CANNABIS & TRAUMA

AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO HEALING

For years, cannabis was stigmatized, especially in the mental health field. However, recent research and clinical testimonials agree that, with conscious and guided use, this plant can be a profound ally for those living with trauma or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Cannabis can help regulate the nervous system. It can modulate the fight-or-flight response by reducing overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system. This is crucial for people living with trauma, as they are often in a constant state of alertness or anxiety.

It also offers relief from PTSD symptoms. CBD and THC in controlled doses have been shown to reduce the intensity of intrusive memories, nightmares, and flashbacks without causing euphoria or addiction. When integrated into safe psychotherapeutic settings, cannabis can facilitate emotional exploration.

In controlled doses, THC can soften psychological defenses, allowing access to repressed memories or difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed. This practice, known as cannabis-assisted psychotherapy, is already being used in integrative clinics in the United States and Canada.

Trauma, more than a memory, is an unresolved experience trapped in the body. Cannabis is emerging as a medicinal plant capable of softening the armor we carry and helping us return home. Trauma also disconnects us from our bodies. Using the plant, especially in therapeutic practices like yoga, meditation, mindfulness, or conscious movement, can facilitate sensory reconnection.

It's not a magic cure, and not everyone's body responds the same way. Some people may experience anxiety or dissociation with certain doses of THC. That's why professional guidance and an individualized approach are key. It's not about "using cannabis," but about consciously integrating it into a larger healing process.

Camille Pérez Duteil

Psychologist

@camicamers