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Summary: The prevalence of cannabis use in women of childbearing age is increasing drastically, likely related to increased legalization. Cannabis use during pregnancy is likely associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, and long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes, although data have significant limitations. Providers should screen for cannabis use and CUD regularly and counsel women about the known and unknown data regarding outcomes. It is important to identify co-occurring mental health disorders (Source: Advances in Psychiatry & Behavioural Health – 2023)
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The prevalence of cannabis use is rising among the US population.1 As cannabis continues to be legalized throughout the USA, people are turning to the internet and social media for information about its potential health benefits.2,3 In this study, we characterize internet claims about the health benefits of cannabis use in the lay press and evaluate the evidence base supporting those claims.
Social contagion based experimentation with cannabis is incredibly risky, especially when patients turn to ‘Social Media Pot Physicians’ The Journal of General Internal Medicine found that fewer than 5% of claims made for cannabis on the internet were true; more than 80% were patently false. (Source: Internet Claims on the Health Benefits of Cannabis Use - PMC (nih.gov)
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Research Reveals…Of the 30 melatonin gummy brands meeting the inclusion criteria, 4 were unavailable for purchase and 1 did not contain “melatonin” on the actual label; therefore, 25 products were analyzed. One product did not contain detectable levels of melatonin but did contain 31.3 mg of CBD. In the remaining products, the quantity of melatonin ranged from 1.3 mg to 13.1 mg per serving size (Table). In products that contained melatonin, the actual quantity of melatonin ranged from 74% to 347% of the labeled quantity. Twenty-two of 25 products (88%) were inaccurately labeled, and only 3 products (12%) contained a quantity of melatonin that was within ±10% of the declared quantity. Five products declared CBD as an ingredient, and the quantity of CBD ranged from 10.6 mg to 31.3 mg per serving. The actual quantity of CBD ranged from 104% to 118% of the labeled quantity. Serotonin was not detected in any product.
(Non-clinically trialled and harmful Cannabinoid products are being unleashed into communities because of the ‘vote for medicine’ model – Next to no science – no credibility – no care for harms done!)
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Marijuana Is Not the Solution for PTSD — Evidence shows it does not treat PTSD in the long-term, and may worsen symptoms
A growing number of states have identified post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an approved condition for medical marijuana. According to Colorado's Medical Marijuana Registryopens in a new tab or window, there are 70,533 patients as of February 2023 with an active medical marijuana registration in the state, and 10,734 of them indicate PTSD as the reason they are using medical marijuana. This is despite the lack ofopens in a new tab or window any high-quality, randomized, controlled studies proving that marijuana helps PTSD in the long-term. Because of this lack of evidence, the American Psychiatric Association adopted a policyopens in a new tab or window in 2019 opposed to using medical cannabis treatment for PTSD.
While many people find that cannabis seems to initially help PTSD symptoms, it likely does this by providing some temporary relief, numbing the individual and disconnecting them from the traumatic emotions. However, to keep the symptoms at bay, the individual often needs to use daily, sometimes multiple times a day, which can then set them up for significant consequences associated with daily cannabis use, such as cannabis use disorder (CUD), psychotic symptoms, cognitive problems, suicidal ideation, worsening depression and anxiety, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.
Outcomes of Marijuana Use for PTSD: A Review of the Literature
The problems with regular cannabis use in those with PTSD were demonstrated by a 2020 studyopens in a new tab or window from Canada in which anonymous data was obtained from a phone app, Strainprint. In the study, 404 medical cannabis users, self-identified as having PTSD, used the app to track symptoms of intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, irritability, and anxiety. The users would then indicate the strain of cannabis they were about to use and the effects on their symptoms. The results indicated that acute cannabis intoxication provided temporary relief from intrusions, flashbacks, irritability, and anxiety. However, baseline PTSD symptom ratings did not change over time, and the researchers detected evidence that people used higher doses over time to manage anxiety, indicating the development of tolerance to the drug. They concluded that while these results indicate that cannabis may reduce PTSD symptoms in the short-term, it may not be an effective long-term remedy for the disorder.
There have been an increasing number of studies demonstrating that the use of marijuana can worsen PTSD over time. An observational studyopens in a new tab or window assessed 2,276 veterans treated in VA PTSD treatment programs at the time of intake and then again 4 months after discharge. They found that those who had been using marijuana prior to the program but stopped had the lowest level of PTSD symptoms 4 months post-discharge, and second lowest were those who never used marijuana. Those who started using marijuana again after the treatment program had the highest levels of violent behavior, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms.
A more recent studyopens in a new tab or window using the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) data on 4,069 U.S. military veterans from around the country found that frequent cannabis use worsens PTSD symptoms in veterans. Those who used cannabis frequently were roughly twice as likely to screen positive for co-occurring major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and suicidal ideation. They also showed small-to-moderate decrements in cognitive functioning.