All posts tagged: Veterans

Veterans Using Cannabis Medicinally More Likely to have PTSD than Recreational Users

Title: Medicinal versus Recreational Cannabis Use among Returning Veterans

In Summary:

A recent study found significant mental and physical health differences between veterans who use cannabis that they label as “medicinal” use versus those who prefer to label their use as “recreational.” Veterans who feel that they are self-medicating with cannabis, in what they believe fits more closely with a “medical” label are five times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nearly four times more likely to suffer from Major Depressive Disorder, and are more likely to experience Insomnia, or trouble sleeping. Furthermore, a majority of veterans medicating with cannabis suffer from conditions that qualify them to receive a medical marijuana registration card. Even so, they tend to refrain from discussing their interest in access with their doctors, out of fear of losing their valuable VA benefits.

Dr. Caplan and the #MDTake:

Over the years, countless veterans have valiantly and courageously dedicated themselves to missions of support for their fellow men, women, and country. In preparation, training, service, battle, leadership, education, and so many other ways, veterans have given back to their culture in a way few others can. The understanding that they may be shunned by their culture for seeking help, related to the suffering they may have experienced while serving their country, is unconscionable. It is shameful that the government and military have not appreciated and supported the easy opportunity to give back to our veterans, and it is long overdue that the culture gives back to those who have given a piece of themselves so that others may share the liberties they have served to uphold.

group differences between medicinal and recreational cannabis users in diagnoses, cannabis-related problems, reasons for using marijuana, and other health-related and substance use outcomes

characteristics of medicinal cannabis users

characteristics of medicinal cannabis users

characteristics of medicinal cannabis users

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2MKhksv     inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDVeterans Using Cannabis Medicinally More Likely to have PTSD than Recreational Users
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Spinal Cord Injury and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Use Cannabis to Manage Symptoms

Cannabis Use in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury or Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Colorado

In Summary:

Spinal cord injury patients report that medical cannabis helped them alleviate many symptoms of their injury including spasticity, pain, sleep disruptions, stress, and anxiety. Traumatic brain injury patients list their reason for use as reducing stress/anxiety and improving sleep. Both groups of patients reported recreational use prior to and following injury for a variety of reasons.

Dr. Caplan and the #MDTake:

Healing from traumatic injuries is never solely a matter of local tissue changes. The injured tissues, and the experience of being injured create ripple effects which can disrupt multiple other organ systems, and the entire experience of normalcy. A chemical stress response is one of the most common (and often adaptive) responses to an injury, but the burden of stress, adapting to a new illness, and associated loss of normalcy and sleep can be disastrous to the process of healing. As anxiety and sleeplessness snowball into daily problems themselves, a kernel of injury sometimes amplifies to become a life-altering change.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2IXaXzP      inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDSpinal Cord Injury and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Use Cannabis to Manage Symptoms
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Video: Medical Cannabis Around the Globe & Across Centuries

Throughout the ages, from health & wellness, religious rituals, and textile applications to the entertainment and social elements, cannabis has been a vital part of multiple sectors of human culture.

For millions, the modern cannabis revival is a welcome return home to a core element that has been missing for years.

 

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2l4Vgxq    inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDVideo: Medical Cannabis Around the Globe & Across Centuries
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Seniors, in assisted living, and Cannabis

State laws in Florida allow card-holding seniors to use cannabis, but federally-subsidized senior homes must go against status-quo to allow this. The benefits are not being denied, but if they want to participate in Medicare then cannabis use comes with great risk. http://bit.ly/2LmKJZg

Benjamin Caplan, MDSeniors, in assisted living, and Cannabis
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John Boehner: From Speaker of the House to Cannabis Pitchman

John Boehner, the former speaker of the House, has spent his career opposing legalized marijuana. But now he sits on the board of Acreage Holdings, a marijuana investment firm whose profits hinge on Mr. Boehner’s ability to persuade Congress to legalize marijuana. The politician says that his views have “evolved,” and that he hopes cannabis will help veterans who suffer from PTSD as well as people who struggle with insomnia. #veterans #PTSD #insomnia
https://nyti.ms/2WlbpR0

Benjamin Caplan, MDJohn Boehner: From Speaker of the House to Cannabis Pitchman
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