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RainDog

(28,784 posts)
19. How mmj can best be utilized for PTSD
Thu May 1, 2014, 03:30 AM
May 2014
http://veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/content/general-use-cannabis-ptsd-symptoms

Dr. Mechoulam is the Israeli scientist who identified THC as the psychoactive compound in marijuana, and decades later he discovered the brain's endocannabinoid system and the endogenous neurotransmitter anandamide. He is one of the most respected Israeli neuroscientists and has been a senior advisor to the Israeli government on marijuana policy and the ethics of research with human subjects. He discussed his experiments demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of the endocannabinoid system in mice that have had traumatic injuries to the brain. He believes the neuroprotective effects of marijuana may eventually have applications for other neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Another fascinating discovery, one with implications for PTSD, is that the cannabinoid system is integrally related to memory, specifically to memory extinction. Memory extinction is the normal, healthy process of removing associations from stimuli. Dr. Mechoulam explained that an animal which has been administered an electric shock after a certain noise will eventually forget about the shock after the noise appears alone for a few days. Mice without cannabinoid systems simply never forget - they continue to cringe at the noise indefinitely.

This has implications for patients with PTSD, who respond to stimuli that remind them of their initial trauma even when it is no longer appropriate. By aiding in memory extinction, marijuana could help patients reduce their association between stimuli (perhaps loud noises or stress) and the traumatic situations in their past. Working with Army psychiatrists, Dr. Mechoulam has obtained the necessary approvals for a study on PTSD in Israeli veterans, and hopes to begin the study soon.


(the article spends some talk about pharmacological uses of cannabinoids and notes that the typical use may not offer the best route to actual extinction of PTSD, but serves more to treat symptoms.)

...If an individual were to want to get the most out of using therapeutic cannabis to improve a PTSD condition they should try to use low to moderate doses with as stable a blood level as possible for general anxiety and depression symptoms. Oral cannabis produces more stable blood levels. Since peak levels will produce the most soporific effect, administration of oral cannabis right before bed should produce the most benefits for improving sleep patterns. If the goal is to use cannabis to facilitate extinction of the response to PTSD triggers than small to moderate doses of cannabis vapors should be administered shortly before planned exposure to the trigger. A series of regular extinction sessions will produce better results than a single session. If cannabis appears to make aversion, fear, or aversive memories worse then the dosage should be lowered. If feelings of fear do not improve with lower dose then discontinue use of cannabis as fear-extinction aide.
SOB's. nt Mnemosyne Apr 2014 #1
We've still got a long way to go RainDog Apr 2014 #3
Hopefully someone will rectify this quickly. Many that I know with PTSD, vets and others, Mnemosyne Apr 2014 #6
This message was self-deleted by its author RainDog Apr 2014 #8
I am not a vet either, but have PTSD, as does my daughter and was married to a vet with it at one Mnemosyne Apr 2014 #13
This message was self-deleted by its author RainDog Apr 2014 #14
“Twenty-two veterans a day are killing themselves,” but pot is too dangerous!!! Scuba Apr 2014 #2
Another Vet's story RainDog Apr 2014 #4
Hopefully, fredamae Apr 2014 #5
Vets who use marijuana for PTSD are considered criminals in 43 states RainDog Apr 2014 #10
It took Oregon YEARS fredamae Apr 2014 #15
All the more reason to decriminalize/legalize pipoman Apr 2014 #7
I don't know what I would do in such a situation RainDog Apr 2014 #9
Another Vet's story RainDog Apr 2014 #11
Michael Krawitz, a U.S. Air Force veteran, sued the govt to reschedule marijuana RainDog Apr 2014 #12
Riddle me this Ruby the Liberal Apr 2014 #16
If Vets choose to use marijuana RainDog Apr 2014 #17
I can't wait for this insanity to end... Ruby the Liberal May 2014 #20
You and me both, sister. n/t RainDog May 2014 #21
It's entrenched culture war, and it will take time to Eleanors38 May 2014 #22
Another veteran's story of cannabis relieving PTSD RainDog May 2014 #18
How mmj can best be utilized for PTSD RainDog May 2014 #19
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Drug Policy»Veterans with PTSD denied...»Reply #19