Cannabis for PTSD |
PTSD Treatment

The SyqeAir Inhaler and Cannabis Cartridges can also be used for post-traumatic symptoms.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a “transparent” enemy in a lifelong battle. The psychiatric diagnosis may arrive months or even years after the traumatic event. The main symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are flashbacks and “reliving” the traumatic event, hypervigilance, nervousness, nightmares, suicidal thoughts, and a tendency to avoid people or triggers that evoke the memory of the event1.

"The regular use of the SyqeAir Inhaler and Cartridge, together with psychotherapy, reduced the number of flashbacks, crying outbursts, nightmares, and nervousness."
Eyal Reinich, an IDF-disabled veteran who suffers from chronic neuropathic pain and PTSD

PTSD Treatment with Medical Cannabis

To date, not enough established clinical studies have examined the effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis treatment for PTSD. However, from the amount of clinical evidence accumulated so far, it can be argued that the active ingredients in cannabis may reduce the level of anxiety, improve the quality of sleep, and reduce some of the post-traumatic symptoms.

One study tested the effect of (a tablet containing synthetic THC, which is taken orally and enters the digestive system) on ten PTSD patients for almost two months compared with a placebo. In general, the researchers showed that the treatment was effective and had a positive effect on the symptom burden of the patients and significantly reduced the severity of the nightmares that these patients suffered from2.

Another study examined the administration of cannabis for PTSD treatment via smoking and the effect on the severity of the symptoms. The researchers divided 80 PTSD patients into four groups of 20 participants each: Group #1 received THC-rich cannabis only; Group #2 received CBD-rich cannabis only; Group #3 received cannabis with a balanced THC/CBD ratio; and Group #4 received a placebo (cannabis with 0% THC but with all other cannabis ingredients). The research findings showed that the cannabis treatment improved the PTSD symptom severity (CAPS-5) of the patients, as well as their general depression and social anxiety rates (IDAS), however, there was no significant difference between the cannabis arms and the placebo arm3.

The researchers qualified these inconclusive findings by arguing that they probably resulted from the patients who had previous experience with cannabis treatment since these patients significantly recognized the placebo treatment, the washout process of THC from their bodies did not happen in full, and they consumed a lower amount of cannabis than prescribed to them3.

"After using the SyqeAir Inhaler, the nightmares decreased significantly... I am more focused; I don't behave like a zombie all the time. The anxieties have also decreased, and today I can manage myself in social situations."
Anonymous, a disabled-IDF veteran who suffers from nerve damage and PTSD

Medical Cannabis for the Improvement of Sleep Quality in PTSD Patients

An observational study conducted at the University of Haifa in Israel examined, over the course of two weeks, the relationship between the quality of sleep and the use of medical cannabis among patients diagnosed with PTSD. It was found that the shorter the time between cannabis intake and the onset of falling asleep, the higher the decrease in the frequency of nightmares they experienced4.

Pillai et al., a group of researchers from the University of London, conducted a retrospective study in 2022 that examined the quality of life of PTSD patients included in the national database of medical cannabis patients in the United Kingdom. A statistically significant improvement was observed in their functioning, anxiety, quality of sleep, and quality of life scores following 180 days of treatment. The most common adverse effects reported were insomnia, fatigue, headache, and dry mouth5.

SyqeAir for PTSD symptoms

At Syqe, we have much experience in treating patients who also suffer from PTSD using the SyqeAir Inhaler, and they report encouraging results:

  • Treatment uniformity, stability, and continuity – which are crucial for improving the mental and physical condition
  • Consistent effect with each inhalation that provides patients the ability to establish a functioning daily routine, alongside the limitations
  • Minimal to no adverse effects, following the dosage adjustment by a SyqeAir nurse
  • Calmness sensation which facilitates the improvement of the patients’ relationships with their families and the social circles
  • Improved sleep quality: the duration of falling asleep shortens, while the duration of sleep prolonges6

Watch Eyal Reinich, an Israeli PTSD veteran and a SyqeAir patient, sharing his moving story:

  1. Schrader C. 2021. Science of Medicine 118 (6), 546-551
  2. Jetly R, Heber A, Fraser G, Boisvert D. The efficacy of nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid, in the treatment of PTSD-associated nightmares: a preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015;51:585–588.
  3. Bonn-Miller MO, Sisley S, Riggs P, Yazar-Klosinski B, Wang JB, Loflin MJE, Shechet B, Hennigan C, Matthews R, Emerson A, Doblin R. The short-term impact of 3 smoked cannabis preparations versus placebo on PTSD symptoms: A randomized cross-over clinical trial. PLoS One 2021;16:1–26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0246990.
  4. Sznitman et al. 2022. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 99.
  5. Pillai M. et al. (2022). Expert Review Neurotherapeutics, 10. 1-10.
  6. Aviram, J, et al., (2023). Pharmaceuticals, 16(10), 1426.