Your Wellbeing: PTSD

What is PTSD? 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect people who survive or witness a traumatic life event. It often occurs after war exposure but can be brought on by traumatic, everyday life events too. It’s a psychiatric condition that causes symptoms such as: 

• Flashbacks
• Impaired concentration
• Agitation
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Impaired memory 

People who have this condition often experience a variety of related issues, many of them brought on by PTSD effects. Depression, substance abuse, and a higher rate of suicide or suicide attempts are more common among people with this condition. 

Unfortunately, treatment methods for PTSD are often inadequate at best. Medications and psychotherapy can help alleviate symptoms, but it’s often an ongoing problem for sufferers.

Quick Read: What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is important for everyday functioning and it play vital roles in the body activities such as:

• Sleep
• Appetite
• Memory
• Fertility
• Metabolism

Endocannabinoid system functions around the goal of regulating essential body functions and processes.

Memory

The endocannabinoid system, ECS, is an ancient system in the human body and one that research is only just starting to understand. But what is clear is that the health and balance of this system is important for a number of essential functions including memory. 

Manipulating its receptors, CB1 and CB2, cause feelings of pleasure and block traumatic memories at the same time. ECS stimulation may help reduce PTSD in the long and short term because it will cut down on the number of negative experiences and anxiety associated with the memory over the long term as well as prevent trauma in the present.  

Poor Sleep 

People with PTSD often experience poor sleep leading to fatigue, poor concentration, and low moods. 

These poor sleeping patterns may occur as a result of anxiety, depression, other medications, or interruptions to the body’s natural sleeping cycle.

Reducing anxiety levels and encouraging better sleep may also improve the condition of the ECS, which may encourage more natural sleeping rhythms.

Anxiety and Depression

Severe and ongoing anxiety or depression are common complaints of people with PTSD. The ECS plays a pivotal role in emotional regulation. So, the health and good functioning of this system is essential for emotional balance and control. 

The Takeaway 

PTSD symptoms may be managed successfully or even reduced in the long and short term. Please consult your health professional for more advice and support if you suffer from PTSD.

Resources: 

Differences in prevalence rates of PTSD in various European countries explained by war exposure, other trauma and cultural value orientation, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4114166/

PTSD Overview, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/

Prevalence and Correlates of Cannabis Use in an Outpatient VA Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Clinic, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5029083/

The endocannabinoid system: an overview: 

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00009/full