Cannabis use was common among Canadian military members seeking mental health treatment
Among 415 Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans at a mental health clinic, cannabis use was prevalent and associated with younger age, PTSD, and self-medication motivations.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use was common among treatment-seeking CAF members and veterans, with users more likely to be younger, have PTSD diagnoses, and report using cannabis specifically for symptom relief.
Key Numbers
415 CAF members and veterans at a specialized mental health clinic in Ontario. Cannabis users were younger and more likely to carry PTSD diagnoses.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional analysis of intake data from 415 Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans attending a specialized outpatient mental health clinic in Ontario. Examined prevalence and correlates of current cannabis use.
Why This Research Matters
Military personnel and veterans with PTSD are turning to cannabis in growing numbers despite limited evidence for its effectiveness. Understanding who uses and why informs clinical conversations and research priorities.
The Bigger Picture
Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, and military/veteran populations face unique mental health burdens. The intersection of legalization, PTSD prevalence, and limited evidence-based treatments creates a situation where cannabis use may fill a perceived treatment gap.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Cross-sectional design from a single clinic. Treatment-seeking population may not represent all CAF members and veterans. Self-reported cannabis use may be affected by social desirability. Cannot determine whether cannabis use preceded or followed mental health conditions.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis use help or hinder PTSD treatment outcomes for military personnel?
- ?Would providing evidence-based cannabis guidance in military mental health settings improve outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 415 Canadian Armed Forces members/veterans surveyed at mental health clinic
- Evidence Grade:
- Single-site cross-sectional study. Useful for characterizing a specific population but limited generalizability and no causal inference possible.
- Study Age:
- Published 2022.
- Original Title:
- Correlates of cannabis use in a sample of mental health treatment-seeking Canadian armed forces members and veterans.
- Published In:
- BMC psychiatry, 23(1), 836 (2023)
- Authors:
- St Cyr, Kate, Nazarov, Anthony, Le, Tri, Nouri, Maede, Saha, Priyonto, Forchuk, Callista A, Soares, Vanessa, Wanklyn, Sonya G, Bird, Brian M, Davis, Brent D, King, Lisa, Ketcheson, Felicia, Richardson, J Don
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04957
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do military veterans use cannabis for PTSD?
In this Canadian study, veterans with PTSD were more likely to use cannabis than those without PTSD, and many reported using it specifically for symptom relief. This mirrors findings from other military populations, though robust evidence that cannabis improves PTSD outcomes is still lacking.
Is cannabis an effective treatment for PTSD?
The evidence is mixed and incomplete. Some people report symptom relief, particularly for sleep and hyperarousal, but clinical trials have produced inconsistent results. Current clinical guidelines generally do not recommend cannabis as a front-line PTSD treatment.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04957APA
St Cyr, Kate; Nazarov, Anthony; Le, Tri; Nouri, Maede; Saha, Priyonto; Forchuk, Callista A; Soares, Vanessa; Wanklyn, Sonya G; Bird, Brian M; Davis, Brent D; King, Lisa; Ketcheson, Felicia; Richardson, J Don. (2023). Correlates of cannabis use in a sample of mental health treatment-seeking Canadian armed forces members and veterans.. BMC psychiatry, 23(1), 836. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05237-2
MLA
St Cyr, Kate, et al. "Correlates of cannabis use in a sample of mental health treatment-seeking Canadian armed forces members and veterans.." BMC psychiatry, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05237-2
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Correlates of cannabis use in a sample of mental health trea..." RTHC-04957. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/st-2023-correlates-of-cannabis-use
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.