It’s no secret that many of today’s vets discuss PTSD. Today the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed an amendment that will finally allow Veterans Affairs physicians to discuss medical marijuana with their patients in accordance with state law.
These researchers found that under stress, levels of endocannabinoids in the brain dropped significantly. When introduced to cannabis, the levels of endocannabinoids increased and the animal test subjects began to show signs of relieved stress.
In another study by researchers from New Mexico (the first state to legalize medical marijuana), they found a 75% reduction in PTSD symptoms when sufferers used cannabis. “The results indicated that patients in the sample reported an average of 75 percent reduction in all three areas of PTSD symptoms while using cannabis, yet further research is still called for by the researchers,” source: Science Daily .
The endocannabiniod system in our body is made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are responsible for extinguishing traumatic and fearful memories. So when your CB1 receptors are functioning normally, you are desensitized to the fearful or traumatic event. But when the CB1 receptors don’t function properly to diminish the impact of these types of events, PTSD, anxiety and depression can result.
Let’s hope Veterans Affairs physicians will realize that CBD and cannabis is a fantastic treatment option for PTSD, and make their patients aware of this.