CBD for PTSD: How CBD Oil May Help Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health disorder that can develop after a traumatic event, such as an accident, assault, or military combat. It affects millions of people worldwide, often causing distressing symptoms like flashbacks, intense anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

While current treatment options like therapy and medication can help, they don’t work for everyone and often come with side effects. This has led researchers to explore natural alternatives, including cannabidiol (CBD)—a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis sativa plants.

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis, CBD does not cause intoxication. Instead, it works by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate stress, mood, and memory.

A recent review of scientific studies explored how CBD may help people with PTSD by changing the way the brain processes past trauma. While more research is needed, the findings suggest that CBD could help reduce symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety, disturbed sleep, and emotional distress.

What Is PTSD? Understanding the Disorder and Its Symptoms

PTSD is a mental health disorder that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While many people recover naturally over time, some continue to relive the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, and constant anxiety. These symptoms can make daily life challenging and affect both mental and physical health.

Common PTSD Symptoms:

• Intrusive thoughts: Unwanted memories or flashbacks of the trauma.

• Avoidance: Steering clear of places, people, or activities that trigger memories.

• Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, irritable, or unable to relax.

• Sleep problems: Trouble falling or staying asleep, often due to nightmares.

• Emotional numbness: Feeling disconnected from others or losing interest in activities.

Some individuals, especially those exposed to repeated trauma, develop complex PTSD, which includes additional symptoms like difficulty trusting others and deep emotional wounds.

Why Current Treatments Fall Short:
The most common ways to treat PTSD include therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy) and medications like antidepressants. However, these treatment options don’t work for everyone and can cause side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and emotional numbness.

This is where CBD may offer natural support by working with the body's endocannabinoid system to regulate stress responses and memory processing without the unwanted side effects of traditional medications.

How CBD Works for PTSD: The Role of the Endocannabinoid System

To understand how CBD could help with PTSD, it's important to know about the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a network of receptors and chemicals that help maintain balance in the body. This system plays a key role in managing stress, mood, memory, and the body's response to trauma.

The ECS has two main types of receptors:

1. CB1 receptors: Found mostly in the brain and nervous system, these receptors influence mood, memory, and anxiety levels.

2. CB2 receptors: Found in the immune system and throughout the body, these receptors play a role in managing inflammation and overall health.

How CBD May Help PTSD:
Research suggests that CBD may support the treatment of PTSD by affecting memory processing and emotional responses. It appears to work in two important ways:

1. Blocking Traumatic Memory Reconsolidation:
   Every time a traumatic memory is recalled, the brain briefly "reconsolidates" it, reinforcing the emotional response. CBD can help by interrupting this process, making the memory less distressing over time.
   

2. Promoting Memory Extinction:
   The endocannabinoid system also helps the brain “unlearn” fear-based memories through a process called extinction. Studies show that CBD may help speed up this process, allowing individuals to respond more calmly to triggers without reliving the trauma.
   

Why CBD Stands Out:
Unlike THC or some current treatments for PTSD, CBD does not cause intoxication, addiction, or significant side effects. Whether taken as CBD oil, capsules, or gummies, it offers a natural approach to supporting mental health while working alongside traditional therapies.

CBD and PTSD: Key Findings from Recent Research

The study "Cannabidiol as a Therapeutic Alternative for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" highlights promising results for using CBD as support for PTSD symptoms. Here’s what researchers discovered:

• Reducing the Emotional Impact of Traumatic Memories:
  One of the study’s most promising findings is that CBD may help lessen the emotional intensity tied to traumatic memories. When someone with PTSD recalls a traumatic event, the brain reinforces the memory, making it harder to move past the experience. CBD can help disrupt this cycle, allowing the brain to store the memory without the same emotional weight.
  

• Improving Anxiety and Sleep Disturbances:
  PTSD symptoms often include heightened anxiety and poor sleep. The study found that CBD, thanks to its anxiolytic properties, may help by calming the body’s stress response, promoting relaxation, and improving sleep quality. This could be especially useful for people who experience PTSD flashbacks and nightmares.
  

• Case Study: CBD Oil for Childhood PTSD:
  The study also included a real-world example of a 10-year-old girl with PTSD caused by trauma. After struggling with traditional treatment options, she began using CBD oil, starting with 12 mg daily and gradually increasing to 25 mg. Within weeks, her PTSD symptoms improved significantly—her anxiety decreased, sleep improved, and flashbacks became less frequent.
  

These findings suggest that CBD products, like CBD oil, may provide natural support for people with PTSD, especially when combined with therapy.

Why CBD Could Be a Game-Changer for PTSD Treatment

What makes CBD different from traditional treatments for PTSD? The study highlighted several reasons why CBD may offer a more approachable option:

• Fewer Side Effects:
  Many PTSD treatments, like antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, can cause side effects like drowsiness, mood changes, and dependency. CBD products, on the other hand, were well-tolerated in the study, even at higher doses.
  

• Supports, Not Replaces, Therapy:
  While CBD cannot cure PTSD, it can act as a support alongside therapy. The study found that CBD may help enhance exposure therapy, a common treatment where individuals gradually face trauma-related triggers in a controlled setting.
  

• Safe for Long-Term Use:
  The study showed that CBD can help manage PTSD symptoms safely over time. Participants did not develop a tolerance, meaning they didn’t need higher doses to maintain the same benefits.
  

For many, this natural approach may provide a health-focused alternative without the drawbacks of traditional PTSD treatments.

How to Take CBD for PTSD: Choosing the Right CBD Product

If you're considering CBD for PTSD, it's important to choose the right product and approach. Here’s what the study suggests:

• Choose the Right Form:
  There are several ways to take CBD, each offering different benefits:
  

• CBD oil: Provides flexible dosing and fast absorption.

• CBD gummies: Easy to dose and convenient for daily use.

• CBD patches: Offer slow, steady release throughout the day.

• Suggested Dosage:
  While there's no one-size-fits-all dose, the study found that 25 to 32 mg per day of CBD oil helped reduce PTSD symptoms. It's best to start with a low dose and gradually increase based on how you feel.
  

• Consult a Healthcare Professional:
  Before adding CBD to your routine, especially if you’re already receiving treatment for PTSD, it’s always wise to speak with a healthcare provider. They can help you find the right CBD product and dosage for your needs.
  

Conclusion: Can CBD Help Support PTSD Treatment?

While CBD cannot cure PTSD, the study highlights how it may offer natural support for managing PTSD symptoms, such as anxiety, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances. By working with the body’s endocannabinoid system, CBD products like CBD oil, gummies, and capsules may help individuals process traumatic memories more effectively while promoting a sense of calm.

The research also suggests that CBD can help complement traditional treatments for PTSD, like therapy, without the side effects often associated with medications. Whether you're exploring options for yourself or someone you care about, CBD may provide an accessible, health-focused way to find relief.

At Harmony, we believe in empowering people to take control of their mental health with safe, effective solutions. If you’re curious about how CBD may help support your wellness journey, explore our range of CBD products and find the option that fits your lifestyle.

Curious to learn more? Reach out with any questions - our team is here to help!

Sources

[1] Bitencourt RM, Takahashi RN. Cannabidiol as a Therapeutic Alternative for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: From Bench Research to Confirmation in Human Trials. Front Neurosci. 2018 Jul 24;12:502.