Wayne State studying cannabis for veterans with PTSD and depression

“This study represents a critical step in addressing the mental health challenges facing veterans. By using rigorous scientific methods, we aim to understand whether cannabis can play a safe and effective role in improving veterans’ lives.” -Dr. Leslie Lundahl

The Hemp Gazette shares that Wayne State University has launched a new exploration of cannabis as a potential therapy for veterans with PTSD and depression:

While veterans make up only 8% of the USA’s adult population, they represent 15% of all adult suicide deaths.

The use of medical cannabis by veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions is nothing new. In this 2023 study, 91% of respondents reported medical cannabis helped them to experience a greater quality of life and 21% indicated they were using fewer opioids as a result of their medical cannabis use.

But it still seems consensus in the scientific community as to the efficacy of cannabis in PTSD management is yet to be achieved.

In another step to move towards that, Wayne State University was awarded three grants totalling $19.5 million in total from the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency; funded through the state’s Veteran Marijuana Research Grant Program. The funding was to support the study of potential therapeutic effects of cannabis use among veterans, aiming to determine whether it can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms of PTSD and depression.

Participating are engaging in a 12-week treatment program testing varying levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol); gauging how the treatments affect mood, mental health and overall well-being.

Warrior C.A.R.E. is a research program at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit Michigan. The overall goal of this research program is to understand how cannabis affects mental health in United States armed forces veterans.