Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person has experienced a terrifying event that caused mental or physical harm. Lasting effects from the event can manifest themselves in anxiety, panic attacks, fear, helplessness, and horror. Some examples that may cause someone to develop PTSD include sexual or physical assault, war, natural disasters, death of a loved one, or working as an emergency response worker. Certain triggers, like sights, smells, sounds, or thoughts, can remind someone of the event and bring about these effects. While there are many treatment options out there, medical marijuana for PTSD is perhaps the most natural.

PTSD Treatment

If left untreated, PTSD symptoms can interfere with a person’s daily life and cause additional, emotional harm. For years, the main form of treatment for this condition was therapy and an assortment of strong prescription medications. As of lately though, research has proven that, for PTSD, medical marijuana can prove effective, too.

One study was conducted about how marijuana interacts with the amygdala in our brains. The amygdala is responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response, and research concluded that marijuana lowered the amount of fear felt in patients during situations designed to trigger anxiety. 
Another recent study also yielded positive results from treating PTSD with medical marijuana. It found that marijuana can help a person with ‘extinction learning’, a term that describes helping someone let go of triggers associated with painful memories. Marijuana may help a person reform them, allowing them to move on from the trauma.

Medical Marijuana for PTSD

The world of marijuana can seem intimidating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with it. But don’t let that overwhelm you – marijuana for PTSD is an innocuous option that you should consider, especially if you’re wary of prescription drugs. Prescription drugs can cause physical dependence, addiction, and can have serious and adverse reactions that could hurt your overall health. 

Marijuana may relieve anxiety, tension, and stress in users. It has been used by war veterans to combat their own fearful thoughts induced by PTSD for many years – only now is it gaining mainstream recognition.

A Natural Solution

Marijuana has been scientifically proven to positively treat harmful symptoms of PTSD. It can enhance extinction learning and reduce overall anxiety, as well as lower our fear tied to our ‘fight or flight’ responses.

Living with PTSD can be a constant and exhausting battle in and of itself. Don’t let it consume your whole life. In addition to using medical marijuana to reduce PTSD side effects, it’s recommended to also incorporate long-term coping mechanisms, such as behavioral therapy to manage your emotions. 

PTSD is one of both Arkansas’ and Missouri’s qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card, and it is frequently used for certification in Oklahoma as well. If you suffer from PTSD and would like to apply for a medical marijuana card in one of these states, talk to an expert at Ozark MMJ Cards today!