Cannabis shows potential for treating PTSD: New study

Findings suggest that cannabis could be of possible therapeutic use in the treatment of PTSD, but cannabis use is not without risks
The Conversation (UK)
November 5, 2019

cannabis plantsThe results of clinical trials testing cannabis as a PTSD treatment are pending. Previous research has linked cannabis use with poorer mental health in PTSD patients, but it’s unclear whether cannabis exacerbates PTSD symptoms, or if patients with worse symptoms are simply self-medicating more. Much of the existing evidence for cannabis as a PTSD treatment comes from patient reports of success. A recent study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that PTSD increased the risk of major depressive episodes among Canadians who didn’t use cannabis by roughly seven times, and suicidal ideation by roughly five times. But, among Canadians who did use cannabis, PTSD was not statistically associated with either outcome.