Cannabis and Cannabinoids for Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Military Personnel and Veterans (The Cannabis Placebo Factor in Play Again)
Implications and Conclusions: The current body of evidence does not support the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for the treatment of pain or PTSD in military personnel or veterans. The favorable outcomes that patients report with these substances for both pain and PTSD currently are better explained by expectancy biases than by a treatment effect. Future studies examining the therapeutic efficacy of cannabinoids must take placebo effects into consideration. Additionally, given the widespread legalization of cannabis, ongoing education of veterans must highlight that these substances lack effectiveness for treating PTSD and pain and have considerable harmful effects, are associated with comorbidities, and affect treatment effectiveness for PTSD.
(Complete research go to JAMA Psychiatry July 2023)