Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a challenging condition that many individuals struggle with daily. There are many treatments available, but some of them only give temporary relief or have side effects.
PTSD patients have turned to medical cannabis to help them find relief from their condition. This post will discuss how medical marijuana can help patients manage their PTSD as well as considerations to keep in mind—-legal landscape, current and ongoing research, and support for PTSD patients.
Overview of Louisiana’s Medical Marijuana Laws for PTSD
Medical marijuana is still federally illegal, so the laws for its use vary from state to state.
Louisiana includes PTSD as one of the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, as well as other conditions including anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
The state acknowledges that medical marijuana can help those with PTSD, giving legal cover to patients who choose this treatment. This means they can use medical marijuana for PTSD without worrying about losing their V.A. benefits and services.
Getting a Medical Marijuana Card for PTSD
In order to get medical cannabis, you need to have a doctor’s recommendation first. Once you’re approved, you can apply for a medical marijuana card, which you can use to buy medical cannabis at your local dispensary or pharmacy. The card also helps you stay within the legal parameters.
Applying for a medical marijuana card is easy with Teleleaf. The site guarantees privacy, thanks to its HIPAA-compliant platform. TeleLeaf focuses on the patient—including veterans who are stigmatized by society for using medical marijuana.
With every visit, you support their non-profit mission against veteran suicide and opiod addiction. Apply for a medical marijuana card today.
Understanding PTSD
PTSD is a severe condition marked by post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms such as the re-experiencing of traumatic events, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and hyperarousal symptoms.
PTSD not only affects veterans but also people who have undergone traumatic events in their lives, such as abuse, an accident, or a near-death experience.
Below are the numbers showing how the condition affects everyone.
- About 70% of adults in the U.S. have gone through at least one traumatic event in their lives.
- Up to 20% of these individuals may develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Roughly 5% of Americans, or over 13 million people, are living with PTSD at any time.
- Approximately 8.7% of U.S. adults, or 1 in 13 people, will experience PTSD during their lifetime.
- In any given year, about 3.6% of American adults suffer from PTSD.
- Nearly 1 in 9 women in the U.S. will face PTSD at some point, and women are about twice as likely as men to get the disorder.
- 23% of women in the military have reported sexual assault, and 55% of female veterans and 38% of male veterans have faced sexual harassment while serving.
- Research indicates that PTSD prevalence among veterans varies widely, from 1.09% to 34.84%.
- PTSD can stem from any traumatic event, not just those related to war.
- 16% of emergency physicians meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis.
- Around 5% of teenagers experience PTSD.
Traditional Treatments for PTSD
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- Prolonged exposure (P.E.)
- Stress inoculation training (SIT)
- Present-centered therapy (PCT)
- Pharmaceutical medications such as Zoloft and Effexor
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Even with many therapies out there, not every treatment works for everyone, and some medications have side effects. This has led people to look for other options, and medical cannabis has come up as a promising alternative.
The Shift Towards Medical Cannabis
Research suggests that cannabis might help reduce over-alertness and unwanted memories by triggering CB1 receptors in the hippocampus.
Among U.S. military veterans, cannabis use is on the rise too. In 2014, 9% of U.S. veterans said they used cannabis in the past year. By 2019-2020, nearly 12% of veterans reported using it in the last six months, and this number rose to over 20% among veterans aged 18 to 44.
The Role of Medical Cannabis in Managing PTSD Symptoms
Medical cannabis has shown promise in managing PTSD symptoms. Research indicates a significant reduction in overall PTSD symptoms and improvements in quality of life and overall function. Some patients have reported its effectiveness in reducing anxiety and the frequency of intrusive thoughts.
Symptom Relief and Quality of Life
Medical cannabis offers potential benefits to PTSD patients, including:
- Symptom relief
- Improved sleep quality
- Overall calmness
- Improved quality of life
Many patients have reported experiencing these benefits, contributing to better well-being, with those evaluated showing similar results.
Perspectives PTSD Patients Using Medical Cannabis
The experiences of PTSD patients using medical cannabis in Louisiana provide valuable insight into the potential benefits and challenges of this treatment option.
Patients have reported:
- significant symptom relief
- enhanced quality of life
- challenges with workplace discrimination
- potential alterations in emotional processing
Patients have also reported that their partners have observed significant benefits from their use of medical cannabis, including better sleep quality and increased overall calmness.
Personal Stories of Symptom Management
Veteran Sarah Rudder gave medical cannabis a try after an accident during 9/11. Losing her leg and the horror she witnessed during that day caused significant trauma in her life. Despite the stigma ingrained in her by the military and society, she gave medical marijuana a try after her doctor told her about it.
She says after getting off her medications and starting her medical cannabis, her symptoms decreased. Rudder says that medical marijuana “literally saved my life.”
Support and Resources for PTSD Patients in Louisiana
For PTSD patients in Louisiana considering medical cannabis as a treatment option, a range of support and resources are available:
- The ability to consult with qualified doctors specializing in medical cannabis treatment
- Access to information from treatment locators and helplines
- Community support through various Vet Centers and VA community-based
TeleLeaf has resources that can help patients navigate the complexities of the medical marijuana laws in Louisiana and access the necessary support to manage their PTSD symptoms effectively.
Community and online support networks can provide valuable social and emotional support for PTSD patients.
Online support networks also play a significant role, offering a platform for individuals to:
- Connect
- Share experiences
- Give advice
- Provide support
Start Your Medical Marijuana Journey Today
Medical marijuana is the natural way to find relief from PTSD. If you’re ready to start, apply for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana through TeleLeaf. You can also give them a call at (504) 264-3123 for any questions or assistance.
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