PTSD Q&A

If you can’t stop the nightmares or flashbacks from a traumatic event, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana, Peter Candelora, MD, specializes in diagnostic evaluations that meet the requirements of Louisiana’s medical marijuana program. During an evaluation, Dr. Candelora can determine if this alternative therapy can relieve PTSD symptoms when traditional medications aren’t working well. Call the office in Metairie, Louisiana, to schedule a PTSD consultation or book an appointment online today.

What is PTSD?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after you experience or witness a traumatic event. You may develop PTSD symptoms soon after the event, or they can show up months or years later.

PTSD symptoms can range in severity from mild to debilitating and include:

• Guilt
• Irritability
• Nightmares
• Hopelessness
• Recurring thoughts
• Flashbacks of the event
• Loss of interest in usual activities

Avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the event is also a common side effect of PTSD. You may also be easily startled or scared.

Traditionally, treatments for PTSD involve antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications and psychotherapy (talk therapy). However, medications don’t work well for some with persistent PTSD symptoms.

If you’re not finding relief from your symptoms, Dr. Candelora can determine if you might benefit from medical marijuana.

How does medical marijuana treat PTSD?

Medical marijuana is an alternative therapy to traditional prescription drugs. The marijuana Dr. Candelora uses in your treatment originates from the dried buds and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant. 

This plant contains cannabinoids, which break down into the chemicals delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC binds to the receptors in your brain and activates its natural reward center to relieve depressive symptoms of PTSD. CBD offers anti-inflammatory benefits but doesn’t make you feel high. Using medical marijuana, many people with PTSD find relief from nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and flashbacks. Marijuana may also improve your quality of sleep.

How do I qualify for medical marijuana to treat PTSD?

Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana offers comprehensive health evaluations to qualify you for Louisiana’s medical marijuana program. Dr. Candelora follows the state guidelines to determine if this alternative therapy can relieve PTSD symptoms when other therapies aren’t working.

As part of your evaluation, Dr. Candelora reviews your medical history, your current health, and the severity of your PTSD symptoms. If you qualify, he sends a prescription to a dispensary in the state, so you can pick it up.

Under Louisiana law, only non-smokable, non-raw marijuana is available for use in medical treatments, so you may receive a prescription for:

• Oils
• Tinctures
• Chewables
• Pills
• Suppositories
• Solutions
• Suspensions
• Skin patches
• Sprays
• Lotions
• Extracts
• Metered-dose inhalers

Dr. Candelora helps you choose the most effective delivery system and determines the correct dosage to relieve your symptoms of PTSD.

To schedule a medical marijuana evaluation for PTSD symptoms, call Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana to schedule an appointment or book a consultation online today.