How can Medical Cannabis help Post traumatic Stress Disorder

While much debate remains about whether or not medical marijuana is effective for the treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, some states are allowing doctors to prescribe cannabis for it. While more studies are being conducted, it's looking like medical marijuana is a viable treatment for PTSD - along with continued counseling. It is estimated that nearly 25% of all medical marijuana patients are also military veterans. Many of these veterans also suffer from PTSD received through traumatic combat experiences. However, very few of these veterans are actually prescribed medical marijuana for this disorder. States such as New Mexico have declared PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) a viable ailment to be prescribed medicinal cannabis. However, not everyone is on board with this notion. Director of the Stanford Center on Stress and Health, Dr. David Spiegel stated about the use of MMJ in PTSD patients, “The last thing you want is to be losing control at a time when you’re remembering an event in which you lost control.” Many medical marijuana patients who have been diagnosed with PTSD have contested this by saying they don’t use marijuana to the point of feeling like they’re out of control. Many of them feel that there is a big difference between college dorm room pot smoking and responsible, medicinal use of cannabis. In order to help alleviate some of the confusion, the American Medical Association is running controlled studies to test the effectiveness of cannabis in treating PTSD and other ailments. However, the research that has been done has shown that certain joyful and uplifting sativa are good for the treatment of PTSD, as well as indica-dominant hybrids that don’t provide a heavy sedative effect.