Could cannabis treat post-traumatic stress disorder?

Researchers at the University of Calgary, Canada, are currently investigating the possibilities of treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with cannabis. The new study will focus on the role of the endocannabinoid system, which helps to regulate the emotions experienced by people suffering from these disorders following traumatic experiences and confrontation with death, often ex-military personnel or witnesses of terrorist attacks.

«There is growing evidence that the endocannabinoid system is involved in stress management and can regulate this post-traumatic phase,» explains Dr Maria Morena, the researcher at the head of the project. She also explains that the endocannabinoid system reacts to certain cannabis compounds and produces them naturally in the brain.

Morena hopes that the current project will help scientists to understand how to use cannabis to make the parts of the body associated with strong emotions react. In any case, she believes that cannabis could be an effective aid. And if it proves true, it could help PTSD sufferers manage the emotions, fears and other anxieties that come with the syndrome.

The debate over the use of cannabis to treat PTSD already exists. More and more U.S. and Canadian veterans are turning to cannabis to ease their stress, and some U.S. physician groups are calling for cannabis to be recognized as a treatment for PTSD and placed on the list of qualifying medical conditions for access to medical cannabis. In Canada, some veterans are already being treated with medical cannabisl.

Many American veterans have moved to Colorado to take advantage of cannabis legalization. In fact, the VA is under intense pressure to change its rules and allow military patients to treat themselves with medical cannabis.

The study, currently being tested on mice, is scheduled to last three years. So results will have to wait. But cannabis may turn out to be a good alternative to traditional medicines which, according to Maria Morena, are not always effective, at least from a cognitive point of view.