Many patients are looking at taking medical marijuana for PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, in Maryland and Delaware. However, they are unsure how medical cannabis might help PTSD or how to go about getting their medical marijuana card.
At Green Relief Health we have a team of compassionate professional who can help guide you through the medical marijuana for PTSD process. This blog will guide you through medical cannabis and how it may help you, but if you have any questions we are here to help.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD is a mental health disorder that occurs after a traumatic or stressful event such as war, car accidents, trauma and abuse, or even can occur after someone is very sick perhaps in the hospital for a very long time. In fact, a significant and growing number of medical marijuana for PTSD patients are veterans that have dealt with traumatic events in the military.
The symptoms that a person may experience include intrusive thoughts and avoiding a certain activity that the person may associate with the trauma. A person may also experience negative thinking or moods, or even negative changes in a person’s health and physical state. PTSD can cause someone to have nightmares or problems with sleeping through the night. It is not uncommon for those suffering from PTSD to have anxiety attacks, panic attacks, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Many individuals with PTSD have problems with focusing on tasks or even their job.
Effects of PTSD
All these symptoms can someone suffering from PTSD to have difficulty maintaining normal and healthy relationships with their spouse, friends, family, and even coworkers.
For someone suffering from PTSD, it can sometimes take time to get the help and treatment you need particularly when you are looking to get medical marijuana for PTSD. About 50% of Americans will experience a traumatic event, however only about half of those people will develop PTSD. And, just because you have PTSD it does not mean you have to have all the symptoms associated with PTSD such as anxiety and panic attacks, problems sleeping, and difficulties keeping friendships and relationships.
We have all heard some people say they have developed PTSD, however for those suffering from PTSD it is not something to take lightly. Those suffering from PTSD often are not getting the care they need to feel better.
What is Medical Marijuana For PTSD?
Medical marijuana is an all-natural, medication for those suffering from PTSD. Medical cannabis comes in many different types, but the primary types are sativa strains, indica strains, and hybrid strains. Medical marijuana is most known for the THC in the plant which gives you the euphoric or “high” sensation from cannabis. However, the plant contains many other cannabinoids, such as CBD which have other benefits. Today, medical marijuana is being used to treat conditions including but not limited to:
- chronic pain
- severe pain
- anxiety
- nausea
- anorexia
- insomnia
Medical marijuana has also been found to help people with a weakened immune system, sleep disorders including insomnia, and emotional and mood disorders.
How Can Medical Marijuana For PTSD Help?
You might ask yourself why someone would use medical marijuana for PTSD instead of medications such as benzodiazepines, anti-depressants, or anxiolytics. Well, for a lot of people taking these types of medications, there can be a great deal of side effects. These side effects include drowsiness, sedation, flat affect, sexual dysfunction, dependency, nausea and constipation, and even suicidal thoughts.
As you can see, these side effects leave a lot of people taking traditional medications for PTSD who are at risk for worsening mental health symptoms. So why does medical marijuana help PTSD sufferers? THC in medical cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies which is known to play a big part of our ability to deal with fear, stress, and anxiety. The endocannabinoid system is a complex system of receptors throughout our bodies including in our brains and nervous system that helps create balance.
What Does the Research Say About Medical Marijuana For PTSD?
A recent study showed that the endocannabinoid system plays a key role in reduced anxiety the brain. This is the system that cannabinoids like THC in medical marijuana work with.
It is important to note that not all medical marijuana doses are made the same when you are looking to receive benefits in anxiety and panic disorders such as PTSD. For example, in higher doses medical marijuana can cause increased feelings of anxiety in some people. Therefore it is incredibly important to speak with a trained medical cannabis certifying provider who can help guide you through this process.
For most though, a low to moderate dose of medical marijuana can have significantly positive effects on the symptoms of PTSD.
How Can You Take Medical Cannabis?
In addition to differences in dosages of medical marijuana, you can take your medical cannabis in a few different forms. These include oil tinctures, edibles, and smokable forms such as dried flower. This is one of the reasons why finding an expert in the consultation regarding medical marijuana and use for your PTSD symptoms is very important. You want to find a medical marijuana doctor who can advise you on the best dosage and form to take medical cannabis to help with your PTSD symptoms.
Takeaways
If you are suffering from PTSD, or have been diagnosed with PTSD, medical marijuana can bring you the relief you are looking for. It is important to understand the steps required to see if you are eligible as a medical marijuana patient in the States of Maryland and Delaware. In Maryland, there are two steps in getting your medical marijuana card. You must first register as a patient with the Maryland Medical Marijuana Commission, known as the MMCC. To register, you will need to provide your photo ID, proof of Maryland residency, and a fee to register. The other step in getting your medical marijuana card for your PTSD symptoms is to get your medical marijuana certification by a registered provider with the MMCC.
The process for patients in Delaware is somewhat different than the process for patients in Maryland. In Delaware applying for your medical marijuana card is simple: Do it online here or print and mail the completed application. After your doctor authorizes treatment and the State receives the application, it could take two to four weeks for you to receive your card.
The process of getting access to medical marijuana can be confusing. If you are having trouble making your way through the process the team at Green Relief Health can help. Our compassionate staff can walk you through the entire process from start to finish to make sure you get the access to medical cannabis you need.
