Cannabis treatment helps against traumatic anxiety disorders and inflammation

Cannabis has a long-lasting effect on trauma symptoms and inflammation

At the Forum of Neuroscience, which is currently taking place in Berlin, a new study has been presented that highlights the efficacy of cannabis against anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and some types of inflammation. In animal models, the scientists were able to show that the increased content of natural cannabinoids in the brain can reduce trauma symptoms and at the same time correct cognitive dysfunctions. These effects are even maintained in the long term.

The research team around Dr. Patrizia Campolongo from Sapienza University in Rome presented the results of his latest study at the Forum of Neuroscience in Berlin. Scientists have shown in animal models that naturally occurring cannabis-like compounds in the brain play a crucial role in some mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders and some types of chronic inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis. Drug cannabis has been shown to have a positive and long-lasting effect on these diseases in the animal model.

A new study shows that cannabis-based drugs work against certain mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, as well as some chronic inflammation - at least in rats. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia.com)

Self-medication for stress

Like Dr. Campolongo reports, in particular, people with trauma-related stress syndrome often tend to self-medication with cannabis. The changing legislation on cannabis in many countries is also raising public interest in therapeutic applications.

Rats show positive effects of cannabis

In experiments with rats suffering from PTSD, scientists have found that medicinal cannabis increases levels of natural cannabis-like compounds in the brain. This caused the traumatic symptoms to diminish. At the same time, the research team was able to document how cannabinoids in the brain compensate for cognitive dysfunction - with a long-lasting effect.

Medicines with cannabis are not comparable to street marijuana

"These drugs work in much more targeted areas of the brain than street cannabis and stop the recovery of anxiety symptoms for up to three months after treatment," reports Dr. Campolongo in a press release on the study results. If the same effect were to occur in humans, it could even last for several years. In current treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, symptoms would often reappear in patients shortly after the end of therapy.

Clinical trials required

Dr. Campolongo believes that synthetic drugs that affect the levels of natural cannabinoids can both reduce anxiety symptoms and disrupt the cycle through which sufferers experience the trauma over and over again. "These artificial cannabis compounds are very specific and therefore have a lower risk of side effects," says the expert. Clinical studies are now needed to investigate whether the knowledge gained from the animals can also be transferred to humans.

Cannabis against chronic inflammation

The research team is supported by the studies of Dr. med. Matthew Hill from the Hotchkiss Brain Institute of the University of Calgary in Canada. His work in animal models has shown that the natural cannabis-like molecules in the brain can reduce symptoms of the chronic inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis. Also, the anxiety often occurring in combination could be so alleviated. "We do not know the mechanism that links these conditions," says Hill. He suspects that the effect is related to the brain's endocannabinoid system. (Vb)