A US focus group, exploring the effects of medical cannabis in veterans with PTSD, has produced promising findings.
The leading medical cannabis provider in the state of Texas, Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation (TXOG), has released the results from a focus group exploring the effects of medical cannabis in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The study took place over 90 days among 14 veterans who have a clinical diagnosis of the condition, with researchers reporting “dramatic” results.
Focus group participants sampled TXOG’s gummy, lozenge and tincture products at various dosages based on individual prescriptions from their physicians.
Following the focus group’s completion, patients reported quick onset of the products’ medicinal effects and unanimous relief from their PTSD symptoms.
In addition to the survey, Dr Matthew Brimberry, the head of Texas Cannabis Clinic and the focus group’s presiding physician, evaluated the group using an entrance and exit PCL-5 questionnaire, a 20-item self-reporting measure that assesses the 20 clinical symptoms of PTSD listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Dr Brimberry’s assessment noted the medicine was well tolerated and no patient discontinued treatment due to medicinal side effects.
Overall PTSD symptoms in the focus group were reduced by 47 per cent from an initial PCL-5 mean score of 54.3 to 28.6 after 90 days.
Ninety three per cent of patients experienced decreased symptom severity, while 86 per cent of the group showed a clinically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms.
At the end of the 90-day focus group, 71 per cent of the group achieved PTSD remission—defined as a PCL-5 score of less than 33.
“My team and I have served hundreds of Texans suffering from PTSD, cancer and other debilitating conditions. Introducing medical cannabis into their treatment plans has been truly life-changing,” commented Dr Brimberry.
“As a physician, my goal is to alleviate a patient’s symptoms to the best of my ability, improve their quality of life and better their long-term prognosis. To observe the participants of TXOG’s PTSD focus group experience such a dramatic, positive change in their symptoms has been extraordinary and conclusively demonstrates the impact medical cannabis can have in treatment.”
The focus group evaluated symptom response, patient product preference and medical cannabis’ potential to reduce traditional pharmaceutical consumption.
Participants reported a reduction in pain, decreased nightmares, better sleep and improved mood.
Dr Brimberry added: “This observational study echoes what veterans have been telling us. Medicinal cannabis should be considered as one of the first-line treatment options for PTSD. We are seeing significantly better results with cannabis when compared to conventional pharmacotherapy.”