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Post-traumatic stress disorder is a very well known type of anxiety disorder that is usually caused by a traumatic event, often causing people to relive these events in flashbacks or nightmares. When not effectively treated, PTSD can have a major impact on a person’s life, their ability to get quality rest, and their emotional wellbeing, and so finding the right treatment can make such a remarkable difference. Recently, for patients in the UK who are not responding to licensed medications, medical cannabis PTSD treatments have emerged as a suitable, and available, treatment option worth considering.
Am I eligible?It’s estimated around 20% of people who experience trauma will go on to develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Up to a 75% reduction in PTSD symptoms was noted in a self reported patient survey involving cannabis-based treatments.
Of patients report an improvement within 6 weeks of medical cannabis PTSD treatment starting, according to Canadian analysis
In every 100 people are expected to have PTSD in the UK. This currently equates to 2,612,000 individuals.
“Having a medical cannabis card makes me feel better - and that counts“
Daisy, Releaf Patient
October 2023
Articles on Post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)
View all18. 08. 2023
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – or PTSD – is an anxiety disorder and complex psychological condition brought on by a distressing and traumatic event. Those diagnosed with PTSD often experience generalised underlying anxiety, flashbacks, panic attacks, and nightmares.
18. 08. 2023
05. 08. 2023
Across the UK, around two and a half million people are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the charity PTSD UK, around 20% of people who experience trauma will go on to have some form of PTSD. This equates to around 10% of the country’s overall population.
05. 08. 2023
22. 08. 2023
The cannabis plant is a horticultural marvel. Its oil can be used as a salad dressing, its seeds are packed with protein and healthy fats, and its fibres make for a much more sustainable and durable alternative to cotton. What’s more, its stems, leaves, and buds are packed with compounds known to have a range of potential medicinal properties.
22. 08. 2023
Angry outbursts
Difficulty concentrating
Flashbacks
Irritability
Nausea
Nightmares
Pain
Sleeping issues
Sweating
Trembling
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms. Please speak with your GP to find out more.
When treating PTSD, the NHS typically turn to talking therapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), first. However, in the UK, waiting lists for these therapies can be very long, and so, medications are also often prescribed to help individuals manage their symptoms on a day-to-day basis.
Amitriptyline
Mirtazapine
Paroxetine
Phenelzine
Sertraline
Venlafaxine
Clinic Director
When conventional, first-line treatments have proved ineffective in managing a person’s PTSD, they may be considered eligible for treatment with cannabis-based medicines - which became legally available in the UK back in 2018.
Although medical cannabis is a legally recognised treatment method, it has not yet been licensed and given marketing approval, and so, these treatments are not conventionally prescribed by the NHS. But, medical cannabis clinics like us can prescribe PTSD cannabis-based treatments to patients, if our specialist consultants feel it could be an appropriate option for the individual.
While evidence in this area is still ongoing, current data appears promising, and numerous patient surveys from around the world observe notable improvements in PTSD symptoms, such as anxiety, poor sleep, and irritability when using medical cannabis.
It’s believed medical cannabis is able to have these beneficial effects on patients with PTSD because of its interaction with the amygdala, which is the part of our brain regulates how our bodies react to fear responses.
While we wait for further evidence, it's important that medicinal cannabis applications are overseen by qualified healthcare professionals like those that work for Releaf. Find out if these treatments may be suitable for you using our free online eligibility checker today.
