Cannabis improves symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in an observational study

According to an observational study by scientists of MaReNa Diagnostic and Consulting Center in Bat-Yam, Israel, presented at the Cannabinoid Conference 2011 in Bonn, Germany, the use of cannabis may improve symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. As a part of their routine consulting work, they assessed the mental condition of 79 adult PTSD patients, who applied to the Ministry of Health in order to obtain a license for the medical use of cannabis. Only part of them (about 50 per cent) got cannabis licenses and constitutes the study group. They were followed for a period of about two years.

The majority of PTSD patients also used conventional medications, prescribed by their treating physicians. The cannabis daily dosage was about 2-3 grams per day. In most cases a significant improvement in quality of life and pain, with some positive changes in severity of posttraumatic stress disorder was observed. The patients reported a discontinuation or lowering of the dosage of pain killers and sedatives. The majority of improved PTSD patients belonged to groups with either additional pain and/or depression. Researchers concluded that "results show good tolerability and other benefits (...) particularly, in the patients with either pain and/or depression comorbidity."

More abstracts:

Abstract book of the Cannabinoid Conference 2011:
- http://www.cannabis-med.org
- http://www.cannabis-med.org/meeting/Bonn2011/abstractbook.pdf

(Source: Reznik I. Medical cannabis use in post-traumatic stress disorder: a naturalistic observational study. Abstract presented at the Cannabinoid Conference 2011, 8-10 September, Bonn, Germany.)


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