Medical Marijuana And PTSD

[bright_morning]

I just want to report back here and say that for now I am having great success with marijuana as medicine. I am finally over the hurdle of feeling weird about it, and am also getting used to dosage. Its a real blessing that I can get it for PTSD/anxiety/insomnia here where I live.

It took me a while to get used to the idea of using marijuana at all since there is a variety of opinions out there, but the more I settle into the peaceful reality of my life these days the more I am able to accept help from whence it arrives.

Last night I went on a date with my wife. I used a little beforehand and after the buzzy part settled out I had 4-5 hours of the most present, lucid, state I have had in 30 years. I was able to be in a public place watching Cirque Du Soleil and not be forced to completely dissociate just to participate. I don't quite understand how, but it really helps me to "un-dissociate", which is something I have real trouble with. The only drawback is sometimes that can be a little jarring for me as I actually being present is very, very new.

As I have stated before I don't think marijuana is a solution in itself, but I think it can be good for some of us as an adjunct to solid therapy. Its a godsend for me.

 

[Sveta]

I have a recommendation and I medicate a small amount as needed. I do not drive while I am medicated, much like the painkillers say not to (but people still do all the time and no threat to them). I follow the letter of the law because my husband is a soldier. I have a rec for my back, I was in three bad car accidents in my youth because my aunt and uncle would not let me practice driving, very controlling, and I was on my own at 18. That's when I first began using pot (I was a dutiful child even if they were cruel).

I probably abused it throughout my 20s and it is easy to do if you seem to have an infinite well of sadness to treat. I quit when my dh joined up, but after severe back pain, migraines and anxiety became debilitating, he encouraged me to get a rec. I tell my kids (who are older) that the medicine is a natural medicine that isn't legal in every state and not approved for children. The truth ( i cannot lie). They don't watch me, and they don't think anything different. After all, "American Weeds" is on the discovery channel now!

I think it is important to a) get medical grade, b) get support c) be safe. Medical grade will require less use and it is cleaner. You know which strain is which, it's not being smuggled over the border. You need support because you may not be able to operate large machinery or care for young children, especially if you are new. The effects last longer. You might also need someone to help you get it or grow your own and it is good if someone you trust monitors your use, especially at first. The safety goes for living while medicated, but also being very careful with this highly controversial medicine. You can't be sloppy or careless with your meds, ESP around children and in transit. I lock mine up always.

 

[BrokenToker]

It is a misconception that THC gives the energetic and sparkly Sativa effect, while CBD gives the more mellow, narcotic effect of the Indica strains. It is actually as of yet unknown why the two major strain-families differ so. It is believed that the terpenes that cause the flavor and aroma of specific strains may be responsible for the differing effects, Sativas having a more spicy/citrus/chemical terpene profile and Indicas generally possessing a more earthy/floral profile. There is much research being conducted on this very topic.

In actuality, the most CBD-rich strains on the market are all potent Sativas. Harlequin, ATF, Jamaican Lion, Soma A+, etc, are all pure Sativa or Sativa dominant strains. These are not very common, but it is very interesting that it is the Sativas that show the most potential for CBD.

Soo true, It annoys me as well when people say that. Almost all marijuana will have CBDa in it in some amount thou.. but far less concentrated then THCa. But im glad to see someone as educated as you here. Im curious what strains do you find most helpful for that anxiety associated with ptsd? Ive found "Primera Reserva's OG #18" to be great for "dream relief" but have yet to find a strain able to help with anxiety's that can arise at the drop of a pin. I refuse to go back to benzo's....

 

[bright_morning]

I use mellow Sativas as needed for daily anxiety. I find they are not really intoxicating for me but rather have almost a sobering effect on my PTSD. A lot of my anxiety is paralyzing and I will end up going a whole day without doing anything because I can't make decisions or organize my thoughts. 2 strains that have helped and are very clear headed are: Dragon Fruit and ATF Special Edition. The ATF is ultra rare though, like only one growers collective even has it so I can't even get it any more. In the end this has been good as I prefer the Dragon Fruit.

Take Sativas very carefully though, as I am told they can really have a negative effect in some people. Also contrary to popular belief I have found the CBD rich stuff like ATF SE to be very energetic. Sure in theory it's anxiolytic, but only if a giant burst of energy won't set you off. It caught me off guard.

 

[Noone.]

Hell twist up a fatty pull up a chair and have at it, I don't smoke but I will when I retire, like I said puff puff pass and don't lip that shit it's not a lolly pop lol with that said bring on the feed back because I don't give a shit...thank you.

 

[ButterflyPEI]

I just spent two months in hospital. I'm 31 and have had probably 20 admissions since I was 15. I have had 4 rounds of ECT, the 4th one being during this most recent hospitalization. While the ECT made me less agitated, I didn't get any other relief from it and didn't really expect to.

My doc and I were talking on Tuesday before I was discharged. She told me that Military Services had recently recommended to her that she try Cesamet (medicinal marijauna) for one of her patients who has combat PTSD. He was very troubled with nightmares. She prescribed it and his nightmares went away.

She thought maybe I could try it for my constant flashbacks during the day. I am taking a very low dose, 0.5mg twice daily. I started it Tuesday evening and so far, my brain is much slower. I can actually form thoughts now without them being invaded by pictures and flashes from my trauma.

I have never ever smoked marijuana so was terrified and sort of opposed to trying this because I pride myself on never having turned to drugs or drink to help myself cope. I must say though that I am impressed by what the Cesamet has done for me so far.

 

[BBQsauce]

Kind of OT a little bit.. but really??? I'm not the only one who loses weight? Last year, I lost 45lbs doing absolutely nothing.... Just stopped eating.

I gained 35lbs of that back over winter, and I'm already down another 22lbs since I've stopped letting munchies consume me in March. Though now I am adding more exercise and tons of fruits and veggies this year.. though the weight is still falling off. If I only eat one meal a day (which has been my typical the last couple years), I can lose a 1lb a day.... but the moment I eat some midnight munchies, I lose/gain 0 lbs for the day.. So odd, yet predictable for me.

 

[AzureMind]

What I would like to know is if anyone else has personal experience from attempting this approach. I have been using regularily for over a year and I have made great progress in that year, but as a scientist I know that is not the whole story.
Anybody relate?

Can I relate? You bet your DEGREE I CAN!! I love it...it does reduce anxiety, and any physical pain symptoms one has, and even eases flashbacks. It's better than those pills that often make you gain weight, feel sluggish, lethargic, and grow dependent on them...but easy does it...you don't want to turn to MJ everytime you have a bad day...that'll make the high go to waste, the more you use. It's good tho...SOOO good...:) lol

 

[AzureMind]

I'm saying that if you smoke, it's really a choice/preference on one's own part; You won't get any judgement from me for it, so have at it, but like everything, in moderation :)

 

[Loner]

I have found that pot helps me numb my feelings and slow them down when they get too much to deal with but that it also increases my anxiety and limits my ability to read others emotions and connect with people, especially strangers. I have also found that the effects from pot last a lot longer than the high, and for me while the high sometimes calms my anxiety if I am alone, the next day I feel it is worse. For me staying sober right now is grounding. I am pretty much done with it I hope. Your mileage may vary.

 

[AzureMind]

I have found that pot helps me numb my feelings and slow them down when they get too much to deal For me staying sober right now is grounding. I am pretty much done with it I hope. Your mileage may vary.

Too true Loner; TOO TRUE...:) When you're spacy/dissociative it does feel like it grounds you, I know it does for me. It gives me a mental 'cushion' to soften being completely 'out/present' with other people usually I'm only 'half' there with people. It's how I got through being abused coming up. MJ isn't so bad, but I'm considering other alternatives...but since we're still talking about it on this thread, I guess I'll just consider rolling something FAT up, and easing those thoughts about physics, the universe, molecular biology, and psychology...It just gives me a physical state of normalcy, but it makes me more 'average joe' when I smoke...I can wrap my head around the everyday regular stuff I guess when I smoke. I've been clean about 2 1/2 months, and I'm cool with it, but I'm just 'back to being me' again! :laugh:

 

[bright_morning]

Oddly I don't feel like it dissociates me at all, with exception of some strains whe the first 20-30 minutes can be a little disorienting. Any dissociation or odd feelings I ever feel on MJ I attribute to my PTSD. I don't blame the med for feeling dissconencted, but rather am grateful to have my disconnection pointed out to me so I can work on it.

I'm kidding myself if I think I relate normally each day and am suddenly made worse by marijuana. It's quite the contrary for me. I have really strange survival mechanisms, and when I relax (which can be via marijuana, a nice run, a hike, or making music or art) I become aware of how wound up I am. After becoming aware I can then use other tools I have learned in therapy like positive self talk, breathing, and prayer to deal with the reasons I am so alert or hurt.

I am having success with this method and I don't plan to quit using marijuana anytime soon, and I'd personally never consider replacing it with something else just because Harry Anslinger and Richard Nixon got political boners during their respective terms.

I realize this is not everyone's experience with marijuana, and I completely respect that, you know your own body. But for me, I hate pharmaceutical preparations and rather trust this medication that I feel like is a gift from God himself for my circumstances at this time. Any misgivings I have come from the uncomfortable feelings that marijuana forces me to deal with instead of my usual obsessions, projections, irritability, and procrastination. I am very fortunate and blessed to have something to help my psyche cut through the familiar to the true and real.

May we all find tools along the way to break up the haze and confusion so we can hold ourselves together in one place and soothe our aching souls with love. And may we find the right people to take this journey with us.