Poll Cannabis And Ptsd (symptoms)

[Woof]

Brief History:

I was locked up at age 14 and tossed in a pseudo Drug Rehab called Straight Inc January 21st. I was there for 3 years. Describing Straight Inc would take for ever to explain. So, if interested, please Google it.

I was put there for smoking pot essentially.

After 3 years of ritualized Mind Rape, I was back into the world. Fully believing I could change the world, when in fact I couldn't change a tire.

That was all 35 years ago.

Although new to this forum, I am not new to the efforts of combating PTSD. I have found that Cannabis all but DESTROYS most (if not all) of my symptoms.

I am not implying that Cannabis is for everyone....but when available, and I am capable of getting Cannabis. I am virtually Symptom Free. I realize my PTSD has not gone away...I get it. I understand my "problems" wont go away....but for 2 hours being Symptom Free and I am in my own home, I am not driving and the only thing I attack is my refrigerator...why not have a brief reprieve from my symptoms? (I should add I am 50 years old)

I do find it universally ironic that because of Cannabis I was tossed in a warehouse for 3 years (hence the PTSD) and the one immediate relief I get from the PTSD is from, Cannabis.

Thoughts?

 

[InsideAWord]

My mother smoked cannabis while she was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for breast cancer and it alleviated her symptoms. I live in Illinois and next year, medical cannabis will be legal. I think patients with PTSD qualify for medical cannabis. I will consider it. However, because I'm going into the education field, I don't think that that type of medication will be allowed for me to ingest.

 

[CVC]

Hey, Woof. Medical cannabis is a big part of how I cope with PTSD. I'm lucky to have a doctor who understands and supports it, too. It helps with my anxiety like nothing else I've tried (benzos, SSRIs), and without the disturbing side effects. It certainly helps me get to sleep at night (my insomnia can get really bad). It also helps me get in touch with my feelings (which I tend to dissociate) and to hold my scariest thoughts without shutting down--maybe because I can approach them from a calmer place. So, I see cannabis as both helping manage symptoms (anxiety, insomnia) AND as a tool for therapeutic growth (I can face, process, integrate traumatic memories and feelings more easily).

All that said... I do hope to one day be able to get off cannabis. I don't really appreciate the stigma attached. I don't appreciate being seen as a "pothead," as I think people tend to take me less seriously. I also hate feeling like I need it (or any substance, really). The illegality is an issue, too. Although I live somewhere where I can legally buy cannabis, I travel often, and that's a big problem for me (especially since anxiety and insomnia tend to ramp up when I'm away from home).

Anyways, thanks for bringing this up. I'd be very interested to hear other people's experiences with cannabis and PTSD, whether it was for "therapeutic" purposes or not. It frightens me to think about how many drugs we pump into our bodies in search of some mental peace, and I do think a lot of people might be able to get off some of these scary medications if they gave cannabis a try. I know that "natural" is not necessarily "safer," but from what I know, I really do think cannabis has fewer side effects and perhaps lower addiction potential than the pharmaceuticals (though this latter claim I think is more controversial).

 

[WillyKat]

I'm open to the idea using vitamin M again, but I'm just a bit skeptical about using it to relieve PTSD symptoms.

It's been a long time, but it seems like my symptoms went away while partaking of the herb, so I have no doubt about its positive effect. The problem would come with the ability to use it regularly. There's a legality factor, the smell factor, the availability, and cost. I wouldn't want to begin using it and then have to stop. That would seriously harsh my mellow if you know what I mean.

 

[CVC]

For those who live in areas where medical cannabis is an option: I should add that there are some new strains of cannabis that are high in CBD and low in THC (cannabis has dozens of cannabinoids--THC is just the most famous). These strains are interesting because they seem to have a calming effect, but without the "high" associated with THC. Something to consider!

 

[TwoDee2ThreeDee]

Did some in my younger year but it just made me sleep!

 

[Lost Pup]

Cannabis was, for me, a wonder drug for two things: sleep and dissociation. When I was dissociative, it just immediately brought down all sorts of internal barriers and I felt calm, comfortable and normal. Not to mention it put me to sleep very gently and with no hangover in the AM. But ... I really can't stand the burn of pot smoke and a good vaporizer is expensive and then there's the problem of getting an ID card, etc. Too much work, so I pretty much abstain.

 

[Dee Morris]

Wonder drug for me. 4 years ago I couldn't get out of bed most days. I was in constant pain physically and emotionally. Now I smoke fairly regularly despite the stigma because the alternative is 100 times worse. Since I added Cannabis I have found the strength to divorce my husband who was a detriment to my recovery. Meaning when I was sick, I was controllable... so he would sabotage my recovery every chance he got. I've lost 120 pounds and I'm about to graduate with my first college degree. AND... I earn mostly A's. I found relief from the physical pain and was able to implement a regular exercise routine. When I'm triggered, I can run a hot bath, turn on some soft music, light a candle and smoke a bowl. Then I just soak in the bath & meditate away the anxiety. When I can't focus, I can smoke a couple of hits and relax my mind enough to be able to focus. I don't feel "stoned" when I use it in that way. Just relaxed enough to be able to ignore the intrusive thoughts.

I have to admit that it makes me crazy that in order to find enough relief to live a productive, happy life that I have had to turn myself into a criminal. When the truth is that I am one of the most law abiding people I know. I feel bad if I do something as minor as jaywalking. Especially since the reason is so hypocritical. It's OK to drink alcohol, which is responsible for thousands of deaths from consumption every year. Not to mention the depressant effect. Yet, Cannabis is evil. Give me a break!

 

[CVC]

I don't feel "stoned" when I use it in that way. Just relaxed enough to be able to ignore the intrusive thoughts.

This is true for me, too. It's about finding the right dose so as to turn down the anxiety, and to turn up my ability to focus on the present--but without going so far as to get high.

It really sucks how cannabis is criminalized and stigmatized, especially considering all the research showing its high potential for therapeutic use (not just for PTSD and anxiety, but also for pain, cancer, etc. etc.). It also really sucks that doctors and therapists are not more educated!

 

[Dee Morris]

The ignorance about it is astounding. During one discussion about it on my Facebook, a person actually posted as evidence against legalizing marijuana a satire site called Weed MAKES you violent. I seriously laughed my butt off after my daughter chimes in and points out to her that she had used satire to support her argument.

 

[Vulnera_Sanentur]

I became addicted to pot while trying to use it to relieve mental health problems. To me, if you have a disorder like me that is commonly associated with drug dependence, this is a horrible idea. I had two, PTSD and BPD.

Due to my PTSD, marijuana induced psychotic symptoms and extreme paranoia that I still struggle with, and this was on top of my already very heightened paranoia. Bad experience all around. I just numbed everything out, so now I have even more work to do to heal :(

 

[Dee Morris]

Vulnera_Sanentur It's not the "right" fit for everyone. Just like certain pharmaceuticals might work best for one person and not another. There are a number of factors involved, the least of which is our response to pubic perception about the use of the drug. I had someone tell me I was "addicted" because I smoke almost every evening as part of my meditation time. Never mind the fact that if I were taking a pill, I'd be "using" every day. Yet it is somehow different because I've replaced a pill with a bowl of weed. If I were less secure in my own skin and sensitive to potential addiction, I might feel the same way. Only YOU know what works best for you and there is no one size fits all.