THC-O and PTSD Flashbacks: What the Research Says

By Cindy Wilson

BS, Dietetics and Nutrition

Published Jul 7, 2022 · 4 min read

Flashbacks are unexpected moments where the brain triggers a reliving of a traumatic event. They can come any time, even when you’re not expecting it. People who struggle with PTSD are often at risk of experiencing flashbacks and panic attacks. A person with PTSD might experience these symptoms after another triggering event that reminds them of the original trauma. If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, you know how hard it is to cope with the symptoms of this condition. You probably feel anxious all the time, unable to trust anyone or anything around you.

A flashback is when recollections of a past injury feel like they occur in the ongoing second. That implies it’s feasible to feel like the experience of sexual savagery is going on once more. It may be trying to associate with the natural world during a flashback. It might try and feel like the culprit is present. Flashbacks might appear to be irregular right away. They can be set off by beautiful everyday encounters associated with the faculties, similar to the smell of somebody’s scent or a specific manner of speaking. It’s a normal reaction to this sort of injury, and there are steps you can take to help with dealing with the pressure of a flashback.

Numerous people use THC-O Gummies to manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but research to date does not support cannabis as an effective PTSD treatment.

THC-O Acetate, also known as the “psychedelic of cannabinoids,” is synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol. THC O Acetate is a derivative of THC promoted as a promising new treatment for depression. Because it is uncommon in hemp or cannabis plants, it must be created with expensive equipment and extensive scientific knowledge. There is limited research on the health effects of THC-O-acetate, so users should proceed with caution. Cannabinoids are a class of chemicals found in cannabis plants, including THC and CBD. 

THC-O and PTSD Flashbacks: What the Research Says

PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a debilitating and life-altering condition that can occur after a traumatic incident. Those who suffer from it are repeatedly trapped in reliving their trauma through flashbacks and nightmares, causing panic attacks, hypervigilance, overwhelming emotions, detachment from loved ones, and sometimes even self-destructive behavior. But PTSD treatment works, and there are several helpful treatments, so you have options.

A new study shows that cannabis users reported greater improvements in PTSD symptoms over a year, and were 2.57 times more likely to recover from PTSD during the study than those who weren’t using cannabis. But the VA's National Center for PTSD notes that a study of this kind recruited people who were already using cannabis to treat their PTSD and did not control for other variables, leading to a high risk of bias. 

Two recent investigations highlight the way that cannabinoids may assist with treating PTSD. One demonstrates how weed can diminish action in the amygdala – a piece of the mind related to dread reactions to dangers. In the interim, another proposes that the plant’s cannabinoids could assume a part in smothering horrendous recollections. As per late investigations, the two impacts could be helpful for individuals who have PTSD. According to recent studies, both effects could be therapeutic for those who have PTSD.

How Does THC-O Help Manage Flashbacks?

THC-O helps with flashbacks is not an established finding: there is limited research on the health effects of THC-O-acetate, and research to date does not support cannabis as an effective PTSD treatment. When we experience a stressful event, our brains trigger a rush of cortisol, a hormone that helps the body respond to the threat. While cortisol is helpful at the moment, it can stay in the body longer than it should. When this happens, excess cortisol can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress. 

There has only been 1 randomized controlled trial comparing whole plant cannabis and placebo for treating PTSD. In 80 U.S. military Veterans, it showed no significant difference in PTSD symptom reduction between placebo and any of the active cannabis preparations. Another study found that medical cannabis users with self-reported PTSD had short-term symptom relief when using cannabis but no long-term changes in PTSD symptoms.

When someone has PTSD, they have a hyperactive hypothalamus that triggers the release of too much cortisol. Cortisol is controlled by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. Cannabis works in the brain through the endocannabinoid system, and while this system is implicated in PTSD, its exact role is not well understood.

One review looked at THC-O use for the amygdala reaction of those managing injury-related tension, like PTSD. But cannabis use can also cause unpleasant thoughts or feelings of anxiety and paranoia. 

The study utilized a randomized, twofold visually impaired system, the 71 members were either given a low portion of THC or a fake treatment. Then they were presented with compromising upgrades, and their amygdala reactions were recorded. The people who took low portions of THC gave quantifiable indications of diminished dread and uneasiness in the circumstances intended to set off anxiety. Even so, the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD (2023) recommended against the use of cannabis for the treatment of PTSD.

Lastly, post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Many of these people turn to cannabis as a treatment because of its potential to reduce stress. There is limited research on the health effects of THC-O-acetate, and research to date does not support cannabis as an effective PTSD treatment. It is essential to remember that cannabis is addictive and may worsen other mental health issues. Anyone who struggles with PTSD should talk to a doctor before trying cannabis.