Veteran Mike Whiter Explains How Cannabis Can Help Veterans With PTSD | NowThis

[@SSelkie3]

When he said "to me its not a disorder, its just who i am now", I cried. Thats such a powerful way to put it. Ive struggled with PTSD from childhood and many abusive relationships following it. Now that im in probably the safest place ive ever been in my life. Yet I still so often feel very unsafe, so vigilant, worried about so many things. Im stuck in my own head, hiding away from people, cause deep down i dont trust anyone right now. But weed is helping me to open up more. Its helping me see and process these emotions, helping me to come to terms with my pain and truama. It truly is a miracle plant, and im happy for anyone whos healed from it, and hope many more can.

[@SerialCerealEater]

I'm 15. I have PTSD from a break in that happened when my "parents" left me at the apartment to go drink. I was younger than 2. I have it from my parents fighting, and yelling, from having to comfort my beaten mom at 4 years old and just having to sit there and watch her cry. She died when I was 6 of alcohol poisoning and that was my turning point. I never felt genuine joy since then. I could smile and laugh. But I was never really there. I never cared about what was going on, and as I got older and with my ADHD it only got worse and worse. Smoking is quite literally the only thing that has made me happy and safe. I would not find it hard to say that weed saved my life. And I just want to say the second I read you comment I had to hold back sobs because I truly for a long time never had an outlet or anyone to talk to, especially having it at a young an age as I do. Thank you for sharing your story. It helps.

[@ishikavishwas8229]

Same for me ❤❤

[@rswindello]

I've been verbally abused and taken advantage of by people who were supposedly trying to help me out. Created a lot of distrust, anger, and fear within my mind and affected my ability to socialize normally. Just started smoking flower and have already felt some of the fear melt away.

[@williefixxx963]

AMEN

[@Mediccanna]

Amazing ✌️✌️

[@rosalialugo5286]

The VA needs to allow it.

[@Pimpishone]

I agree with you fully

[@MadeByPurity]

They don’t? We live in a backwards world 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@freddiep2720]

1000

[@jarrodfriday]

I've seen so many somewhat similar stories with veterans like Mike dealing with PTSD. Cannabis and hemp should've been globally accessible to anyone who deems it as pure help. Cigarettes, alcohol, and, especially, the pills the doctor dumps on people, don't do what cannabis can. Like Mississippi, the federal government will try every other way besides cannabis and it's disgusting how long reform for cannabis hasn't taken place.

[@radiatedbrain4930]

Even though ive never experienced combat in my life, certain (in my opinion) "traumatic" events in my life have left me with anxiety, slight depression, and body aches that some would consider "unbearable". When i smoke, it helps me relax, my anxiety goes away, i dont feel depressed and my body aches are dulled. I feel like i can live freely and i dont experience a mental tunnel vision. I have the utmost respect for every veteran and ive worked with many that say how the VA prescribes all these pills that alter their bodies. One man i know (former Marine who fought in Fallujah and Ramadi) was given pills to dull his anxiety but he came to find out those pills raised his blood pressure drastically and messed with his sleep schedule. One day i smoked with him as an experiment and just a few "puffs" in and he was as cool and collected as if nothing was wrong with him. We talked and he agreed with me that the VA should be using marijuana as a method for veterans to help handle their PTSD, the pills just alter the mind and the body too much and its a shame that all the VA does is just throw pills at their problems. While marijuana could be looked at the same way (just throwing something at the problem to temporarily relieve it) it doesnt affect the mind and body like pills do. I surely hope one day federal legalization takes place and our brave men and women can come home and use something else besides harmful pills to cope with the traumatic events they experienced while on deployment. Again, i never served, i love and respect all those who served (and thank you if you reading this are a veteran) but marijuana is the best method for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and bodily aches. The tests keep showing the benefits marijuana has and we have veterans opinions on it who wish it was an option given them.

[@mesrineqcc.2086]

i live in canada . i live with a PTSD , and now since 2013 i been helped alot , i take meds for my whole life ,but also i smoke weed and i grow with a licence . it totally saved my life . peace all !

[@mesrineqcc.2086]

i dont take alcool .

[@jmath8895]

I watched this video 2 years ago and this video changed my life. I was on the verge if divorce, dealing with PTSD, and other issues. Now that I started smoking weed I'm a whole new person and my family is happier than ever.

[@Lonerangel7177]

I understand this man completely.

[@brandonriggs1788]

I have severe PTSD, Autism, BP issues, smoke and vape; SEVERE ADHD, GAD, SAD, and a ton of other issues. I tried weed the day I left the Army, a few weeks after that, and a couple more weeks after the second time. All 3 times I never got the munchies. I could function normally. Pervasive and invasive/ persistent thoughts were gone. I felt total relief. It needs to be legalized for ALL states. It could help so many people with PTSD and other issues.

[@brandonriggs1788]

Quit smoking and vaping two months ago almost.

[@namvet1968]

I'm a Vietnam vet with PTSD. Just received my Medical Marijuana card in Florida. Can you recommend something for depression and anxiety? I've never smoked cigarettes. Maybe I should try some kind of edible? Thanks for your input.

[@daviddenton1934]

@@namvet1968 delta 8 vales are what I use. Deltq 8 is legal in Texas and doesn't hit as hard as regular weed

[@namvet1968]

@@daviddenton1934 Thanks for the info. I will try a Delta 8 edible.

[@daviddenton1934]

Edibles hit hard and take an hour or two to kick in. Make sure you ask your retail workers for advice!

[@ASKQUESTIONLATERS]

I’ve been on psych meds for 2 yrs . I felt the same as you at the restaurants . I had to find a exit at every place I went . These meds didn’t help I tried cannibis and it triggered something in my brain I woke refreshed but I was stoned out my mind but didn’t have suicidal thoughts depression and living in a emotional rollercoaster

[@abdulwahab7135]

It's just so sad, that many of those who need this medicine the most can't have access, it's the safest drug, and it helps

[@HdauBean]

yes this is like the only drug alongside psychedelics that help with PTSD

[@kaseycesena3430]

I'm a disabled veteran T.B.I(traumatic brain injury) it can work with my P.T.S.D at times unfortunately I thank God for cannabis their have been times I was thinking about battle buddies who didn't make it it was not good I didnt go outside I would just stay in my room with crazy thoughts I was not fun to be around but if I smoke I can relax somewhat granted it will never go away but bud helps with sleep too

[@leifdumm3566]

Thank you for your insight, brother.

[@theohitman7]

Ya know it’s sad because it’s the same way for me. I waited too long to get help and mines got a bit out of control but I can’t lie cannabis really helps you calm down and not be so “on edge” or “on the job” as my therapist would say but he’s right it’s doesn’t go away but it becomes manageable with cannabis... in my opinion Sativa works best for me. Gives me an uplifting vibe and a sense of calmness. The pills just made me pass out on the floor, wake up, and not be able to move... it was literally the worst days of my life. Cannabis helped and I’ll confess that to anyone.

[@sdawg58]

I have to get completely tore up to go out in public. I am sick of being hyperventilate. I'm constantly scanning hands, hips and heads and finding threats. I can't turn it off. Weed has knocked it down quite a bit. But I can't stop being on edge... Iraq waa 10+ years ago for me.

[@sdawg58]

@@ComicSixThirty Hey man, I want to pick your brain in a DM. I see you were on here 5 days ago. I'm struggling bad. I want to feel normal again, I am tired if constantly being on edge. I want to laugh and be "normal" around my family. If you add "gmail" to my username that's my email address. I hope you get this comment. Thank you.

[@nate1988]

@@sdawg58 Hey stranger. I'm just a random passerby who was reading these comments. Just hope that you've found some peace in the past nine months man.

[@sdawg58]

@@nate1988 Thanks man. Actually I've been getting closer with God, as cliche as that sounds but I feel better these days. I still have my issues but I know I'm on the right track. Thanks for your kind encouragement! :)

[@Mediccanna]

This hits hard his story is a lot like mine i didn’t serve but i do 100% have ptsd and i get that feeling of looking at the door seeing who is coming in it makes you think anything you know there’s no guy in the building next door with a sniper but ur scared your still gonna get shot when you smoke you can completely dismiss that you can reason and what’s clear weed has saved my life love to all ✌️

[@Amorosounds]

PTSD is now called PTSI, an acronym for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury, because it can be an emotional, mental and / or psychological injury resulting from both, military and / or civilian incurred traumatic experiences! It can also be caused by Traumatic Brain Injury or Post Concussion Syndrome, Atlas and Vertebral Subluxation Syndrome which can cause occlusion, impingement, obstruction or blockage of nerve signals and blood-flow to many parts of the body. Moreover, an Axonal Injury or Shearing and Tearing of the Axonal Nerve Fibers, specially the Parasympathetic, Sympathetic and Sensory Fibers of Cranial Nerves inside the brain, which can also cause hyperactivity of the Sympathetic Chain-Stellate Ganglion, the leading or major cause of PTSI (Formerly PTSD). On the other hand, Full-Spectrum Cannabis (CBD) Oil can also be extracted from the Stems, Petals and Flowers of the Hemp Plant, a plant which is a cousin or twin of the Marijuana Plant. It has all the medicinal properties of the marijuana plant, except a high content of THC. Besides, The Hemp Plant was legalized at the Federal Level and removed from the Controlled Substance Act, because it contains a low or non-existent amount of the Psychoactive THC, depending on the breed type.

[@Southern_Sun]

i still face the door...anywhere...

[@NaveedAliShahRealtorNVAR]

Thanks for telling your story, Mike. I agree with you that to keep calling it a “Disorder” is a problem. If it’s something that affects so many people maybe there isn’t something wrong with having a reaction to that type of trauma. Destigmatizing the this and turning it into a conversation might allow people, especially us macho vets, to get help. Whether it’s through therapy or weed or something else, it’s OK to ask for help.

[@ersatzinstitute2312]

Naveed A. Shah Scientifically speaking, PTS is a disorder since it impeads upon an individual's daily functioning. However, PTS is no longer a disorder when treated correctly (such as medical marijuana).

[@TimothyVincentStBarts-ls7ii]

Right out of the gate I like this guy....(paraphrasing) "I call it Pts. i don't like to call it a disorder. Its who I am now". Amen brother...from a fellow Vet. Semper Fi.

[@davidbrodsky3953]

Thanks for sharing your message. I hope that you are successful with your weed use and getting the V A to assist you. I stand with you as an USAF veteran and a Philadelphian.

[@waltbayless7709]

So so glad the beautiful benefits of marijuana are being talked about more and more.

[@vernateriyaki8031]

This plant has helped me with my PTSD just know that it's medicinal so sometimes your brain will still try to offload the trauma . It's really a lifesaver.

[@laraparks7018]

God 🙏 bless you, I'm so sorry 😔...❤XOX..❤

[@James-qz5ny]

God bless

[@mattlukethompson]

No human being should be in jail for weed

[@ElizabethHurtado-py8ur]

Hi, I'm Elizabeth from California USA nice meeting you guys today.

[@williefixxx963]

THC has psychological benefits too, it's just not for anybody. High CBD with high THC is the best, medicinal effect.

[@0321ReconMan]

THC by itself not good (too strong) dont like it, CBD by itself doesnt do anything dont like it. However a THC+CBD mix is magic, love it!

[@Sparker408]

👍

[@HdauBean]

no it depends on tolerance, those with very high tolerance can use high tolerance strains without issue

[@kezmenflowers8691]

The VA has put me on pills to shots that gave me adverse effects, and also, my family was very unsupportive of me when I got out. I had to be checked in a couple of times, but overall, the VA has been great to me. I just don't like taking all those pills or shots, and marijuana has helped me tremendously and helped me get to a stage of acceptance with everything that has gone on in my life. I just stay more to myself now and know when it's time to be alone to myself when I'm around people for too long.

[@ElizabethHurtado-py8ur]

The reason they call it a disorder is because a person is not entirely in order with large amounts of stress, usually you're forced to think outside the box under a lot of stress and trauma.

[@rblightchild]

hes talking about me

[@stevenlupanko2983]

strange how the brain works I was a big cannabis smoker and my Mental health problems are from that it does exactly the opposite to what it does to you but didn't have that negative effect on my for a decade. I can see how cannabis can work but also I know the potential other side to it which is why I am taking cbd oil without the psychoactive substance that is in cannabis. And like snakebite antivenom it relieves my ptsd but its not a cure just a reprieve. The ptsd came from someone random that I didn't know attacking me with a hammer at my own front door. I self medicated with alcohol for 20 years which helped but only with colossal amounts. I have been free of alcohol for a year but until I took cbt oil I spent all my time in absolute terror I was having hypnogogic hallucinations as soon as I closed my eyes at night I would wake in the morning with sore forearms from holding knives in my nightmares and stabbing people in self defence then it got worse and I would just be stabbing people in my dreams in a virtual revenge. I would wake up so irritable and delusional that I couldn't be near other people and I would spend the whole day with intrusive thoughts that would be unshakeable and for no reason. I find it hard to talk about when you consider what servicemen can go through but its a very real problem for everyone who suffers it, its life changing. I could only think suicide for the first 8 months I didn't see a way out. cbd oil takes the edge off the anxiety for me and slows the washing machine in the mind but its not a cure. all I can say is don't use alcohol because it makes the mind to unpredictable. I think the emphasis has to be on helping anyone who suffers from this, I have AA meetings which is a blessing the military personnel should have the same thing , the 12 step programme actually works for most mental health issues. mental health makes you isolate and become spiritually disconnected with people. Spirituality is not about hugging trees its about connecting the dots and living freely in society as we once did . To strip the spiritual away is like losing your soul without a soul the devil takes over. I thought my ptsd was schizophrenia it had so many facets to the illness I truly was a sandwich short of a picnic, the light were on but I wasn't home. whatever works for you or anybody else is what is important. Stay safe brother and massive thanks for your service I have close friends in the military who have done many tours and I can see how they suffer sadly most us civvies don't truly have a clue. I haven't had your experiences but I do know that intense fight or flight timewarp through space and new dimensions feeling and that crazy paranoia that just about never leaves. cannabis can definitely make it worse and can definitely make it better it all depends on a individuals brain chemistry.

[@jefg5112]

I had depression before i started smoking weed and started smoking when i was 16 now 42 and ive tried the cbd oil people make but its just not the same as smoking good strength weed with the thc. Its the thc that works for me and just makes life so much more worth it. With out it i dont want to be awake.

[@341infantry]

God speed warrior

[@t.breeze8659]

I wish this guy’s experiences with cannabis held true for everyone but it doesn’t. My dad is a Vietnam vet with severe ptsd and, having 3 Purple Hearts, he deals with debilitating chronic pain from his injuries. The number of pills the VA prescribes is insane and his heavy drinking helps and hurts at the same time. He’d be wiling to take cannabis if it worked but he only recalls weed heightening his paranoia and anxiety when he tried it as a young man. It heightens my anxiety in a bad way too sounds don’t smoke or vape it. Weed seems to be less harmful than alcohol and opiates and anti anxiety meds and I wish it didn’t have the effect of exacerbating ptsd and anxiety. Glad it give some people a better alternative though

[@bernardosilva5761]

He probably smoked a sativa Maybe if he tried a indica and very little of it

[@bigmike956]

How does the VA find out you smoke weed?

[@alexg7547]

At least he’s doing good

[@frankkahler1431]

Sir, Smoke a bone and about 2 hours later sit and meditate!!! Just close your eyes and listen to your breathing.......Ommmmmmm.. PEACE BROTHER!!!

[@TROOTHSEEKERS]

I took all the pills and ended up having a stroke. I had taken many anti-depressants and none of them work, in fact they make the situation worse. When you try to stop taking them, the anxiety goes sky high, so, it's not easy to quite the pharmaceuticals. I recently got my medical card and am finding out that many of the high potency cannabis is too strong and can cause anxiety also, so you must search into what strain and thc content. What I'm experiencing is anything over 20% thc is too high. I'm still seeking the proper one. I've smoked since '69 and had never experienced anxiety from marijuana until the medical stuff came out and something inside me is saying this stuff is not the same marijuana of yesteryear, it's been modified and I'm not sure I trust it!

[@odapayne6481]

what happens if a veteran is caught selling his cannabis ?

[@jeffreydwightryanriley8308]

Consider a therapeutic dose of antipsychotics. For me weed by itself isn’t enough, but it is a fantastic adjunct. I’m in TX. On paper. Will be free in 43 days. I am an FMF Combat veteran rated permanent and total.

[@Keithyoung420]

I just smoked some darkside og this strain is potent %28-%35 THC I was stoned asf laughed at everything I thought of 😂😂😂😂

[@useyourbrain6937]

Try full spectrum thc oil

[@Johnnyo1300]

And I felt good. What more do you need to say?

[@ElizabethHurtado-py8ur]

🦅

[@veteransowhat5669]

Fear.

[@jasongoodwin1269]

49th

[@martiestiglingh6073]