{"id":23586,"date":"2022-03-17T10:11:48","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T10:11:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabishealthnews.co.uk\/?p=23586"},"modified":"2022-03-17T10:15:57","modified_gmt":"2022-03-17T10:15:57","slug":"71-of-veterans-in-remission-from-ptsd-with-medical-cannabis-study-mentalhealth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabishealthnews.co.uk\/2022\/03\/17\/71-of-veterans-in-remission-from-ptsd-with-medical-cannabis-study-mentalhealth\/","title":{"rendered":"71% of veterans in remission from PTSD with medical cannabis – study"},"content":{"rendered":"

A US focus group, exploring the effects of medical cannabis in veterans with PTSD, has produced promising findings.<\/b><\/h3>\n

The leading medical cannabis provider in the state of Texas, <\/span>Texas Original Compassionate Cultivation<\/span><\/a> (TXOG), has released the results from a <\/span>focus group exploring the effects of medical cannabis in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The study took place over 90 days among 14 veterans who have a clinical diagnosis of\u00a0 the condition, with researchers reporting \u201cdramatic\u201d results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus group participants sampled TXOG\u2019s gummy, lozenge and tincture products at various dosages based on individual prescriptions from their physicians.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"anxiety:<\/a><\/p>\n

Following the focus group\u2019s completion, patients reported quick onset of the products\u2019 medicinal effects and unanimous relief from their PTSD symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the survey, Dr Matthew Brimberry, the head of Texas Cannabis Clinic and the focus group\u2019s presiding physician, evaluated the group using an entrance and exit <\/span>PCL-5 questionnaire<\/span><\/a>, a 20-item self-reporting measure that assesses the 20 clinical symptoms of PTSD listed in the American Psychiatric Association\u2019s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Brimberry\u2019s assessment noted the medicine was well tolerated and no patient discontinued treatment due to medicinal side effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the 90-day focus group, 71 per cent of the group achieved PTSD remission\u2014defined as a PCL-5 score of less than 33.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy 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,\u201d commented Dr Brimberry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a physician, my goal is to alleviate a patient\u2019s symptoms to the best of my ability, improve their quality of life and better their long-term prognosis. To observe the participants of TXOG\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The focus group evaluated symptom response, patient product preference and medical cannabis\u2019 potential to reduce traditional pharmaceutical consumption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants reported a reduction in pain, decreased nightmares, better sleep and improved mood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Brimberry added: \u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n