What Recent Research Has Found About CBD and PTSD

PTSD is difficult to treat with pharmaceuticals because the brain has actually been rewired by the trauma. Also, many treatment options, such as antipsychotics and antidepressants, have unpleasant side effects such as increased suicidal ideation. As suicide is a major risk for PTSD patients, an alternative treatment is needed. CBD seems to be a strong contender. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps process emotional memories, which means that restoring balance to the ECS can help reduce the effect of traumatic memories. CBD is a phytocannabinoid that, as the name suggests, interacts with the ECS. Research has shown that CBD helps traumatic memories be properly processed rather than intruding upon patients’ well-being. Moreover, the ECS naturally produces cannabinoids to resolve trauma, and CBD can promote this production.

How CBD Can Be Part of a Treatment Plan

CBD is safe for both adults and children to consume, because it has minimal side effects, even in the developing minds of children. One study found that CBD led to a 75 percent reduction in the three main symptoms of PTSD: re-experiencing, numbing, and hyperarousal. In other words, CBD can help patients rewire their brains to overcome past trauma. PTSD leads to mood imbalance and poor stress tolerance. It has also been linked to poor sleep. CBD promotes the function of the ECS, which produces natural trauma-resolving substances and helps with emotional memory processing. Plus, it generally reduces stress and promotes sleep. That makes it a viable option for a comprehensive health plan that can help patients with PTSD.