PTSD
Medical cannabis can provide a natural treatment for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), by helping with symptoms like sleep issues and nightmares.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops after a traumatic event. It causes extreme anxiety, mental flashbacks, or frequent nightmares that negatively impact sleep. Examples of causes might include a road accident, a negative childbirth experience or a violent assault. Research suggests around 33% of people who experience a trauma in their lives could later develop PTSD.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PTSD are highly personal, but might include flashbacks, disturbing mental images, nightmares or other sleep disturbances. It could also cause physical sensations like pain, sweating, nausea or trembling.
Treatments
Treatments for PTSD often depend on the cause of trauma, but may include a combination of talking therapies and prescription medications. A therapy called eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) can also help to recall and address trauma.
Studies show medical cannabis can help with PTSD-related symptoms such as sleep quality, frequency of nightmares, and PTSD hyperarousal, which is a form of extreme anxiety.
75%
In a 2014 study, PTSD patients saw an over 75% reduction in symptoms after medical cannabis treatments
65%
A 2023 review found over 65% of PTSD patients saw improvements in sleep quality/duration and decreased PTSD symptoms
72%
One study on patients with PTSD-related nightmare disorder found 72% experienced either no nightmares, or reduced nightmare frequency/severity
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Word from our expert
Dr Sunil Arora Chief Medical Officer
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can cause a range of distressing symptoms, including anxiety, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances.
Medical cannabis may help alleviate these symptoms by reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, and improving sleep quality. In particular, cannabis can reduce the amount of REM sleep, which is often disrupted in people with PTSD, leading to a more restful night’s sleep.
In one study, patients using medical cannabis were found to be 2.5 times more likely to recover from PTSD symptoms compared to those not using cannabis.
In our experience, cannabis offers relief for those struggling with the emotional and physical effects of trauma, providing a natural alternative to traditional treatments.
We work closely with patients to tailor a cannabis treatment plan that supports their mental and emotional well-being.
At Emerald, our team of experts can help you explore medical cannabis treatments for PTSD that work for you, providing you with a safe, natural option to restore balance in your life.
