Medical Marijuana And PTSD

[A.J.]

I used MMJ for about a year, then it started to make me really paranoid and anxious. When I was using it, I made a lot of impulsive decisions socially and financially, and am now regretting a few of those decisions. I loved the effect for awhile, but like all self-medications I've tried in my life I tend to push it as far as I can. Booze, weed, prescription meds and pain killers (I found ways to get extra dosages). If a little is good, a lot is better... right? Addictive personality aside, I think it can be useful for some folks because all of our body chemistry settings are different. I'm finding that going without is best for me now. But that's today. Been off it for a month now, and a somewhat "normal" sensation is returning slowly. NOTE: This is also the time frame I've been going to a therapist for EMDR. I'm sure it all figures into the mix, but I have no idea how.

 

[Lionheart]

Study: Cannabis May Mitigate Traumatic Memories In Patients With PTSD
[DLMURL]http://blog.norml.org/2012/07/05/study-cannabis-may-mitigate-traumatic-memories-in-patients-with-ptsd/[/DLMURL]

I hope that it's ok that I posted this link, I felt it was relevant to the thread.

Lion

 

[ikop]

I am the onlu one here that pot increses his anixey levels ?!

 

[Lionheart]

'Sativa' will increase my anxiety too, but 'Indica' (a different strain of marijuana) soothes my symptoms, yet I suppose everyone is different in regards to how they are affected by it.

It is not a cure or a magic bullet but it helps to stimulate sleep, appetite, relieve pain and anxiety etc., at least it does in my case. Once it is legalized so that there can be government-funded scientific testing done, they may be able to extract the exact cannabinoids that work for PTSD and administer them from a more clinical standpoint. This is my hope for all of us that suffer with PTSD and other debilitating illnesses.

Peace,
Lion

 

[Nishkaa]

Some of the hydroponic stuff out there is way too strong for me, and I've had panic attacks on that, racing mind, anxiety-- so I've stayed away from pot.

There's a CBC documentary, "Downside of High" (David Suzuki-- Canadian-- so maybe talking about BC bud here) and it looked at pot use and development of psychosis among youth, who had a biological/hereditary predisposition to it (e.g. schizophrenia, manic depression in the family). The science of it was discussed, and how through cloning of plants to maximize THC levels overtime, the newer strains of MJ have lost the other beneficial properties from the cannaboids of the pot plant.

Well, recently, I had an opportunity to try Sativa bucal spray (mouth spray), manufactured by Bayer; it's dispersed in my country only for things like cancer, and it's hard to get a prescription for it as only few doctors prescribe it. But out of empathy, re: disabling chronic pain/fatigue/arthritis, a friend witnessing me struggle through work, let me try his spray later that night-- it was awesome! (Friend has Combat-PTSD; cancer from DU exposure (dupleted uranium); other injuries from service to joints, etc. War has it's costs, that's for sure. He's inspiring; he pulls off day-to-day with enormous courage and grace; paces himself; does great work; definitely a hero figure to me).

Pain was keeping me up at night, and having pain all day, but with extreme fatigue-- this stuff let me sleep so pleasantly-- a good body-buzz, like laying in a hot bath, soothed, no pain, and also no anxiety or weirdness happening to the mind-- mind felt clear. And it seemed to have a longer lasting effect, so that pain/fatigue didn't bother me for the whole week (even though it was raining and that's been bad for me). Mentally, I was doing great as well (and I was dealing with stuff, I'd expect would trigger me, though I have better coping now, able to manage flashbacks better, at least some of the main ones).

There is something to its properties for reducing inflammation and also for relaxing muscles which can tense up in response to pain (and also in response to PTSD symptoms, over time, the body can get really cramped up too, carrying stress, constriction, wear from fight/flight-- I also got TMJ, etc. gritting my teeth, grinding, etc-- chronic stress over many years, anger too). For pain management, I imagine if pot can replace or limit use of opiods (which are much more addictive, tolerance-building), that can't be a bad thing. If it can help limit the physiological damages from chronic-PTSD, that too is interesting. . .

There's other therapies, like mindfulness, yoga to help relax the body (and mind), which also for both PTSD and chronic pain (but I broke some bones, and couldn't get back to that to a fuller-practice, and now have newer problems, osteo-arthritis, spreading. . . and lazy doctors. . . long waitlists for specialists, etc.). Oh well, keep on keeping on :) I don't see why they can't legalize it for prescription, have doctor monitor it. . . produce many strains, see what works individually. . .

 

[agent_lch]

My now "ex" boyfriend suffers from PTSD. When we first got together he would smoke pot just now and then as it helped calm his nerves and made him feel relaxed. Then a few months later he started smoking it religiously. That is when everything changed.

He dumped me (less than a month after I find out I'm pregnant), he refuses to go get help (his actualy medication he is prescribed is no longer having an affect on him) and he has gotten so bad that his "color" has changed, he throws up from nerves and his stuttering problem has gotten really bad. The stuttering is related to his PTSD. When it starts getting worse, look out, he's about to go postal.

All the pot has done is kill his will to get better. I really hope he will realize this soon.
Myself and his family and a few friends have tried to explain this to him but he does not want to listen.

I pray that he will see the light before it is too late.

 

[bright_morning]

Well, recently, I had an opportunity to try Sativa bucal spray (mouth spray), manufactured by Bayer; it's dispersed in my country only for things like cancer, and it's hard to get a prescription for it as only few doctors prescribe it. But out of empathy, re: disabling chronic pain/fatigue/arthritis, a friend witnessing me struggle through work, let me try his spray later that night-- it was awesome! (Friend has Combat-PTSD; cancer from DU exposure (dupleted uranium); other injuries from service to joints, etc. War has it's costs, that's for sure. He's inspiring; he pulls off day-to-day with enormous courage and grace; paces himself; does great work; definitely a hero figure to me).

Pain was keeping me up at night, and having pain all day, but with extreme fatigue-- this stuff let me sleep so pleasantly-- a good body-buzz, like laying in a hot bath, soothed, no pain, and also no anxiety or weirdness happening to the mind-- mind felt clear. And it seemed to have a longer lasting effect, so that pain/fatigue didn't bother me for the whole week (even though it was raining and that's been bad for me). Mentally, I was doing great as well (and I was dealing with stuff, I'd expect would trigger me, though I have better coping now, able to manage flashbacks better, at least some of the main ones).

There is something to its properties for reducing inflammation and also for relaxing muscles which can tense up in response to pain (and also in response to PTSD symptoms, over time, the body can get really cramped up too, carrying stress, constriction, wear from fight/flight-- I also got TMJ, etc. gritting my teeth, grinding, etc-- chronic stress over many years, anger too). For pain management, I imagine if pot can replace or limit use of opiods (which are much more addictive, tolerance-building), that can't be a bad thing. If it can help limit the physiological damages from chronic-PTSD, that too is interesting. . .

I can relate to so many of your symptoms here and have also gotten a lot of relief from using medical cannabis that is high in Cannabidiol or CBD. The Sativex spray is 50/50 THC to CBD. The properties you are talking about that reduce inflammation and help round off the edgy effects of the THC come from Cannabidiol. I can't get Sativex here and prefer to smoke anyway, but one of the strains I get from my collective is high in CBD and works exactly as you describe. Its like all the medicinal aspects of cannabis without much of a heady high, more of a very clear, upbeat mild buzz that really seems to outlast other types of cannabis. This means less smoking. It totally smashes anxiety and leaves one in a nice neutral space, no stupor like benzos do me and no emotional numbness like SSRI's. It really helps me on bad days to participate in life, get out there and doing things and I forget that I am even medicated because I am so involved in living.

Here where I live there is a trend towards breeding more and various strains of this "CBD-rich" cannabis. Its been going for a while and there are now a few places where you can pretty regularly get bud with high CBD content. The strains are pretty rare still, but becoming more common. I am so sold on this stuff that earlier today I was looking at mixing up some super soil and growing a clone of a strain called Harlequin in my yard. It routinely tests at around 7% THC and about 10% CBD. Very medicinal.

Like you, I have all sorts of pain issues including terrible TMJ pain, headaches, and muscle cramps from long term PTSD. I don't like pain pills because I want to get stuff accomplished. The PTSD is paralyzing enough! CBD-rich cannabis is a much better alternative.

I am very grateful to God for this plant, and now the option to medicate without as much of the psychedelic effect... Though I still prefer to use a high THC strain like a super potent Indica to put me to sleep. My insomnia is horrible and I refuse to be its victim anymore.

Those of you in medical states ask about Harlequin, Sour Tsunami, or Omrita RX3 as they are getting more common. If you are lucky, you might even be able to get ATF Special Edition, but this one is super rare. If I had the resources I'd grow CBD-rich cannabis as a part time vocation and give it away to people who are sick and hurting. Everyone needs a break from the pain from time to time.

 

[Raymond]

I still haven't been diagnosed with ptsd due to no insurance or money, but I'm positive I have it after my alcoholic father almost shot me in the head.

Growing up I was way against pot due to watching the drug commercials that make pot seem like a meth of sorts. One day when I was 13 my best friend talked me into trying the drug out. What fun it was, but little did I know that it would also be the only thing that could make me feel half sane.

I'm so stressed out I feel like my head is going to explode. Marijuana feels like someone throwing water on the fire that is burning me alive. Without it my symptoms rage about. I have to stop myself from even communicating with my wife or I'll be a major asshole to her.

In a time of need for comfort and relief its the only thing that I can in good conscience use without feeling like a druggie.

If you haven't ever seen the documentary "the union" I highly recommend it. It explains how the pharmaceutical industry has been trying to figure out a way to put it into pill format, but it's never as good as natural.

Imagine how many prescription drugs would be rendered useless if a home remedy could cure thousands of symptoms. The pharmaceutical companies would lose tons and tons of money.

Smoking is illegal here, but I will not stop. If I didn't have it I'd probably lose my life as I know it to anger and rage. The risk I currently take is so worth it.

 

[Nishkaa]

Thank you so much, bright_morning, for the validation and also for clearing up terms. Yes, it was the "Sativex" spray, not "Sativa" as I referred to it as, and likewise clarification of "canabidiol". . . your knowledge on the subject matter is empowering-- thank you :)

There has been some recent research re: the connection between inflammation disorders and PTSD, so it's interesting looking at the potentials of something which could help alleviate symptoms of both conditions. Somedays I'm crippled, need a cane. Knee keeps giving out on me, intense, sudden shooting pain-- which sucks at intersections, and I dissociate briefly. . . it's annoying to me, just as PTSD symptom-attacks are, I hate being vulnerable "out there". Physiotherapy was offered, but it's a year wait to access it, so in the meantime, I'm looking at doing what I can, re: nutrition options, and exercise I can do (cycling, swimming), knee exercises. Naproxen (NSAID) helps a bit, better than the heavy dose of aspirin (wondering about the liver damage of that, if requiring a longer-term remedy and I need to be thinking longer-term generally re: my health). I'm only in my early 40s, but I really feel like a crabby old woman, cursing under my breath, with each step I take and a 'don't piss me off' attitude, 'I've got a cane', lol. I could probably do with 'mellowing out' a little more. ;)

 

[sharky]

I have not read through all of the comments but I smoke daily. It's weird, because for me it seems to just enhance moods. If I'm happy, I get happier. If I'm depressed, I start thinking more and get more depressed. However, for me, it's a way of coping. Thinking through everything, because weed makes me think a lot more (half of the time). I might get more upset and start crying uncontrollably, but I think it's better to get the emotions out rather than trying to subdue them constantly. It's as if weed is saying to me, "Okay. You're going to think about this A LOT for the next forty-five minutes and get REALLY upset. But after that, you're free of your troubles for a little while and can focus a little bit better on your present life."

 

[bright_morning]

It's as if weed is saying to me, "Okay. You're going to think about this A LOT for the next forty-five minutes and get REALLY upset. But after that, you're free of your troubles for a little while and can focus a little bit better on your present life."

Haha I thought I was the only one! I thought the marijuana was going to numb me and that I wouldn't be able to process stuff while on it. Not so! After and EMDR session or talk therapy if I smoke I have no choice but to drill down to the nitty gritty and have actually cried a lot about things that I normally keep trapped inside. Very well stated.

 

[sharky]

I'm glad I'm not alone on this! I'm always the only one out of my friends, at least it seems, that smokes and then immediately might start to get really really upset instead of being 'stoned out' and playing a video game or jamming out to music or something. I use to feel like there was something wrong with me for weed having that effect on me. But I've been realizing that it might be important for that to happen to me.