b'lidification of the abnormal aspects of thelevels causing both physical stress and in- CBD decreases anxiety and lessens learned memory (that is, if we tell a lie enoughcreased emotional lability.fear.Inaddition,CBDblocksanxiety-in-times, we start believing it is the truth). 4 Therefore, in PTSD, emotional memoryduced alterations, so many individuals re-These physical changes in brain functionoverload,theincreasedanxiety,adrenalport fewer and less bizarre dreams. 8andstructurearethebasisforthepsy- levels,andadversebehaviorsallinhib- Most importantly, CBD has been found chological changes that occur with PTSD.itcorrectivememoryconsolidation. 5 Thetofacilitatecorrectivecognitiverecon-So,theproblemwithPTSDreallyisinemotionalmemoryoverloadallowsthestructionofmemoriesthatcanimprove your head: the way your brain works hasbrain to store emotionally irrelevant mem- PTSD symptoms. CBD seems to separate changed, and it needs to be fixed, just likeories with the PTSD memory, further mag- and lessen the emotional aspects of a mem-any other disease process. nifyingtheemotionalmemoryoverload.ory, thereby reducing emotional memory Since memories drive dreams, individualsoverload and allowing reconsolidation of Mixing Memory and Emotions with PTSD are plagued by sleep disorders,the memory in a more logical manner. 9In Understanding how physical changes inbizarre emotional dreams, and trauma-as- addition, when the memory is re-stored in thebraincausethepsychologicalsymp- sociated sleep disorder (dream enactmentpermanent memory, the emotional aspect toms of PTSD requires first understandingbehavior). 6All of these processes result inis reduced, reducing the emotional memo-how the brain processes and stores memo- theemotionsbecomingstrongerduringry overload burden the next time the mem-ries. A memory is a collection of nerve cellsmemoryreconsolidation,worseningtheory is transferred to consciousness.connected in a specific manner in specificsymptoms of PTSD. In summary, CBD addresses all of the ar-areas of the brain. Along with the eventsTosummarize,PTSDsymptomsareeas of PTSD listed above. It reduces anxiety, that occur, our memory stores all the sen- caused by and associated with:decreases fear expression, reduces physical sory informationsounds, sights, smells,Anxiety stress, provides antipsychotic relief, reduces touches, and tastesas well as all the emo- Learned fear emotional memory overload, and enhanc-tionsassociatedwiththeevent;itstoresElevated adrenaline levels causinges learned fear extinction. 10These effects them all together. physical stress and psychotic-likeof CBD permit flexibility in the renewing Whenever something jogs that memory,reactions memories,enabletargetingreconsolida-all that information is transferred to ourEmotional memory overload inhibit- tion, and allow for change specific learned consciousness (another area of the brain),ing logical thinking responses and memories, thereby reducing and we process it along with any new in- Abnormal memory consolidation the maladaptive mental states and behav-formation.Thepastmemoryisthenre- Abnormal sleep and dreams. iors associated with PTSD. 11stored in permanent memory along with the new information. This process is calledCurrentmedicaltherapyforPTSDin- A Friend and a Threat, Both memory consolidation. As long as we canvolves medications (to reduce anxiety andfrom the Same Plantcontrol the emotions associated with thecontrolsymptoms)andpsychotherapy.In a study of eleven patients with PTSD memory, we think rationally about the sit- Examples of psychotherapy are exposurewho were allowed to self-adjust their dose uation and reconsolidate the memory in atherapy(helpingthepatienttoinhibitof CBD, all but one experienced a signifi-logical way. Then, when a similar situationlearned fear) and cognitive restructuringcant decrease in PTSD symptom severity occurs, logic will drive our reaction to it,(helpingthepatienttoreconsolidatetheafter just four weeks, and eight of these not our emotions. memoryinamannerthatmakesmoretenexperiencedafurtherdecreasein sense).Ofcourse,allofthesetherapiessymptoms after another four weeks. 12In Crossed Wires: the Negativehavesignificantlimitations.Medicationsaddition,sixreportedfewerbadnight-Feedback Loop have significant side effects and limited ef- mares,andfourreportedbettersleep. In PTSD patients, the emotions associ- ficacy. Exposure therapy often yields onlyFourpatientscontinuedtoreceiveCBD ated with the traumatic event(s) are verytemporaryimprovement. 7 Cognitivere- for at least 36 weeks, and all of them expe-strongso strong that they override thestructuring can produce more long-lastingrienced long-term sustained reductions of individuals ability to logically process theimprovement, but it is difficult for individ- the symptoms.events. When current events jog the mem- uals to decrease the intensity of the emo- Given the strength of this evidence, one ory, the tremendous strength of the associ- tional portion of the memory. might wonder if marijuana may be helpful ated emotions included with this memoryin the treatment of PTSD. The answer is drivetheindividualsreactions,causingCultivating a More Effectivea resounding NO! Tetrahydrocannabidiol him or her to react abnormally, even psy- Treatment (THC),forexample,isanothercannabi-chotically.ThesereactionsleadtoguiltCBD,acannabinoidproducedbythenoid produced by the hemp plant. THC and shame, resulting in anxiety and fear ofhemp plant, has been found to be very help- use correlates positively with the severity losing control again. So, the individualful in both animal and human studies inof PTSD symptoms (including suicide) in learns to fear the memory. These reactionsreducing the symptoms of PTSD.Researchveterans, with worse treatment outcomes, lead to a chronic elevation in adrenalinein animal models of PTSD has shown that(Continued on page 29) H ealtHF reedomN ews /w iNter2020 25'