Posted on 05/28/2018 11:14:22 AM PDT by Mariner
Veterans from across the country will be gathering in our nation's capital on Memorial Day this year to not only honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but to advocate for a cause that isn't typically associated with our nation's heroes -- the legalization of marijuana.
The veterans and advocates taking part in the Memorial Day Veterans Rally DC hope to change the stigma that surrounds cannabis, the preferred term for marijuana among advocates, by arguing that this alternative medicine is already helping some vets treat issues like PTSD, chronic pain and depression -- all without the use of dangerous & addictive prescription drugs like opioids. One of their rallying cries is "plants over pills," and they're not just coming from the usual legal pot hot-spots like Colorado.
The speakers are traveling from places as far west as Alaska, as far south as Texas, and as far north as New England to support the cause, and to share their stories of how legal marijuana helped ease their pain, alleviate symptoms of PTSD, and even get back into the workforce. Among those scheduled to speak are one of the first responders to the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, the mother of a 24-year-old Marine who took his own life after battling PTSD, and the owner of a veteran-operated cannabis company dedicated to "medical cannabis for military veterans."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Well gee between that and drinking like a fish it sounds like you’ll all be mentally healthy..../s
Oh yeah right because anecdotal evidence is always the best
From the VA.
No randomized trials.
Of note, such trials are ILLEGAL.
“Marijuana as a Treatment for PTSD
The belief that marijuana can be used to treat PTSD is limited to anecdotal reports from individuals with PTSD who say that the drug helps with their symptoms. There have been no randomized controlled trials, a necessary “gold standard” for determining efficacy. Administration of oral CBD has been shown to decrease anxiety in those with and without clinical anxiety (18). This work has led to the development and testing of CBD treatments for individuals with social anxiety (19), but not yet among individuals with PTSD. With respect to THC, one open trial of 10 participants with PTSD showed THC was safe and well tolerated and resulted in decreases in hyperarousal symptoms (20). “
Look at what this researcher has to go through...
However, the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming.
“That’s not a reason to legalize.”
The Federal prohibition on marijuana will be overturned before this decade is out. The majority of American people will have their way. Those who oppose will be SOL.
But that has nothing to do with this thread. This thread is about the medical benefits to PTSD vets.
Anecdotal “evidence” ain’t
Israel has been at the forefront of PTSD and cannabis for years now. Of course, when just about everyone is a veteran, the BS tends to get cut real quick.
Get over it snowflake.
Im going through chemo now. If it werent for mj I would have no appetite and would be puking my guts out.
It pleasures me to know that you are seething over the imminent, nationwide legalization of pot.
That said, what other evidence could there possibly be for the relief of PTSD symptoms?
I’m pretty sure nobody ever ran a double blind study on whether whiskey relieves PTSD, but anyone who has it will tell you it does.
There are better validated methods of dealing with PTSD
You seem to be trying to read my mind. Too bad you are inaccurate. I am seething over nothing. Merely stating what is currently known. There are other methods of treating PTSD that have been validated and are particularly efficacious. They do not involve drugs.
How do you think those efficacious treatments were validated?
They were validated by the afflicted reporting relief.
They were able to sleep. They were less anxious. They didn’t have to drink as much.
All, 100% subjective.
Yet, WRT another treatment, one which you dislike, we must discount these subjective reports.
Yes, your motivations are apparent.
Read about emery, CBR,MMDA, and a view other treatments that have been through clinical trials
Pot has enough negative effects,particularly the street drug version, as to be contraindicated
Until you have exhausted all the other treatments...which for vets is free of charge at many facilities ...then all you are doing is advocating that people get yoked up.
Opioids are plant based, just like marijuana.
“Opioids are plant based, just like marijuana.”
And if you have severe, acute pain there is no substitute.
The only acronym you stated that translates on Yahoo is MMDA, a psychedelic drug.
Still, ALL treatments rely on self reporting on symptoms. All of them.
Try doing some research and read the literature
If your go to is pot instead of seeking actual treatment you are cheating yourself
Pot is only for the relief of symptoms, and should not be considered a “cure”.
And is certainly no substitute for group therapy and/or CBT.
It does relieve symptoms for many, and sometimes that’s enough to keep them in the program.
I’ve read the literature. And I’ve participated in the VA programs.
If PTSD wasn't such an easy malady to fake, the treatment methods results wouldn't be so easy to fake. I have been in more than one VA facility waiting room and even a few group sessions where the majority of the chatter was what to tell the shrink to work for that golden 100% rating. These 'studies' will produce whatever results the study managers want.
As far as treatments, do I really care if i'm T-boned on the road by a stoned driver, drunk driver or oxycontin buzzed driver, anti depressant drugged driver ? Nope! They're all bad results. The bad outcome that this PTSD diagnosing flood can produce in the long run will be when it gets categorized as a serious mental illness. That they will find a bitter pill to swallow as mental health maladies are at the forefront of the 'you cannot take care of yourself' age. Can't handle your money, can't drive, can't have a gun et al.
Personally I think a VA golden 100% rating will come back to bite the recipients as the liberal state decides they are too mentally ill to exist.
Eye move desensitization reprogramming (emery) is more effective as is individualized cognitive behavior therapy (cat). They have been testing and following treatments with MMDA and a couple of other psychedelics that may have promise. Those studies are for short term intensive treatment
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