%0 Journal Article
%T The long-term, prospective, therapeutic impact of cannabis on post-traumatic stress disorder
%J Cannabis and cannabinoid research
%D 2020
%A Bonn-Miller, Marcel O.
%A Brunstetter, Megan
%A Simonian, Alex
%A Loflin, Mallory J.
%A Vandrey, Ryan
%A Babson, Kimberly A.
%A Wortzel, Hal
%V ePub
%N ePub
%P ePub-ePub
%X INTRODUCTION: Given the increasing availability and use of cannabis among individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the addition of PTSD as an eligible diagnosis in several U.S. medical cannabis programs, the efficacy of dispensary-obtained cannabis needs to be thoroughly examined. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study assessed PTSD symptoms and functioning every 3 months over the course of a year in two samples of participants diagnosed with PTSD: (1) those with PTSD using dispensary-obtained cannabis (cannabis users) and (2) those with PTSD, who do not use cannabis (controls). Linear mixed-effects models and generalized estimating equations tested whether trajectories of symptoms differed between the two subsamples. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 150 participants (mean [standard deviation] age, 50.67 [15.26] years; 73% male) were enrolled in the study. Over the course of 1 year, the cannabis users reported a greater decrease in PTSD symptom severity over time compared to controls [group×time interaction=-0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI]=-0.59 to -0.05, R(2)=0.13; t=-2.35, p=0.02). Participants who used cannabis were 2.57 times more likely to no longer meet DSM-5 criteria for PTSD at the end of the study observation period compared to participants who did not use cannabis (95% CI=1.12-6.07; p=0.03). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the types of cannabis available in recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries might hold promise as an alternative treatment for PTSD. Randomized placebo-controlled trials are needed to assess safety and determine how different preparations of cannabis impact PTSD and functioning.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Mary Ann Liebert Publishers
%@ 2578-5125
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0056