The University of Arizona has been granted approval from the Obama administration for medical marijuana research to examine whether pot can aid in the recovery of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress. Suzanne A. Sisley, a researcher and clinical assistant professor at The University of Arizona College of Medicine, had been attempting to get approval […]
The University of Arizona has been granted approval from the Obama administration for medical marijuana research to examine whether pot can aid in the recovery of veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress.
Suzanne A. Sisley, a researcher and clinical assistant professor at The University of Arizona College of Medicine, had been attempting to get approval for her research on PTSD for three years and she just received the green light. Outside of the lab, she works as a psychiatrist and physician, working closely with patients who suffer from PTSD. The only prescription that has helped dampen the side effects of post-traumatic stress is marijuana.
“We never relented, but most other scientists have chosen not to even apply. The process is so onerous. With the implementation of this study and the data generated, this could lead to other crucial research projects.” – Dr. Sisley
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), of the 18 applications to obtain marijuana for medical research, 2 were submitted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). MAPS is the driving force behind Sisley, and together they hope to develop a federally approved prescription medicine.
Prior to the new approval of medical marijuana research at the University of Arizona, the effects of weed have only been tested from one government-run farm in Mississippi, yielding extremely limited data to the public. According to the University of Mississippi, NIDA, the agency that oversees the farm, has been dismissive of any approach towards research towards finding benefits of the drug.
1 million Americans are using marijuana legally to treat their ailments, yet the federal restrictions on pot research are keeping them from receiving the optimal strains per ailment. Due to limitations set by the federal government, we haven’t been able to conduct long-term, multi-faceted research to present to the public. This has resulted in children being denied of the drug, because we have not yet documented how the use of cannabis will effect them during important developmental stages.
Overseas, their levels of approval are not as difficult to obtain as their perspective is, well, logical. As the UN protocol states, “the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to [be] indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering.” From cannabis oral sprays to topical prescriptions, weed is typically used to treat a range of ailments and now, depression and stress.
Israeli neuroscientist and discoverer of thc, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam explains when treating those with PTSD, marijuana would serve the purpose of ‘memory extinction’, helping sufferers defer their nightmarish bouts. Pair this prescription with counseling, and PTSD sufferers may have a new lease on life.
Sisley’s research still requires DEA approval, but we look forward to having the evidence we need to hold a government-worthy argument, being scientifically proven over a period of time and trials. Of course, there is one more hoop for the Sisley-MAPS team to jump through: receiving cannabis for their research. NIDA, just like the rest of the greed-driven United States, is threatened, as it holds a monopoly over medical marijuana. They typically have a hard time with sharing.
Now, how will this research be conducted? A great amount of research will be done by natural ingestion, but we at Lexichronic are just as curious to know if smoking versus vaporization will have different effects in veterans experiencing PTSD? What about varying ratios of cbd and THC? Our inquiring minds will keep you updated.
We have every reason to believe that this development in Arizona will act as a catalyst for further research. Currently, U.S. doctors are prescribing marijuana use on the basis of evidence that is mostly anecdotal. Sisley’s work will educate and influence medical practitioners across the United States, as a majority of prescriptions are based on personal accounts and not federally recognized research.
An estimated 5,000 veterans die by suicide each year. 300,000 veterans in the U.S. who suffer from PTSD are accounted for, though it is safe for us to assume that there are plenty more facing this crippling ailment unknowingly because of that era’s lack of proper diagnosis. A majority of those who suffer from PTSD are homeless, incapable of functioning in the normalcy of our society like holding a job or healthy relationships. The shadow cast by post-traumatic stress on the U.S. has a chance to be lifted, and very well can be alleviated by the use of medical marijuana – Big Pharma just hasn’t found an avenue to monetize it yet.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, Arizona Department of Health Services, VICE, NORML, Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access