Efficiency of CBD oil in treating PTSD

Thursday, July 5, 2018

(News 12 at 5:30)

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – House Bill 65 went into effect in Georgia Sunday, July 1, expanding the list of patients who can be prescribed cannabis oil for treatment. PTSD is one of those illnesses.

After 17 years in the Army, Sean Lathrop was forced into retirement for his PTSD diagnosis.

“A lot of us have become sort of introverts, not necessarily naturally but as a result of various events throughout our lives.”

Lathrop is one of many patients who are now eligible to use low THC oil for treatment. It’s made up of two oils from the marijuana plant.

“The CBD gives you that calming effect. It doesn't have any kind of high associated with it. The THC can raise your levels of euphoria, which can increase serotonin and increase dopamine, to bring you out of those depressive and anxiety states.”

The oil is only 5% THC, but Lathrop says there needs to be a higher amount for it to be truly effective.

"I think that that could help bring you out of that mentality, and get to the point where you can interact on a normal basis with regular people," Lathrop told News 12.

Dr. Nagy Youssef, an associate professor in Augusta University’s Department of Psychiatry, treats patients daily. He says there’s not enough proof the oil helps for him to prescribe it.

“The evidence from the literature, the studies is very weak, it's not convincing evidence in my opinion,” Dr. Yousseff explained while sitting in his office.

He says he will continue not to prescribe it until there’s more research and evidence.

“It shows that there are no clinical trials, there's some ongoing but we don't have the results yet,” said Dr. Youssef. “I think it’s a little too early.”

Lathrop says legalizing medicinal marijuana would be more helpful, but that this is a step in the right direction.

“Until then, just know that there are plenty of organizations that can provide assistance for you.”

Patients with intractable pain can also now use cannabis oil. For more information on the illnesses legal for cannabis oil use in Georgia,