A number of Beehive Farmacy patients visiting our Salt Lake City and Brigham City pharmacy locations have expressed the fact that they use medical cannabis as a treatment for PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. As you know, PTSD is a qualifying condition in Utah.
Beehive Farmacy pharmacists are qualified to answer all your medical questions about cannabis for PTSD. We will review some of the basics. If you suffer from PTSD and have been considering the possibility of getting a medical cannabis card, this post may answer some of your questions.
The Utahmarijuana.org website defines PTSD as a psychiatric disorder that occurs as a result of some sort of traumatic experience. The disorder is frequently associated with war veterans or sexual assault. However, anybody subjected to an especially traumatic experience can develop PTSD.
Common PTSD Symptoms
PTSD sufferers experience a range of symptoms depending on how the disorder affects them. Many report excessive stress and anxiety. Some experience episodes of depression, anger, and fear. PTSD patients can also suffer from flashbacks and nightmares which make things worse by making it impossible to get good sleep.
Medical cannabis as a treatment for PTSD does not cure the disorder. But certain cannabis compounds, like CBD and THC, can help reduce the severity of the symptoms. That alone can do wonders for a patient. Minimizing symptoms can make an otherwise debilitating condition more manageable. It can help PTSD sufferers . Have a better quality of life.
It is All About Cannabinoid Receptors
THC and CBD are cannabinoids that occur naturally in cannabis plants. They affect the human body by binding to cannabinoid receptors. What are these receptors? They are cellular structures found all over the human body that regulate a variety of things ranging from mood to appetite.
Though medical science has not yet figured out exactly why medical cannabis seems to help PTSD patients, research indicates that the cannabinoids found in the plant stimulate the body to release certain chemicals that calm the central nervous system. The effect of those chemicals suggests that cannabis can:
- Reduce Anxiety – Just by reducing anxiety, things like flashbacks and episodes of anger and fear can also be reduced.
- Promote Sleep – Calming the central nervous system may make it easier for PTSD patients to fall asleep and stay asleep. Fewer nightmares and flashbacks as a result of reduced anxiety certainly help too.
- Boost Mood – Some of the chemicals the body produces in response to cannabis are responsible for promoting good feelings. The result is a mood boost in some patients.
Ongoing research is likely to tell us more about how cannabis positively impacts PTSD patients. For now, the information we already have is promising.
Speak to Your Doctor
If you suffer from PTSD and have found no relief with traditional therapies, we encourage you to speak to your doctor about medical cannabis. Thanks to the recently launched LMP program, your doctor may be able to recommend medical cannabis without becoming a qualified medical provider (QMP) under state law.
Your doctor might agree that medical cannabis is a good treatment for PTSD in your circumstance. Then you can get your medical cannabis card before visiting our Brigham City or Salt Lake City pharmacy locations to pick up your medication.
We serve a number of PTSD patients at our two pharmacies. We are happy to do so, knowing that patients who find relief with medical cannabis can lead better lives for it. That is why we do what we do at Beehive Farmacy.
