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. 2022 Apr;7(2):214-223.
doi: 10.1089/can.2020.0056. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

The Long-Term, Prospective, Therapeutic Impact of Cannabis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Marcel O Bonn-Miller  1 , Megan Brunstetter  2 , Alex Simonian  2 , Mallory J Loflin  3   4 , Ryan Vandrey  5 , Kimberly A Babson  6 , Hal Wortzel  7   8
Affiliations

The Long-Term, Prospective, Therapeutic Impact of Cannabis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Marcel O Bonn-Miller et al. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2022 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Given the increasing availability and use of cannabis among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the addition of PTSD as an eligible diagnosis in several U.S. medical cannabis programs, the efficacy of dispensary-obtained cannabis needs to be thoroughly examined. Materials and Methods: This prospective study assessed PTSD symptoms and functioning every 3 months over the course of a year in two samples of participants diagnosed with PTSD: (1) those with PTSD using dispensary-obtained cannabis (cannabis users) and (2) those with PTSD, who do not use cannabis (controls). Linear mixed-effects models and generalized estimating equations tested whether trajectories of symptoms differed between the two subsamples. Results: A total of 150 participants (mean [standard deviation] age, 50.67 [15.26] years; 73% male) were enrolled in the study. Over the course of 1 year, the cannabis users reported a greater decrease in PTSD symptom severity over time compared to controls [group×time interaction=-0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI]=-0.59 to -0.05, R2=0.13; t=-2.35, p=0.02). Participants who used cannabis were 2.57 times more likely to no longer meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD at the end of the study observation period compared to participants who did not use cannabis (95% CI=1.12-6.07; p=0.03). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the types of cannabis available in recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries might hold promise as an alternative treatment for PTSD. Randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to assess safety and determine how different preparations of cannabis impact PTSD and functioning.

Keywords: PTSD; cannabis; control; longitudinal; post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author M.O.B.-M. is an employee of Canopy Growth Corporation, during which time he has received stock options, serves on the Board of Directors for AusCann Group Holdings Limited, was a prior employee of Zynerba Pharmaceuticals, and has received consulting fees from Tilray, Inc. Author M.B. is an employee of Canopy Growth Corporation who, in the course of her employment, has received stock options. Author M.J.L. is on the scientific advisory board for FSD Pharma and has received consulting fees from Greenwich Biosciences in the past 2 years. Author R.V. is on the scientific advisory board for FSD Pharma and receives consulting fees from Canopy Growth Corporation and Zynerba Pharmaceuticals. Author K.A.B. is an employee of Jazz Pharmaceuticals who, in the course of her employment, has received stock options exercisable for, and other stock awards of, ordinary shares of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. Authors A.S. and H.W. declare no conflicts to report.

Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Estimated PTSD symptom severity scores by group, adjusted by age and veteran status. PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Fitted survival probability of retaining PTSD diagnosis (dx) by group, adjusted for age and veteran status.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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