Veterans Day celebrates the American military and takes place annually on November 11th. Originally called Armistice Day, and the holiday was first conceived to commemorate the end of World War I. Today, we honor all veterans.
Here at Heally, our goal is to help people live a natural, healthy life. Often, veterans will come to us looking for relief from a variety of different ailments. Some of those ailments are the result of their time as a service member, while others may have been developed later in life.
There are unique challenges for the bravest of us that have served our country during wartime. Luckily, there are modern holistic treatments that can help provide relief for many of these issues.
1. PTSD and Veterans
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that is common among veterans. One study showed that up to 13.5 percent of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars screened positive for PTSD. Sadly, this condition has been one of the primary drivers of suicides among US veterans, which now account for 20 percent of all suicides in the US.
PTSD is “the overexpression of normal mental and physiological processes”, most notably the fight-or-flight response.
Symptoms of PTSD in veterans include:
Re-experiencing trauma through intrusive thoughts, unwanted memories, nightmares, and flashbacks.
Avoidance of emotions and activities that may remind the patient of the initial trauma.
Increased arousal. PTSD sufferers may feel anxious or on-edge often. For example, they may perceive danger when there is none and suffer from angry outbursts and self-destructive behaviors.
Uncontrollable negative mood swings. These may include depression, anxiety, apathy, and isolation from friends and family.
In the worst cases, PTSD is a debilitating disease that can make living a normal life difficult, if not impossible. Furthermore, traditional treatments have mixed results.
Holistic PTSD Treatment for Veterans
Sufferers of PTSD can implement various holistic treatments to help lessen PTSD symptoms. That’s because many holistic treatments have to do with creating a strong mind-body connection – through meditation and other activities.
Physical Activity – Exercise and physical activity that encourages mindfulness may also help sufferers cope with PTSD. Surfing and Tai Chi have both been researched as effective ways to cope with PTSD symptoms.
It’s important to remember that because of the federal illegality of cannabis in the United States, much of this research is still in its infancy. As a result, US-based studies had to rely on self-reporting and could not administer cannabis for research purposes until recently.
Like cannabis, CBD itself may be able to provide relief for a number of conditions. CBD also has the added bonus of being non-psychoactive, meaning that taking CBD doesn’t produce the same intoxication that ingesting cannabis would. CBD is now legal nationwide.
2. Holistic Treatment for Veterans with Chronic Pain
Studies have shown that more than 370,000 service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries since 2000, which is a common source of chronic pain, often in the form of migraines.
Holistic Migraine Treatment for Veterans
For many veterans, pain management is an ongoing battle. With the opioid epidemic receiving a lot of attention in recent years, it’s no wonder that many veterans look for alternatives.
While you should always speak with your doctor before making any changes to your pain management regimen, combining cannabis with other treatments may prove to be a gateway to relief.
3. Holistic Treatment for Veterans Suffering from Depression
Anxiety and depression are common among veterans, which is one of the primary causes of higher suicide rates.
Reducing the negative effects of depression and anxiety can be crucial for helping veterans live a better life. Implementing some simple lifestyle changes can help manage depression and anxiety.
The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating mood by reducing anxiety and buffering the stress response. For example, CBD has been shown to be an effective treatment for anxiety. Additionally, in some animal models, at certain dosages, THC and cannabis have been shown to have an antidepressant-like effect.
One study found that endocannabinoids, which are linked to improved mood, activate the same receptors as THC. Moreover, they found that chronic stress reduced endocannabinoid levels in animal models, suggesting that consuming THC may be an effective treatment for depression.
While cannabis may be an effective solution, that is a decision that should be made in conjunction with your doctor.
Products to Try
If you are interested in getting started with cannabis or CBD, Heally offers a curated marketplace of products. Not sure what to try? Speak with a doctor.
The best of both worlds when it comes to the healing properties of THCa and CBD. This 1:1 THCa:CBD Releaf Tincture is an effective blend of cannabinoids for veterans who want the benefits of THC without the psychoactivity.
Another THC/CBD blend. At 4.5 mg THC and .5mg CBD a piece, each gummy is precisely dosed. The mellow high will leave you feeling relaxed and happy while enjoying the benefits provided by both THC and CBD for pain, depression, anxiety, and other ailments.
This website is informational and cannot diagnose or treat illness or disease. Medical marijuana aka cannabis should be used under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider. This site is intended for adults and legal medical marijuana patients. This site contains links to products we sell on our marketplace.
How does Heally work?
Creating an account is easy, free, and safe in our HIPAA compliant platform. Visit with a doctor from the comfort of your home or on the go using your cell phone or computer, no appointment is necessary. If the physician thinks cannabis is right for your health and wellness goals, they will discuss treatment options and will grant you a downloadable certification document. Heally’s Telehealth platform currently serves California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio with medical recommendations. Please note you will not be charged the fee if the doctor does not believe the video visit meets her or his standard of care. If you do not live in a medically legal state and would like access to CBD products, visit the Marketplace. Questions? Contact us at support@getheally.com
Interested in using cannabis as an alternative treatment? Get your cannabis card with a licensed physician.