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FDA Approves PTSD Cannabis Study

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]he U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally approved a study that will examine how cannabis consumption can impact Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

According to Healio, the study, which is led by famed cannabis researcher Dr. Sue Sisley and research group Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), received $2.15 million in funding from the University of Colorado. This particular study is said to be the world’s first controlled clinical trial that will analyze how smokable cannabis can impact PTSD. It’s important to note that Sisley is ready to conclude the first phase of the study, but phase two can now begin thanks to the FDA’s grant.

“I was dismissive and judgmental; then I started losing a lot of vets in my practice to suicide, and it became a big wake-up call,” Sisley told Healio. “The veteran community has a higher rate of prescription drug overdose, and many vets discovered they can substitute cannabis for the more addictive medications they’ve been prescribed, which is how we started to examine this.”

Sisley struggled for seven years to be taken seriously and get funding for her research before finally receiving her grant. Her study will include 60 veterans who are randomly assigned to either use high-THC cannabis, high-CBD cannabis, one-to-one ratio cannabis that contains equal parts THC and CBD or a placebo. Trial users will first undergo a familiarization stage, where they will self-administer in a safe setting. After that, they can take the cannabis or placebo home and use it on their own.

PTSD is a medical condition that many veterans suffer from, and have found cannabis to be a useful tool in treatment. Recently, New York officials added PTSD to their list of qualifying medical conditions and Minnesota lawmakers decided to allow cannabis for medical use to treat PTSD as well. However, it is still a contentious treatment option. The Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Phoenix recently blocked participation in such a PTSD study and called the concept of looking into the treatment option worthless.” Although this is a major milestone, it is clear that advocates still have a long way to go.

Those interested in participating in the study are encouraged to get in touch with those conducting it via the MAPS website.

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