CANNAConsumer Magazine August 2017 | Page 54

Cannabis for Veterans

WHO SUFFERS FROM PTSD?

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America more than 8 million Americans suffer from some form of PTSD. Interestingly, although anyone can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, the condition generally shows its effects in women rather than men.

According to the National Center for PTSD, more than 10 percent of women will at some point in their life develop symptoms of PTSD. Men, on the other hand, will only develop the symptoms of PTSD about 4 percent of the time. This is despite the fact that 60 percent of men will experience a traumatic event, which could trigger PTSD at some point during their lifetimes, compared to 50 percent of women experiencing the same such event or horrific experience.

Some contributing factors that could make one person more likely to suffer from PTSD than another include a family history of depression or anxiety that increases the risk of developing the condition.

Additionally, some people habitually experience more stress and trauma over the course of their normal everyday life when compared to others. The number of scary experiences or traumatic events a person experiences can significantly increase their susceptibility to developing symptoms associated with PTSD. Traumas such as child abuse, sexual assault, witnessing or living through a man-made or natural disaster other violent crimes, and witnessing or experiencing combat can all be the trigger point for a PTSD episode to embed itself in the individual.

On the more scientific and chemical side of the house, it has been proven that the way a person’s brain regulates certain chemicals or a person’s natural temperament can also influence whether they are more likely to develop PTSD.

The case for medical marijuana research on PTSD

Found on the youtube channel CO4MMJRegulation.

How and why medical marijuana can help people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Interviews with Dr. Rapahael Mechoulam of Hebriew University in Israel.

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