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. 2021 Jul 16;11(4):238-242.
doi: 10.9740/mhc.2021.07.238. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Effect of cannabis use on PTSD treatment outcomes in veterans

Meagan Petersen  1   2   1 , Katherine Koller  1 , Craig Straley  2 , Ellen Reed  1
Affiliations

Effect of cannabis use on PTSD treatment outcomes in veterans

Meagan Petersen et al. Ment Health Clin. .

Abstract

Introduction: Researchers have found anandamide (an endocannabinoid) and cannabinoid type 1 receptor activation encourages extinction of aversive memories. Some theorize cannabinoids such as those in cannabis may provide a new treatment approach for PTSD, while others suggest it may worsen symptomology. The objective of the current study was to determine if cannabis use impacts the success of evidence-based intensive outpatient PTSD treatment in a veteran population.

Methods: A list of veterans enrolled in the Battle Creek Veterans' Affairs Medical Center outpatient PTSD Clinical Team Clinic between October 1st, 2008 and October 1st, 2016 was obtained, and a random sample was identified. Study participants were veterans aged 18 to 85 years, with at least 2 PTSD Checklist scores, and a diagnosis of PTSD. Data collected included mental health medications, type and number of evidence-based psychotherapy used, and presence of co-occurring behavioral health diagnoses. The cannabis use group was compared to the no-cannabis-use group, and differences in variables pertaining to the relative number of treatment successes and failures was evaluated for statistical and clinical significance.

Results: The majority of patients were white (87.1%) and male (95%). The success rate was similar between the cannabis and no-cannabis-use groups (51.9% and 51.4%, respectively).

Discussion: The current study did not show that a predominantly white male veteran sample diagnosed with PTSD differed in intensive PTSD treatment success or failure based on cannabis use.

Keywords: PTSD; cannabis; posttraumatic stress disorder; trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: The authors have no financial or other disclosures to report.

Figures

FIGURE
FIGURE
Adjusted odds of successful PTSD treatment (AD = antidepressant-receiving group; MJ = cannabis group; SUD = other substance use group)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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