Canadians with PTSD are far less likely to suffer a major depressive episode or experience suicidal ideation when medicating with cannabis – according to a recent study by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU).
The study analyzed the data of 24,000 Canadians from a Statistics Canada health survey. It is the first to document the relationship between medical cannabis, PTSD, and mental health outcomes in a sample representative of the population.
Here’s what the study found:
- 106 people of the over 24,000 Canadians were clinically diagnosed with PTSD
- 1 in 4 respondents (28.2%) of those with PTSD indicated they have used cannabis within the year previous to the study
- This is far higher than cannabis use for the general population (11.2%)
- Non-cannabis users were 7 times more likely to have experienced a recent major depressive episode and 4.7 times more likely to have thoughts of suicide
How medical cannabis treats PTSD
The endocannabinoid system consists of receptors and compounds called endocannabinoids that bind with those receptors. When activated, these receptors can regulate functions such as muscle relaxation, pain reduction, appetite stimulation, and the modulation of mood and memory.
Patients with PTSD have been reported to have abnormalities in one of these receptors and lower levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide. Medical cannabis can help with this since THC in the cannabis plant can substitute for our body’s own anandamide. Theoretically, this should lessen the symptoms of PTSD.
At Canada House, our patients suffering from PTSD have told us that medical cannabis is very effective in reducing or relieving their symptoms. It can reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and improve mood which can lead to an overall better quality of life.
Clinical trials
UBC and the BCCSU are currently conducting Canada’s first clinical trial to evaluate the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis as a treatment for PTSD.
Become a patient
Canada House specializes in creating patient-specific medical cannabis treatment plans. Since 2013, we have helped over 14,000 Canadians improve their health.