Poll Using Medical Marijuana For Ptsd

[Adrian2016]

I am a long term user since I was 10. This coincides directly with the beginning of my trauma. I do not think this is a coincidence. I was recently diagnosed and have not seen my primary doctor for medication yet. So far I am opting towards an antidepressant and handling the insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, and hypervigilance with Medical Marijuana as PTSD is a legal qaulifying condition in my state. How many of you are using a similar strategy or find Medical Cannabis useful for treatment?

 

[formicism]

Medical weed is useful to me in that it can help disrupt my thought patterns when I'm beset with conditioned-response type anxieties, but I've found that some strains are also useful for emotional (and intellectual) post-processing. It also works for me by inducing tiredness and suppressing nightmares, and during the day, calming down the hyper-vigilance. The sleep quality is not as good as unstoned untraumatized sleep might be, but in this case it ensures that I sleep and stay asleep, which is imo far better than tossing and turning for hours, only to wake up with cold sweats (rinse, repeat).

 

[Whyteferret]

I find that I sleep much better on nights I'm having nightmares that wake me up. If I take marijuana, I go back to sleep faster and do t have anymore nightmares. And no "hangover" feeling I have with other medications.

I can't use it during the day because it makes me too tired.

It also helps with migraine that don't response to the Maxalt after maximum dosage allowed. I think because it makes me sleep which is what I need. And maybe it helps with the pain.

 

[mary1979]

Is there a difference between 'medical marijuana' and just getting bent?

I went through a plethora of meds in am attempt to combat symptoms early on.
Side effect after side effect slowly wrote each one off (most caused more sexual issues, something I was trying to work on. And ALL made me a zombie, dangerous given I was alone with 2 toddlers)

Eventually my psych threw his hands in the air and said 'have you ever smoked weed?'
I had not, at 19 id been a Mum for 3 years so had never had time to develop drug problems.
But my kids Dad did.
So I joined him.

Wow did it work! I slept better, ate better and had patience for my littlies again. My anxiety reached a point that my cbt techniques were finally effective and the black depression id had for almost 10 years was forgotten.
Finally I was the relaxed chilled out person I so badly wanted to be.

I stopped smoking around 4 years ago.
Unfortunately alcohol had taken its place and I no longer desired it.
HUGE mistake with hindsight, firstly I should never have allowed my smoking habit to continue so long, as it just became a crutch during my tumultuous relationship.

And then I replaced my crutch with an even more dangerous one.
Its the kind of thing that can be useful definitely, but just like prescription meds it cant be a forever thing.
Like all drugs, it will bite you eventually.

 

[Adrian2016]

I really appreciate everyone coming out of the woodwork and answering!! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one using cannibis medicinally for PTSD. I agree and relate to everything you guys said. My biggest help from mmj is the changing it does to your perceptions. Sometimes with my ptsd the hardest thing is to step away and look at whats going on with a clean mind, rather than my own distorted mind that is not functioning properly....I hope you all get to medicate happily I believe in the healing powers of medical cannabis and I think we all agree that life with ptsd would be much less manageable without this wonderful substance..

 

[Adrian2016]

Also I have a question...today my doc perscribed me to Paxil and Vistaril for my PTSD symptoms. Unfortunately I do not think that Medical Cannibis will be able to treat my condition on its own, at least not until I can function more properly and get back to living life a little more...anywho, has anyone on the forum who treats with MMJ had any negative drug interactions while on SSRI or vistaril? Thanks all and be blessed

 

[Crow]

I would use cannabis oil in a second if it were legal in my state and if I wouldn't lose my job by using it.

 

[Adrian2016]

Is there a difference between 'medical marijuana' and just getting bent?

I went through a plethora o...

I must respectively disagree with your opinion but that's only because my experience has been different. I have used mmj for past 10 years...past 4 years legally, with no long term consequences or serious bad side effects. Really, only side effects I have experienced is anxiety when taken too high a dose. This quickly tapers off and relaxation follows. Just my experience though and I'm glad that you shared yours despite our different views on this.

 

[Adrian2016]

I would use cannabis oil in a second if it were legal in my state and if I wouldn't lose my job by...

Amen. I live in a medical state with PTSD as a qaulifying condition. I always feel deeply for those that can't legally or safely access medicine that they need. It is to me a outrage. Getting stoned for the purpose of laughing with friends at stupid televison shows or to go out on a night of drinking or partying is much different than someone who uses in moderation for symptomatic relief of a serious ailment that they cant find or match otherwise. Hopefully our politician's will wake up soon. Hang in there friend.

 

[DreamLover]

I relied heavily on weed for many years but have since become sober. I can only speak for myself, but I found that I was using it to numb my feelings rather than sit with and process them. I know it helps many people, though, and definitely think it's the least destructive substance out there.

 

[Lopezwhere'sthefire]

It turns down my hypervigilance when winding down at night so I can go to sleep. Otherwise, I need to drink a lot. Now that i'm getting medication from a P for my condition, It's getting easier. MJ is legal in my state, so I don't know if obtaining a "medical" certification is necessary or better in any way. Who knows.

 

[ladee]

I use it to lessen the anxiety. Not every day, and always at night. I sleep better, am more rested when I wake up. I do not have access to legal mmj, but would ask my Dr in a heartbeat if it were. I am not afraid of consequences of using an illegal drug. I use it in my home, do not use if for entertainment purposes and to me it is medicine... The legal Klonopin I was using was driving me further into the rabbit hole.. I can do that on my own with out meds that are 'supposed' to help me. If someone in my private life asked me, depending on who it was, I would not hesitate to say yes... I know who would purse their lips with judgement, but then I don't generally talk about real life with them anyway...
I have PTSD, I have had it my entire life. No breaks, no time off... so if this is something that helps me... and I am responsible with it... then I don't care what others think....