Review explores cannabis as potential treatment for PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders

What the researchers found

Cannabis has received attention for potential to help PTSD patients, many of whom do not respond to current pharmacological treatments. PTSD commonly co-occurs with substance use disorder, complicating treatment. Preliminary legalization data indicate cannabis use may reduce use of more harmful drugs like opioids.

Why it matters

PTSD is a leading psychiatric disorder with limited effective pharmacotherapy, and its frequent co-occurrence with substance use disorder creates a challenging treatment landscape where new approaches are needed.

The numbers in context

No specific effect sizes; the review summarizes preliminary evidence and identifies the need for rigorous clinical studies.

How the study worked

Narrative review examining the evidence for cannabinoids in PTSD and substance use disorders, including observational data from legalization contexts.

What this study cannot tell us

Primarily anecdotal and observational evidence; no completed large-scale RCTs of cannabis for PTSD at time of publication; self-medication with cannabis carries its own risks.

How to read the evidence

Narrative review of largely preliminary and observational evidence without completed large RCTs.

When this study was published

Published in 2020.

The bigger picture

If cannabis-based medicines prove effective for PTSD while also reducing reliance on more harmful substances, they could address two problems simultaneously for a population with limited treatment options.

Questions still open

• Which cannabinoid formulations are most appropriate for PTSD? Can cannabis-based treatments reduce opioid use while managing PTSD symptoms?

Common questions

Read the original research

Cannabinoids as an Emerging Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders.

Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, 37(1), 28-34

Citation

Cohen, Jacob; Wei, Zelan; Phang, Jonathan; Laprairie, Robert B; Zhang, Yanbo. (2020). Cannabinoids as an Emerging Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorders.. Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society, 37(1), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNP.0000000000000612

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