# Use and effects of cannabinoids in military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/use-and-effects-of-cannabinoids-in-military-veterans-with-post-traumatic-stress-disorder/
> **Published:** 2022-06-21T16:10:41-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-08-31T15:08:37-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Cannabinoids comprise biologically active components of cannabis, such as CBD or THC, as well as their synthetic counterparts. Upon entering the body, cannabinoids activate the endogenous cannabinoid signalling system, thereby producing a wide range of effects on the nervous system including alterations to mood and memory processes. Such effects provide the scientific basis for the […]

---

Cannabinoids comprise biologically active components of cannabis, such as CBD or THC, as well as their synthetic counterparts. Upon entering the body, cannabinoids activate the endogenous cannabinoid signalling system, thereby producing a wide range of effects on the nervous system including alterations to mood and memory processes. Such effects provide the scientific basis for the use of these substances to manage post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), whose symptoms range from agitation, irritability, flashback, anxiety to insomnia and nightmare.

Military veterans suffer from a particularly high prevalence of PTSD, and a substantial subset of them has reported using [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) or synthetic analogs of THC such as nabilone to cope with its symptoms. In fact, patients with more severe PTSD symptoms have been found to be significantly more likely to elect cannabis-derived medicine. Results from a small number of [clinical studies](https://cedclinic.com/state-licensed-cannabis-research-frameworks-missouri/) have offered strong evidence that the majority of users experienced benefits, most noticeably reduction in anxiety, insomnia and improvement in coping ability. Nonetheless, large well-designed controlled trials are still needed to define the role of cannabinoids as a supplement or alternative to conventional approaches to PTSD therapy.

[More access here](https://cedclinic.com/)

 

### Related

---

### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), 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).