The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in controlling emotions and when it works properly it helps to reduce stress and anxiety. While cannabinoids may be useful in reducing anxiety and post-traumatic stress, it has been shown in mice and rats, but cannabis and a high-THC-rich substance may also trigger panic attacks. This article provides an overview of the possibility of treating cannabinoids with stress and anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder.
A chronic anxiety disorder that disables the sufferer places the greatest costs on the individual and on society as a whole. There are 4 diagnostic clusters for PTSD:
A re-experience of the symptoms – nightmares and sudden flashbacks.
Avoidance – symptoms of getting away from the event or things that are reminiscent of the event, sometimes include emotional and social withdrawal behaviors.
Patients also demonstrate negative changes in cognition.
Nervous and jumpy behavior, excessive alertness and panic.
Not all patients respond to existing therapies (eg benzodiazepines, antidepressants, adrenergic antagonists).
CB1 receptor receptor agonists (such as THC) promote the bifasic effect on anxiety. A low dose will have an anxiety-like effect and a high dose may develop a panic attack.
Cannabis is a drug that people with post-trauma need, primarily due to the failure of other treatments.
The endocannabinoid system is involved in the extinction of difficult and deterrent memories and patients with a diagnosis of PTSD report symptom relief with cannabis use:
[1]. Cannabis stimulates receptors in the frontal lobe of the cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus and activates neural pathways that reduce anxiety
[2]. In people with anxiety, there is probably a disruption of the endocannabinoid system and receptors
[3]. Cannabinoids stimulate behavior that deals with tension and anxiety
[4]. Patients with PTSD had a high frequency of attempted suicide
[5] There seems to be a link between the sensitivity of CB1 receptors in the prefrontal cortex and suicidal behavior. It is believed that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in treating the symptoms of PTSD and in the context of suicidal behavior. Many patients with post-trauma and cannabis have reported a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of suicidal thoughts, and some even report a complete cessation of suicide. Many psychiatric drugs rely on the pathways of their neurotransmitters and agonists. Modern drugs have fewer side effects than older drugs, but there is still no cure for patients. A patient who is exposed to a traumatic event and is in a post-traumatic state experiences dreams, mirrors, flashbacks and stress as a reaction to various external stimuli that return him to the stressful event. Patients try to avoid memories. They experience a bad mood, a decline in the cognitive, social and employment situation and, as a result, a decline in the economic situation. Because there is such a wide range of post-traumatic symptoms, it is very difficult to treat the condition. It affects all systems in the body, the autonomic, endocrine, cardiovascular, and other systems as a result of post-trauma
[6]. There is probably a problem with endocannabinoid anandamide (corresponding to THC from the plant) and its absorption in CB1 receptors in the brain
[7]. Post traumatic stress disorder is related to dysfunction in areas responsible for feelings, anxiety and memory in the brain (amygdala anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus), decreased hippocampus volume, and decreased ACC volume. The patient is sensitive and over-responsive
[8]. THC has a significant and selective effect on the amygdala and signals a threat to humans
[9]. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the extinction of menacing memories. Activating CB1 receptors may help patients who do not experience the stressful experience again and again
[10]. The endocannabinoid system plays a very important role in the function of the frontal cortex, which receives and processes information. This is a very important system because the activation of receptors increases the amount of serotonin (5-HT) hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which prevents depression and improves the mood of the patients
[11]. The endocannabinoid system seems to be generally important for dealing with threatening situations and not just the extinction of frightening memories
[12]. There is a variance in the effect of cannabinoids (especially THC) on anxiety, low doses reduce anxiety and high doses may increase anxiety
[13]. However, it has been shown that chronic and permanent treatment with cannabis causes neurogensis and contributes to reducing anxiety and depression
[14]. The administration of cannabinoids externally through cannabis intake affects the secretion of neurotransmitters serotonin and adrenaline. In the short term, they are important for survival and in the long term affect the cognitive state, mood and metabolism. Cannabis smoking is effective
[15] In dealing with post-trauma phenomena with influence within minutes and with very few side effects such as dry mouth, dizziness, weakness, and sometimes anxiety, symptoms that go away with use. The risk of using cannabis is small.Cannabis patients report a quality sleep without nightmares, less flashbacks a day, and less night sweats
[16]. Alcohol addiction is directly related to PTSD
[17]. Many patients find themselves dependent on alcohol to soothe symptoms. Cannabis serves as an alternative to alcohol and helps many get rid of it
[18]. Patients prefer cannabis over conventional drugs and alcohol because it helps them and has fewer side effects
[19]. Cannabis reduces aggressive behavior, anger and irritability, characteristic of PTSD patients. Some patients also have other psychiatric disorders, and cannabis is found to be effective in some patients, especially schizophrenia
[20]. Patients with schizophrenia treated with cannabis report a reduction in the incidence of Cannabis-rich cannabis strains with a low percentage of THC. Family and friends of PTSD patients report an improvement in their condition. Unfortunately, patients do not always know how to choose the appropriate varieties and there is a need for guidance and guidance in adapting the varieties to their condition. As with any medication, the patient should be instructed to pay attention to side effects and to integrate with other drugs (mainly drugs that work on the CYP 450 enzyme). Sometimes patients experience sleepiness, anxiety and sometimes paranoia, but most patients do not see these symptoms. The information presented in this article found that cannabis is effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.
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