drugs that can help ease the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, many are finding successful relief with medical marijuana. Cannabis has the ability to calm and relax you, which can help to fight off the constant feelings of anxiety and depression. The cannabinoids found in marijuana are able to trigger and activate the endocannabinoid system. These cannabinoids are known as both THC and CBD, both of which have been found to be effective. When triggered, the endocannabinoid system can then produce more anandamides, which are chemicals responsible for regulating mood, anger, fear and happiness. Individuals with PTSD have lower levels of anandamides, so the use of cannabis can be helpful in improving overall mood and contentment.
