By Research published in journals neuropharmacology A study by Wayne State University researchers showed evidence that low doses of THC can help treat people suffering from PTSD. This research is formallyCannabinoid regulation of brain activation during spontaneous regulation of negative emotions in trauma-exposed adultsaimed to learn more about how THC affects specific parts of the brain.
Although many studies have been conducted on the effects of cannabis and PTSD, this is one of the first studies to investigate how THC affects corticolimbic brain activation. . “Previous studies in healthy subjects demonstrated that acute low-dose Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduced the neurophysiological discrepancies that exist between individuals with and without PTSD during emotional processing tasks. However, the effects of acute low doses of THC on corticolimbic activity during emotion regulation in patients with PTSD have not yet been studied,” the researchers wrote in their paper. Overview.
This was a double-blind study with 51 participants. For each he was given his THC capsule of 7.5 mg or a placebo. After dosing, participants were instructed to perform a task that utilized cognitive reappraisal or to change negative thinking patterns. “Cognitive reappraisal is one of the widely studied therapeutic emotion regulation strategies among individuals with mood and anxiety disorders, and the brain’s ability to function with and without PTSD during the cognitive reappraisal task. It shows many differences in activation patterns,” said the researchers. I have written.
Participants were scanned by an FMRI machine and researchers asked about their emotions. Researchers found that brain activity in people who took THC was different from the placebo group. angular gyrus (related to functions such as attention and spatial awareness) and posterior cingulate cortex (Related to conditions such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injury). “Together, these findings suggest that THC may prove to be a beneficial pharmacological adjunct to cognitive reassessment therapy in the treatment of PTSD,” the researchers concluded. I got
According to a post from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), June 15th, veterans are more likely to commit suicide because of the devastating conditions they encounter during military service. With suicide rates significantly higher than the population, veterans bear a disproportionate but preventable burden,” the CDC wrote. “Tragically, out of 130 suicides per day in 2019, 17 of the lives lost were in veterans. of which an estimated 6.8 suicides per day [Veteran Health Administration] (VHA) encounters occurred in 2018 or 2019, but 10.4 per day were veterans who had no VHA encounters in 2018 or 2019. Suicide-related deaths among veterans are also increasing at a greater rate than the general US population. From 2001 to 2019, veterans’ suicide rates increased by nearly 36% compared to his 30% increase in the general population. ”
While the CDC strives to work with organizations to provide support to veterans, cannabis has proven to help treat many conditions veterans suffer from.
Leading organizations such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) announced earlier this year that they had been awarded $12.9 million to study cannabis and PTSD. Dr. Sue Sisley, a longtime veteran and cannabis researcher, explained how important it is to build evidence to support cannabis and PTSD treatment for veterans. It’s a public health crisis that can be solved by investing in research into new treatments for pain, depression and PTSD,” said Sisley. “This grant will allow for more rigorous research, overseen by the FDA, that one day cannabis flowers may become a prescription drug. The state is fulfilling our collective duty to our beloved veteran community.”
Other researchers are working on studies looking at how cannabis can help with PTSD symptoms. One particular study found that long-term consumption of cannabis may reduce symptoms over time.
In June, researchers from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spoke about psychedelic drugs such as MDMA and psilocybin, which may also be effective in treatment.
