Clinical Efficacy of Cannabinoids in PTSD Management: A Systematic Review Overcoming Limitations of Prior Evidence

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health condition that affects the entire population, with a higher prevalence among military veterans. It is characterized by the re-experiencing of traumatic events, the avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, and persistent hyperarousal. PTSD is widely regarded as a disorder marked by impaired memory processing. Current therapy mostly comprises trauma-focused psychotherapies and pharmacological agents, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine receptor antagonists. However, currently access to specialized therapies is constrained, and pharmaceutical results remain inadequate, highlighting the necessity for innovative therapeutic approaches. Cannabinoids have surfaced as prospective therapy alternatives; however, previous reviews have been limited by restrictive inclusion criteria, a narrow range of cannabinoids, inconsistent outcome assessments, and inadequate examination of new evidence. The potential health risk associated with cannabinoid use stresses the importance of a cautious, evidence-based approach. The rapidly changing legal and regulatory landscape of cannabinoids requires a revised synthesis of contemporary studies. This systematic review assesses clinical trials examining cannabis utilization in PTSD. A thorough search strategy was implemented across primary databases, followed by study selection according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated utilizing validated instruments. Data were meticulously gathered and synthesized across many parameters: trial design, demographic characteristics, PTSD diagnosis techniques, cannabis type and treatment duration, outcome measures, adverse events, and study constraints. This review rectifies previous deficiencies by integrating a comprehensive evidence base, encompassing both synthetic and plant-derived cannabinoids, and standardizing data assessment. It offers a contemporary, evidence-based summary to enhance clinical practice and to direct future research in the management of PTSD with cannabinoids. KEYWORDS post-traumatic stress disorder, cannabinoids, medical cannabis, systematic review, psychiatric treatment