# Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/cannabidiol-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-treatment/ > **Published:** 2022-07-05T16:23:39-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:34-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore cannabidiol in post-traumatic stress disorder treatment and its potential to reduce PTSD symptoms in adult patients. --- A retrospective clinical study conducted at the Wholeness Center, a large mental health clinic in Colorado, has recently suggested that administration of oral cannabidiol (CBD) in addition to routine psychiatric care may help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adult patients. In this case series, CBD was prescribed for 11 PTSD patients at flexible dosing and in the form of either oral capsule or oral spray over an 8-week period. PTSD symptom severity was assessed before treatment began as well as every 4 weeks by the patient-completed PTSD checklist questionnaires. At the end of the study, 10 out of 11 patients demonstrated a reduction in PTSD symptom severity, as evidenced by questionnaire scores lower at the eighth week than at initial baseline. More specifically, the mean total score decreased by 28%, from a mean pretreatment score of 51.82 down to 37.14 after eight consecutive weeks of CBD therapy. Additionally, CBD was generally well tolerated, and no patients discontinued medication due to [side effects](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-intoxication-memory-disruption/). Given these results, together with the fact that CBD doesn’t produce the high sensation like other major components of cannabis, the medical researchers proposed that it can be incorporated into [PTSD treatment](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-and-ptsd-treatment-memory-loss-benefits/) regimen as a supplement to current drugs and therapies. [More access here](https://cedclinic.com/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Associations of PTSD, chronic pain, and their comorbidity on cannabis use disorder: Results from an American nationally representative study](https://cedclinic.com/ptsd-chronic-pain-cannabis-use-disorder-risk/) This study explores the links between PTSD, [chronic pain](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pain-management-opioid-alternative/), and [cannabis use disorder](https://cedclinic.com/sex-differences-cannabis-stress-reactivity-oxytocin/), providing context for cannabis-related treatments. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/ptsd-chronic-pain-cannabis-use-disorder-risk/) [The endocannabinoid receptor CB2 is a regulator of trauma-inducing anxiety and a potential target for PTSD drugs](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-cb2-receptors-anxiety-ptsd-regulation/) Research on the [CB2 receptor](https://cedclinic.com/s-caryophyllene-a-terpine-found-in-cannabis-demonstrates-therapeutic-potential-in-a-mouse-model-of-ms/) highlights its role in anxiety regulation and potential as a [PTSD treatment](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-and-ptsd-treatment-memory-loss-benefits/) target. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoid-cb2-receptors-anxiety-ptsd-regulation/) [No evidence to suggest medicinal cannabis is effective for depression, anxiety or PTSD](https://cedclinic.com/medicinal-cannabis-mental-health-research-evidence/) A critical review examining the current evidence on medicinal cannabis efficacy for mental health conditions including PTSD. [Explore Findings](https://cedclinic.com/medicinal-cannabis-mental-health-research-evidence/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cannabidiol%20in%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Post-Traumatic%20Stress%20Disorder%3A%20A%20Case%20Series&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-treatment%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-treatment%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cannabidiol%20in%20the%20Treatment%20of%20Post-Traumatic%20Stress%20Disorder%3A%20A%20Case%20Series%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fcannabidiol-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-treatment%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).