CANNAConsumer Magazine August 2017 | Page 50

Cannabis for Veterans

This is the first of a two-part in-depth article dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how it affects Veterans. We discuss the many different methods of treatment, including medical cannabis as a viable form of therapy for those who suffer from the symptoms of PTSD.

Before we talk about the forms of PTSD treatment and medical cannabis, let’s first identify what PTSD is and who it afflicts.

The human body is remarkably adept at protecting itself from getting harmed—this is especially true during and after experiencing a trauma. The mechanism or stress response for this is typically named “fight or flight.” The term was originally coined in an effort to help people develop the skills they needed to make quick and potentially lifesaving decisions during a time of crisis or threatening situations.

In most cases, people with a high resiliency to trauma can bounce back from the dramatic conditions causing their fight or flight response to manifest, and they are able to continue about their daily lives without any further issues. Unfortunately, more and more people are developing a condition commonly called PTSD. The symptoms can last for months—and in some cases even years—after the stress inducing event that triggered the response.

Part 1

MEDICAL

CANNABIS

and the Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

By Operation

Compassionate Care

50 CANNABIS FOR VETERANS