Medical Cannabis for PTSD in Canada

There are numerous subjective reports that cannabis has a significant role to play in the treatment of PTSD, but further research is warranted to determine exactly how cannabinoids can manage symptoms and help treat the symptoms of PTSD.

The effectiveness of cannabis for PTSD may be linked to several mechanisms:

Endocannabinoid System and Fear Processing

Research suggests the endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in fear processing and extinction learning (the process of unlearning fear responses). Cannabinoids may help facilitate fear extinction and reduce the anxiety associated with traumatic memories.

Sleep Improvement

A 2013 study in Drug and Alcohol Dependence looked at the prevalence of substance use among patients who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The study found that motivation for substance use was frequently attributed to sleep difficulties. Researchers found that participants with higher PTSD scores were significantly more likely to consume cannabis to help them sleep. The study concluded that cannabis was an effective coping mechanism for subjects looking to improve their sleep patterns, although further research is warranted to determine how cannabis acts on a physiological level.

Reduction in PTSD Symptoms

Another study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs looked at reports of patients with PTSD who used cannabis to manage their symptoms. The study found that patient scores on the Clinician Administered Posttraumatic Scale for DSM-IV (CAPS) were reduced by 75% in individuals who used medical cannabis. The results found that “cannabis is associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms in some patients, and prospective, placebo-controlled study is needed to determine the efficacy of cannabis and its constituents in treating PTSD.”

A 2017 study showed that with the use of cannabis, patients saw over a 70% reduction in PTSD symptoms.

Stress and Anxiety Reduction

Cannabis, particularly CBD-dominant products, may help reduce the hyperarousal and anxiety that characterize PTSD through its effects on the body’s stress response system.

Management of Nightmares

Some cannabinoids, particularly THC, may reduce REM sleep (where most dreaming occurs), potentially reducing the frequency and intensity of trauma-related nightmares.

While research is promising, it’s important to note that more large-scale clinical trials are needed to fully understand the relationship between cannabis and PTSD treatment.

For Canadians struggling with PTSD, medical cannabis may offer several potential benefits:

Primary Symptom Management

Many patients report improvements in core PTSD symptoms, including:

• Reduced frequency and intensity of nightmares
• Decreased anxiety and hypervigilance
• Improved sleep quality and duration
• Less severe emotional responses to triggers
• Reduced irritability and anger
• Better ability to engage in daily activities
• Overall mood improvement

Complementary Therapy

Others find cannabis helpful as a complementary treatment to address the limitations or side effects of conventional PTSD treatments:

• Alternative for those who cannot tolerate psychiatric medications
• Support during particularly challenging phases of therapy
• Management of side effects from other PTSD medications
• Option when other treatments have provided incomplete relief

Potential Advantages Over Traditional Medications

While not everyone experiences these benefits, many patients report meaningful improvements in their PTSD symptoms when incorporating medical cannabis into their treatment plan under proper medical supervision.

Medical cannabis comes in various forms, each with different onset times, durations, and potential benefits for PTSD symptom management. Finding the right option depends on your specific symptoms and needs.

Oils and Tinctures

• Precise dosing capabilities
• Longer-lasting effects (4-8 hours)
• Discreet and easy to incorporate into daily routines
• Good for maintaining consistent symptom management
• Particularly useful for sleep improvement when taken before bed

Capsules

• Pre-measured doses for consistency
• Extended-release options available
• Similar to taking traditional medication
• Convenient for people with established routines
• Good option for maintaining steady cannabinoid levels throughout the day

Dry Flower (for vaporization)

• Rapid onset of effects (within minutes)
• Shorter duration (2-4 hours)
• Useful for acute anxiety episodes
• May help with sudden PTSD symptoms or triggers
• Allows for immediate relief when needed

Sprays

• Quick sublingual absorption
• Moderate duration (3-6 hours)
• Discreet and portable
• Easier to adjust dosing as needed
• Good balance between rapid onset and reasonable duration

Many PTSD patients find that a combination approach works best—perhaps using a longer-acting oil or capsule for day-long symptom management and anxiety reduction with a faster-acting option for breakthrough symptoms or trigger responses.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which forms might work best based on your specific PTSD symptoms, triggers, and previous experience with cannabis.

If you’re considering medical cannabis for PTSD in Canada, here’s how to begin the process:

1. Consider if medical cannabis may be right for you

To determine if medical cannabis may be appropriate for your situation:

•  You have been diagnosed with PTSD or have significant PTSD symptoms
•  You may have tried conventional treatments with inadequate results or experienced significant side effects
•  You must reside in Canada
•  Provincial age requirements typically align with the legal cannabis purchase age (19 in most provinces, 18 in some)

2. Book an online consultation

Our streamlined process makes it easy:

•  Schedule a video consultation with a healthcare provider
•  Complete a brief triage questionnaire after booking
•  Discuss your PTSD symptoms, treatment history, and goals

3. Receive your online prescription

If approved, you’ll receive:

•  A personalized treatment plan
•  A legal medical cannabis prescription
•  Guidance on product selection and dosing
•  Registration assistance with licensed producers
•  For qualified veterans, assistance with coverage documentation

4. Ongoing support

Our care doesn’t end with your prescription:

•  Follow-up consultations to monitor progress
•  7 day a week support by phone and email
•  Dosage adjustments as needed
•  Access to healthcare professionals for questions
•  Educational resources about cannabis and PTSD

Starting medical cannabis treatment for PTSD is a significant decision. Our team of healthcare professionals specializes in cannabis medicine and can help you navigate this process safely and effectively through online prescription services across Canada.

An important consideration for anyone with PTSD is how medical cannabis might interact with psychiatric medications and other treatments you may be using.

These interactions could affect how your medications work or potentially cause unwanted effects.

For your safety, always:

• Disclose all medications to your healthcare provider during your consultation
• Start with low doses of cannabis when using with other medications
• Monitor for any unusual effects and report them promptly
• Never adjust psychiatric medications without medical supervision

A comprehensive consultation with a healthcare provider at Apollo Cannabis is essential to ensure your treatment plan considers all aspects of your health, providing the best opportunity for successful symptom management with your online prescription.

Finding the right cannabis dosage for PTSD symptom management is a personalized process requiring individualized guidance. While we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, here are some general principles:

Starting Your Cannabis Treatment:

• Begin with minimal doses
• Start with 2.5mg THC or less (if using THC)
• Consider starting with 5-20mg CBD, which has anxiolytic properties
• Observe effects for at least 2-3 days before adjusting
• Consider timing doses around symptom patterns or triggers

Gradual adjustments:

• Increase by small increments
• Allow time between adjustments to assess the effects
• Focus on finding the minimal effective dose
• Consider different CBD:THC ratios to find what works best for your symptoms

Tracking response:

• Document dosage, timing, and effects
• Note improvements in specific PTSD symptoms
• Track sleep quality and nightmare frequency
• Record any unwanted effects or changes in anxiety levels

These general guidelines are based on standards from The College of Family Physicians of Canada but must be tailored to your specific needs by a healthcare provider during your online consultation.

Remember that cannabis affects everyone differently, and finding your optimal dosage may take time and patience. Working with a healthcare provider experienced in cannabis for PTSD can significantly improve your results when getting an online prescription in Canada.

Apollo has extensive experience working with veterans who have PTSD, and we understand the unique considerations that may apply:

Coverage Information

• Qualified Canadian Armed Forces veterans can receive 100% coverage for costs associated with a medical cannabis prescription
• We can assist with navigating Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) documentation
• Our team has experience with the specific requirements for veteran coverage

Veteran-Specific Approach

• Understanding of military culture and experience
• Awareness of co-occurring conditions common among veterans
• Coordination with other healthcare providers in the veteran healthcare system
• Recognition of unique triggers related to combat or military service

Research Participation

• Opportunities to participate in Apollo’s research on veterans and medical cannabis
• Contributing to the knowledge base that helps other veterans
• Access to latest findings and approaches

Our goal is to provide comprehensive, respectful care that acknowledges the unique experiences and needs of our veteran patients.