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Efficacy of different varieties of medical...
Journal article

Efficacy of different varieties of medical cannabis in relieving symptoms in post-traumatic stress disorder (Ptsd) patients

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a crippling condition that affects individuals who have experienced severe traumatic event(s). Cannabis is emerging as a treatment option for patients experiencing PTSD. The objective of this study is to determine which varieties of cannabis PTSD patients perceive to be most effective for relieving their symptoms. PTSD patients using medical cannabis from a Canadian licensed provider voluntarily completed an online survey at baseline, 4 and 10 months, which collected information pertaining to their medical conditions, symptoms, and use of medical cannabis. The majority of PTSD patients reported improvement in all most commonly reported symptoms, including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and pain, following the use of medical cannabis (p < 0.0001). Sedamen MR was reported to be effective in relieving overall PTSD at 4 and 10 months, and also helped manage each of the four common symptoms. Luminarium MR was also reported to be beneficial for PTSD at 4 and 10 months, as well as for depression, anxiety, and pain. Alaska MR was reported beneficial for PTSD after 4 months as well as for depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. Midnight MR was reported to be effective in relieving PTSD after 10 months, and also was reportedly beneficial for all four common symptoms. Study results demonstrated that PTSD patients perceived notable differences in the effectiveness of cannabis varieties for managing their symptoms. Further research in a controlled clinical setting to determine which varieties manage PTSD symptoms most effectively will help clinicians make better recommendations to patients.

Authors

Drost L; Wan BA; Blake A; Chan S; Wolt A; Ganesh V; Zhang L; Slaven M; Shaw E; Deangelis C

Journal

Journal of Pain Management, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 415–422

Publication Date

January 1, 2017

ISSN

1939-5914

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