Treating PTSD With Medical Marijuana
Recently within the United States there has been much debate concerning the legalizing of marijuana as well as the medical use of legal marijuana. Needless to say there has been much controversy. Some states have passed it others have not, and the medical community as well as patients have been fighting for the rights of their patients to legally use marijuana for medical purposes. The newest condition fighting for treatment is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately the debate centers around marijuana being a gateway drug and the misconception that someone can develop a weed addiction. Although there are marijuana detox facilities, and addiction to marijuana is unlikely, however the need to get high is addictive.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD is a very real anxiety disorder that derives from an exposure to any event that results in psychological trauma. These traumas include the threat of death to oneself or to someone else, the threat to someone’s physical, sexual, or psychological wellbeing, as well as their ability to cope. Within the DSM-IV a person must exhibit signs such as flashbacks, nightmares, and “re-occurrences” for more than a month to be diagnosed with it. It can also effect social, emotional, and occupational functioning.
Effects
Marijuana also known as cannabis, pot,and weed leads to psychoactive and physiological effects when it is consumed. The most notable effects include a change in perception as well as a mood change. It can also lead to an increased heart rate, a lower blood pressure as well as an impairment of the short term and working memory. It is also thought that psychomotor coordination along with concentration are effected as well. Other than rare cases where individuals injected Hashish oils, there have been no deaths or overdoses of anyone imbibing marijuana.
Beneficial Effects
Medical marijuana has been documented to have many beneficial effects. These include the lessening of nausea and vomiting and the stimulation of hunger in those receiving chemotherapy as well as those suffering from AIDS. Marijuana also lowers the intraocular eye pressure that is effective in helping those live with and treat glaucoma. It is also a general pain reliever. Other studies conducted report it’s beneficial use in the treatment of multiple sclerosis as well as depression. Most recently, those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder are looking to be able to treat their symptoms with medical marijuana.
Treatment For PTSD
There have recently been petitions to include post traumatic stress disorder as a disorder that can be treated with medical marijuana. Unfortunately, those seeking this addition to the list of approved medical condition lack the medical research studies. Some believe that this may prohibit the addition of PTSD to the list of approved conditions to be treated with medical marijuana. The debate is a rather exhaustive one, as the misconception is that people can become addicted to marijuana. People become addicted to the need to get high, the need to escape, but not dependent upon marijuana as it has no addictive properties.
Pot addiction is a growing concern among those in the medical community. Many people believe that marijuana is very harmful to an individuals health and that prolonged use can lead to a dangerous addiction. However, other doctors claim that marijuana is a great tool for treating many ailments, and should not be vilified. The debate will likely continue for years, with neither side giving many concessions. However, drug addiction of any kind can be very harmful to a person’s long term health. If you or someone you know is addicted to marijuana, it is important that they seek help at a pot detox facility.
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