US military veterans often grapple with a myriad of mental and physical health concerns, including substance use disorder.
Traditional treatments frequently involve a cocktail of prescription and over-the-counter medications, which can lead to unwanted side effects and dependency issues. However, a recent study suggests that cannabis could offer a promising alternative.
The study, published in Clinical Therapeutics in June 2023, surveyed 510 US veterans about their health conditions, medical treatments, and cannabis use.
The results were eye-opening. The primary health conditions reported by the participants included chronic pain (38%), PTSD (26%), anxiety (9%), and depression (5%). A significant 67% of participants reported using cannabis daily, with many using it to reduce their reliance on other medications.
Cannabis: A Potential Solution
The study found that many veterans were using cannabis to reduce their use of over-the-counter medications (30%), including antidepressants (25%), anti-inflammatories (17%), and other prescription medications.
A staggering 91% of respondents reported that medical cannabis helped them experience a greater quality of life. Furthermore, 21% reported using fewer opioids as a result of their medical cannabis use.
These findings suggest that cannabis could play a pivotal role in harm reduction, helping veterans to use fewer pharmaceutical medications and other substances. This is particularly pertinent given the ongoing opioid crisis in the US.
The Human Element
The statistics are compelling, but the human stories behind them are even more so.
In a video discussion on the Shawn Ryan Show, former Navy SEALs Shawn Ryan and Eddie Gallagher discuss their personal experiences with using cannabis to manage PTSD and anxiety.
Gallagher shares, “If I start feeling anxiety… it’ll help me just bring me back down the level and be like everything’s good.” Ryan echoes this sentiment, describing his experience with cannabis as “life-changing.”
The Road Ahead
Despite these promising findings, more clinical and epidemiological research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of cannabis use among veterans.
However, the study’s results indicate that cannabis could potentially play a significant role in improving the quality of life for veterans, particularly those struggling with chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
The potential benefits of cannabis use for veterans are clear, but there are still many hurdles to overcome. Legalisation, stigma, and lack of research are all barriers that need to be addressed.
As more veterans share their positive experiences and more research emerges, the tide may begin to turn in favour of cannabis as a viable treatment option for veterans.
In conclusion, cannabis could be the unlikely hero in the battle for better health among US veterans. As Gallagher puts it, “I’m all about it… it’s working.”
