People who have gone through traumatic events in the past are the ones prone to PTSD. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a severe form of anxiety associated with severe stress. This condition creates panic and fear not only of the past events but also in everyday situations making it hard for people to lead normal lives.
PTSD can affect anyone, including war veterans, accident victims, abusive children, assault survivors, or victims of violence. People who get diagnosed with this disorder usually get sober and start to avoid the stimuli that remind them of the traumatic event.
PTSD treatments are available and they include cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressants, exposure therapy among others. Also, CBD for PTSD is getting more and more attention lately.
Can CBD for PTSD Be Used for PTSD Treatment?
Many people suffering from PTSD are curious whether CBD works. Some of them give it a try when they do not get the results expected when using prescribed medication. CBD is well known for relieving anxiety and reducing stress, both symptoms associated with this disorder.
While several studies have to be conducted before making any conclusion about CBD effects on PTSD patients, there are testimonies from people who claim that taking CBD oil has helped them with their condition.
Does CBD Help Treat PTSD?
Treating PTSD can be difficult since it is a mental condition. To be diagnosed with this disorder, patients need to go through psychological tests. CBD can be used for treatment when there is not much progress in the therapy sessions or when symptoms are severe.
CBD helps in two ways. First, it reduces the symptoms of PTSD by being an anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory compound. Second, CBD can help reduce stress levels especially in patients who are not getting good results with traditional medication.
Health Benefits
There are health benefits that users can collect from CBD. These include:
Pain relief. CBD oil for PTSD can lessen pain, especially that associated with inflammation, arthritis, nerve pain, and seizures.
Sleep aid. Having difficulty sleeping is a symptom common in PTSD cases. Taking CBD can help relax the muscles making it easier to fall asleep. It also improves sleep quality, making it more refreshing.
Stress relief. CBD oil for PTSD helps patients lessen their stress and anxiety levels, making them live a normal life.
It can also help relieve bone and joint pain and inflammation which is common in conditions like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and other autoimmune disorders.
Read more: Best CBD Oil for Migraines & Headaches
Side Effects
If you get many health benefits from CBD, you should also expect side effects to occur. These include:
Dry mouth. As CBD oil for PTSD enters the bloodstream, it can cause dryness of your mouth and make you feel thirsty more often. Soaking your lips in honey or drinking lots of water can help because it prevents cell dehydration.
Mood changes. CBD oil for PTSD may affect your moods making you feel either more excited (in cases of anxiety) or drowsy (in cases of pain). It is best to take this medication at night and avoid driving.
Other side effects include:
- Headaches
- Weakness and fatigue
- Diarrhea
Getting the Right CBD Dose
If you want to achieve the best results from CBD, then the right dose should be taken. The right dose will depend on your weight and medical condition.
To get rid of anxiety and pain, you can take 5 to 10 mg of CBD once a day. When using the oil, you need to drop it under the tongue or put it in your homemade food or beverages. You should keep taking CBD until your symptoms fade away.
Tolerance levels can be developed if you take CBD every day, so it is advisable not to overdo it. The potential problems that come with using this oil are not yet well-known but taking the right dose will help avoid them.
THC or CBD for PTSD: Which One to Choose?
Both THC and CBD for PTSD are helpful in the treatment. But if you have to choose between the two, you should consider your medical condition.
THC is the psychoactive component that can make you feel high or stoned. Using THC can also cause addiction, which makes it not suitable for patients under treatment.
On the other hand, CBD does not have psychoactive components so you will not get high if you take this compound. It is safe for patients to use but it does not provide instant relief.
Both work but give different effects. If you can handle the “high ” feeling that THC gives, then you can go with products for PTSD with THC. Otherwise, it is best to go with CBD for PTSD.
Read more: How Old Do You Have to be to Buy CBD?
How are CBD Products Used?
CBD products are available in a lot of forms. You can choose from pills, capsules, vapes, and even topical creams. The way to use these products vary. And so is the dose and time of use.
CBD oil for PTSD can be taken between twice a day and once in three days. The dosage depends on the way it is dispensed and the form of CBD oil you use.
For vaping, you take one to two puffs in four to six hours depending on your preferred relief time.
Capsules may already contain the right dose. If not, you can take two to four capsules in six hours.
Tinctures are the weakest form of CBD since one to two drops contain less than 10mg of CBD and four ounces contain about 50 mg only. You need to take more drops depending on your body weight and the severity of your symptoms.
Topical CBD pain relief is applied to the skin. It takes time to work but provides powerful pain-relieving effects.
Read more: CBD for Acid Reflux: Can it Help?
To Wrap It Up
CBD can be used in the treatment of PTSD. This is an effective component in relieving stress and anxiety which often make the condition worse. It is among the safest options to choose from because it does not have psychoactive components that can cause addiction. Any person suffering from PTSD will find CBD helpful in their treatment.
If you want to know how CBD can help you, please comment below.