the WEED & WELLNESS issue
MENTAL POWERS It wasn’t so long ago that our televisions were clogged with public service announcements warning us that Cannabis consumption was akin to tossing one’s mind into a frying pan and letting it sizzle. While today we know that such crude analogies are not, in fact, an accurate representation of “your brain on drugs,” we are still woefully under informed when it comes to understanding the role of Cannabis in the mental health of humans. From success stories of military veterans using Cannabis to alleviate symptoms of PTSD to concerns over potential changes in the brain chemistry of underage consumers, to say the situation is complex would be a massive understatement.
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eyond the vast array of different ways in which Cannabis and mental health can and should be studied, there’s also the underlying issue of the plant’s continued status as a Class I controlled substance. In stark contrast to the wealth of ongoing research being conducted in countries like Canada and Israel, the fact that Cannabis remains federally illegal in the U.S. means efforts to study its medical efficacy on all fronts are extremely limited. As the COO and co-founder of NorCal’s Santa Cruz Veterans Alliance (SCVA), Newsom had a first-row seat to witness the benefits Cannabis can provide to veterans suffering from PTSD and other related conditions. In addition to serving the SCVA’s mission, Newsom also believes it’s incumbent on organizations like his own to not only call for needed research, but to spearhead such efforts too, wherever possible. “We try as hard as we can to do as much research as possible,” Newsom said. “But there’s not much that can be done while the plant still falls under a Schedule I drug classification.” Despite this massive barrier, Newsom says the SCVA continues to do whatever it can. Back in 2016, for instance, Stanford University and the VA conducted a study utilizing both the SCVA’s Cannabis and veteran populace. “They did a seven or eight month study with questionnaires and Fitbit tests,” Newsom noted. “They looked at all their sleeping habits and everything like that – and that was a peer-reviewed study that was published a few years back.” Unfortunately, such studies remain a rarity, even now. As a result, Newsom can only offer his anecdotal observations when it comes to the overall possible value of Cannabis as a net positive for veterans wishing to treat symptoms of PTSD. Of all the contenders, it’s issues with sleep and pain, Newsom believes, where Cannabis probably makes the biggest impact. “I think most people in the veteran community, specifically, are using it to help with sleep regulation and pain management,” he said. “One of
JAN. 2022
the big effects of PTSD is reduced sleep, as well as why some didn’t – should be part of that process.” high anxiety, hyper-vigilance, stress and depresCase in point: The topic of Cannabis and sion. All of those are things that can hinder sleep mental health leads to a lot of talk of promise, and we’ve seen that just being able to get proper and a healthy dose of frustration over the fact that rest can really make a big difference.” everything must still be cloaked in caveats until The ability of Cannabis to aid in sleep, which in more research is allowed and completed. turn leads to improved mental health, is but one Asked about the topic, Draisin agrees that of the endless fibers in this utterly massive heap research is of vital importance. of fascinating, if staggering, fabric. A distinctly “There is so much more research that is different thread can be found in the work of Dr. needed,” Draisin explained. “More information Alison Draisin, who practices Cannabis-assisted is needed. More protocols are needed. I still psychotherapy at Seattle’s AIMS Institute. feel like doctors and nurses don’t know enough Though she can appreciate why many may about Cannabis and the myriad uses it can have. assume the concept of Cannabis-assisted psychoOftentimes, without the proper knowledge and therapy is an extension of the understanding that education, I think that medical professionals don’t sitting on one’s couch and smoking weed makes always turn to Cannabis first. They turn towards them feel comfortable, pharmacology.” her approach and The same interest lies elsewhere. could be said for “In a therapy Newsom, who also situation,” Draisin underscored that explained, “I want the value of Canthe client to become nabis as a tool in anxious. I want clients promoting mental to have a shift, so then health is directly I can explore what’s tied to what legal really going on behind access we have to that anxiety. Some the plant. people will say they “It’s a human can’t use Cannabis rights issue,” because it makes them Newsom said. “We paranoid or anxious, need to have the but I actually like to put right to heal with - D R . A LI S O N D R A IS IN | S E AT T L E A I M S I N ST I T U T E clients in that state of whatever means anxiety, so that we can we deem fit for our explore what’s causing it and what’s coming up own personal healing journeys. Whatever is going for them.” to make us happier, you shouldn’t have to ask As part of the process, Draisin stresses that fopermission for it.” cusing in on specific Cannabis cultivars (or strains) There’s arguably nothing more important than a is, in her belief, of vital importance. healthy mind, so let us hope that greater oppor“If you’re going to do Cannabis-assisted psytunities to fully understand and better empower chotherapy, you should also be talking to your consumers on the subject of Cannabis and mental client about Cannabis. I firmly believe that looking wellbeing arrive shortly. This is one brain teaser at different cultivars with a client – why some work, which is long overdue for an answer sheet.
“There is so much more research that is needed. More information is needed. More protocols are needed. I still feel like doctors and nurses don’t know enough about Cannabis and the myriad uses it can have.”
H e a r D r. A l i s on Drai s on on T h e Leaf Li fe Podcast S h ow #111 Psych edel i c Me d i c i n e.
