FRIDAY, Nov. 13 (HealthDay <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold" id=itxt_nobr_0_0>News
</NOBR>) -- Marijuana may help people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a new study.
PTSD affects 10 to 30 percent of people who experience a traumatic event, such as a car accident or terror attack. These people continue to suffer stress <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold" id=itxt_nobr_1_0>symptoms </NOBR> for months and even years after the incident.
Israeli researchers conducted a series of experiments in which rats were subjected to stressful experiences, such as receiving electric shocks. The study found that the rats' stress levels could be reduced by giving them a synthetic form of marijuana that has properties similar to that of the natural plant.
Further investigation revealed that the synthetic marijuana prevents increased release of a stress hormone the body releases in response to traumatic situations.
"The results of our research should encourage psychiatric investigation into the use of cannabinoids in post-traumatic <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold" id=itxt_nobr_4_0>stress </NOBR> patients," wrote study author Dr. Irit Akirav of the department of psychology at the University of Haifa.
PTSD affects 10 to 30 percent of people who experience a traumatic event, such as a car accident or terror attack. These people continue to suffer stress <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold" id=itxt_nobr_1_0>symptoms </NOBR> for months and even years after the incident.
Israeli researchers conducted a series of experiments in which rats were subjected to stressful experiences, such as receiving electric shocks. The study found that the rats' stress levels could be reduced by giving them a synthetic form of marijuana that has properties similar to that of the natural plant.
Further investigation revealed that the synthetic marijuana prevents increased release of a stress hormone the body releases in response to traumatic situations.
"The results of our research should encourage psychiatric investigation into the use of cannabinoids in post-traumatic <NOBR style="COLOR: darkgreen; FONT-SIZE: 100%; FONT-WEIGHT: bold" id=itxt_nobr_4_0>stress </NOBR> patients," wrote study author Dr. Irit Akirav of the department of psychology at the University of Haifa.