CBD OIL FOR PTSD

CBD OIL FOR PTSD: HOW CAN CBD HELP MANAGE PTSD?

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic mental health condition that can occur in individuals after experiencing a severely traumatic event. It involves dysregulation of multiple neurobiological systems and is closely related to anxiety. When an individual experiences a traumatic event, it may lead to the psychological dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is instrumental for stress adaptation.

The nervous system is complex and made up of neurons that transmit signals from the brain to other parts of the body. If the brain experiences a traumatic event, the hormone adrenaline is released via the sympathetic nervous system, and the built-in stress response becomes heightened.  PTSD occurs when the stress response is pushed beyond its limits and refuses to return to normal after the threat is over because the nervous system has lost its ability to self-regulate, leading to psychological and physical distress.

Conventional Methods of Treating PTSD

Conventional methods of treating PTSD include medication and psychotherapy. Unfortunately, the medications currently available for the treatment of PTSD have limited efficacy due to the lack of understanding of the basic mechanisms and underlying pathways that causes PTSD. Remission in PTSD patients is relatively low, and the medications also have unwanted side effects. Opioids are also prescribed for patients with PTSD, but they’re highly addictive medications. Patients with PTSD may be at a higher risk of developing an addiction to Opioids.

How can CBD help manage PTSD?

CBD can help patients with PTSD because cannabidiol can clear painful memories and reduce stress levels. The brain produces its endogenous cannabinoids that help clear painful memories, reduce our stress levels, and balance the nervous system to control high sympathetic overdrive. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a system that regulates physical functions, such as movement, pain sensation, and immune responses, cognitive capacities, like perception, mood, and memory. It modulates and interfaces with all of the other systems throughout the body.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?

Some events that can induce post-traumatic stress and may lead to PTSD include: war, sexual assault, loss of a loved one, accident, or natural disaster. PTSD manifests in various ways as people living with it try to cope with issues like anxiety, depression, reckless behavior, migraines, headaches, and reduced immunity. Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD include:

Flashbacks of the traumatic experience, nightmares, and hallucinations

Physical symptoms (such as increased blood pressure, racing heartbeat, sweating, brain fog)

1. Avoidance and social isolation
2. Overly emotional and excessive mood alterations
3. Insomnia
4. Irritability
5. Nausea
6. Diarrhea
7. Anger management issues
8. Feeling anxious, hyper-vigilance, and living in fear
9. Emotional detachment
10. Negative beliefs and feelings
11. Intrusive thoughts and memories
12. Nightmares, strange dreams, and hallucinations
13. Loss of memory and difficulty in concentration
14. Difficulty maintaining employment
15. Substance abuse

How is PSTD Diagnosed?

Signs and manifestations of PTSD can last between a few months to many years after the traumatic event. Although PTSD is commonly associated with first responders and military veterans, it can affect anyone. A clinical psychologist can diagnose PTSD by performing a physical examination and psychological assessment using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This examination and assessment follow three categories for about one month. They are:

Reminders of the Exposure — Flashbacks, nightmares, hallucination, intrusive thoughts

Activation — Hyperarousal, agitation, insomnia, irritability, aggression, impulsiveness, hypervigilance

What Are The Benefits of Using CBD Oil for PTSD?

The endocannabinoid (ECB) system modulates multiple functions such as appetite, sleep, pain, and cognitive function. It is a potential therapeutic agent in stress effects and other psychiatric and medical conditions like PTSD. Enhancing ECB signaling can help decrease PTSD symptoms and dysfunction of the HPA axis through the regulation of emotional behavior, learning, and responses to traumatic events. There are many promising benefits of using CBD to alleviate the symptoms associated with PTSD, especially in people that haven’t responded well to conventional methods.

1. Helps with curbing depression

There is a link between depression and the body’s endocannabinoid system that favors the use of cannabis. Many CBD dominant strains are non-psychoactive and provide anti-depressant effects. They help improve mood and a general uplifting feeling.

2. Stops Nightmares

Research has shown that CBD ceased or significantly reduced flashbacks, nightmares, and persistent memories in patients with PTSD.  CBD also disrupts the feelings of long-term fear memory processing that reduces stress and anxiety.

3. Helps with curbing anxiety

Those with PTSD often have anxious feelings, panic attacks, compulsiveness, and the long-term effects of stress. CBD has a range of calming properties that relax and energize the mind.

There may be no cure for PTSD, but can be managed with CBD. If combined with other therapies, CBD may relieve many of the symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and prevent nightmares and flashbacks that are related to PTSD. However, since CBD has the potential to interact with some medications, it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider before you start using CBD or stop using any other form of treatment. CBD usage and doses vary from person to person and depend on a lot of factors – such as age, weight, height, kidney function, liver function, genetics, and current medication. So, the best advice is to start with a low dose and keep increasing it until you get the desired relief you are seeking.

Final Thought

There may be no cure for PTSD, but can be managed with CBD. If combined with other therapies, CBD may relieve many of the symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and prevent nightmares and flashbacks that are related to PTSD. However, since CBD has the potential to interact with some medications, it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider before you start using CBD or stop using any other form of treatment. CBD usage and doses vary from person to person and depend on a lot of factors – such as age, weight, height, kidney function, liver function, genetics, and current medication. So, the best advice is to start with a low dose and keep increasing it until you get the desired relief you are seeking.