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CBD benefits for military and veterans

CBD benefits for military and veterans

09/03/2023

They risk their lives for the sake of our future. Our heroes — soldiers and veterans are the most important people in the country. And it is our duty as a society to ensure that everyone who has been at the front would return to a healthy peaceful life.

Physical and mental stress that military personnel face every day at work causes a complex impact on their health. According to US statistics, every fourth military member has mental health issues [1]. These are primarily: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and traumatic brain injury. As a result of these, memory and concentration deteriorate, behavior becomes impulsive, planning and events assessment becomes difficult. In addition, emotional and physical condition worsens. Particularly, brain injury causes irritability, anger, depression, insomnia, anxiety, headache, nausea, convulsions, weakness in the limbs, impaired coordination, excessive sensitivity to light or touch [2].

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of hemp, which effectiveness was tested by numerous studies. Among other uses, CBD is considered for the supplement treatment of PTSD [3]. Recently, a small study showed promising results: 11 PTSD patients took CBD (in a flexible dosage regimen) for 8 weeks. Every 4 weeks, patients were surveyed about the intensity of their PTSD symptoms: 10 of 11 participants (91%) experienced a reduction in PTSD symptoms: the mean total score decreased by 28% [4].

Another clinical trial is currently underway, it will enlist a larger group of participants (150) to test the ability of CBD oil (300 mg/mg per day, 30-day course) to reduce PTSD symptoms [5].

While more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBD in the treatment of PTSD, other therapeutic properties of cannabidiol are already known. CBD has multiple positive effects that would be useful particularly during the rehabilitation of military personnel.

How does CBD work?

CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agent, it also has analgesic and antioxidant properties [6]. Because of these, CBD has a positive effect on the nervous system [7]. In addition, CBD is safe and has no significant side effects compared to many medications, especially sedatives and pain relievers [8]. Side effects from CBD usually appear only at quite high doses (1000-1500 mg/day), and are mild and easily tolerated. CBD does not alter consciousness and cannot cause an addiction (because it is non-psychoactive). On the contrary: CBD might help to reduce dependence on nicotine, alcohol and other substances [9].

Why does the military need CBD?

Cannabidiol is beneficial for anyone going through physical and emotional stress. In the human body, CBD interacts with a large number of different receptors, enzymes and other molecules [10]. The effects of CBD are mild but noticeable. CBD is able to improve sleep, reduce chronic pain, relieve anxiety and depressive mood [11]. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD benefits many body functions, it is particularly useful for muscles and bones [12]. And most importantly, CBD is a bliss for the nervous system: it protects neurons from death (neuroprotection), promotes the development of new neurons (neurogenesis) and improves neural connections (synaptic plasticity) [13]. Regular use of CBD will help the body to deal with exhausting work and might as well minimize complications from the potential injuries [14]. The therapeutic effects of CBD will ensure a speedy recovery and rehabilitation [15].

Veterans communities in the US are calling on the government to increase support for the research into therapeutic effects of CBD.

Cannabidiol, according to veterans themselves, improves their quality of life, and many veterans use CBD regularly: “We believe it’s just like any other vitamin, a supplement to add to your toolbox, to manage stress, level off anxiety, and maintain good sleep patterns" [16].

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572092/

2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/disea...

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163724000163?utm_source

5. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/...

6. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.n....

7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pm...

8. https://www.mayoclinic.org/health...

9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

10. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/fu...

11. https://www.healthline.com/nut....