Our Veterans should be praised, admired, and honored for their ultimate sacrifice in the name of the United States of America and its citizens. From Infectious Diseases, Chemical & Biological Weapons, and Psychological Stress developed from combat, a soldier’s life is nothing close to easy; let alone the risks they take with no promise or guarantee they will see their families.
Furthermore, when our soldiers return, there are countless reports and studies of how they don't receive the medical attention, guidance, or financial assistance they need to integrate themselves back into society. The most common story or case is they are prescribed heavy medications that lead to depression, addiction to drugs and alcohol, and cast out of society after all they have given in the name of freedom.
In this blog, we’ll bring awareness to the needs of our Veterans and look at a promising alternative to heavy medications that often reverse addiction, chronic pain, and even depression. That alternative is called “CBD”.
Let's explore this topic
What are the biggest problems facing veterans returning home from conflict?
The majority readjust to life off the battlefield with few difficulties. But a significant number—44% who’ve served in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to one survey—say they’ve had problems readjusting after their return.
Some of the most significant are health-related. A considerable number of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), with about one in five experiencing a mild form of TBI commonly known as a concussion. Other common problems include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, problematic alcohol use, and thoughts of suicide. Many veterans suffer from more than one health condition.
In addition, many women and men experienced sexual trauma, including harassment and assaults, while in the military. That can have both mental and physical effects.
Are veterans getting the help they need?
In many ways, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), which provides health care to a great number of veterans, offers care that is as good as or better than that provided by private or non-VHA public practices. But the accessibility and quality of services vary across the system. Several studies have shown, for example, that a large number of veterans don’t receive any treatment following diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder, or depression. Many veterans don’t know how to apply for veterans’ mental health care benefits, are unsure if they are eligible, or are unaware that mental health care benefits are available.
How about PTSD? How many Veterans are suffering from that?
From the US Dept. of Veteran Affairs, here’s what they report:
The number of Veterans with PTSD varies by service era:
Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF): About 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans (or between 11-20%) who served in OIF or OEF have PTSD in a given year.
Gulf War (Desert Storm): About 12 out of every 100 Gulf War Veterans (or 12%) have PTSD in a given year.
Vietnam War: About 15 out of every 100 Vietnam Veterans (or 15%) were currently diagnosed with PTSD at the time of the most recent study in the late 1980s, the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). It is estimated that about 30 out of every 100 (or 30%) of Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.
It's clear that PTSD is widely spread amongst our Veterans and is a serious health condition plaguing our Veterans from a normal life of peace and tranquility.
So how does CBD come into the picture?
Much has been made of the high suicide rate of American war veterans. Comparably less has been made of the growing number of American veterans using CBD to treat their PTSD symptoms. Attitudes toward CBD are clearly changing. More and more states are legalizing the use of CBD and cannabis for medical and recreational purposes. CBD is proving particularly popular among American veterans who enjoy its calming effect without the high caused by the psychoactive component of THC in cannabis.
CBD for PTSD Symptoms
Though studies have not yet been conducted to determine if there is a scientific basis for CBD treating symptoms of PTSD, research in this space is starting to take place. As time progresses, that many more veterans are publicizing the fact that CBD makes it that much easier to cope with PTSD and feel normal after returning home from battle.
Sadly, the United States department of Veterans Affairs reveals 20% of veterans who served in Iraq and 15% of those who fought in Vietnam suffer from PTSD each year. PTSD has the potential to be mentally crippling, making it difficult for veterans to segue back to their regular family life and working a 9 to 5 job. Those who specialize in the study of PTSD are quick to point out surmounting the symptoms of PTSD takes years or even decades. In some cases, it takes months or several years for PTSD symptoms to manifest in the first place.
Why CBD is so Helpful for PTSD
CBD is the component of marijuana plants that is not psychoactive. The use of CBD triggers the endocannabinoid system within the body that has the potential to generate even more cannabinoids. CBD is shown to alleviate pain and help manage symptoms of anxiety. CBD is available in the form of CBD nugs, CBD oil, CBD topical solutions and more. The medical community is still conducting studies to determine the wide array of benefits from CBD. It is quite possible CBD will prove helpful for conditions aside from PTSD. The World Health Organization states there is no proof of any health-related issues stemming from the use of CBD. Military veterans who use CBD are quick to testify that it helps manage all sorts of symptoms including the inability to focus, insomnia and anxiety. Some veterans use CBD to sleep better at night, concentrate better during the day and push suicidal thoughts out of the mind.
Veterans are Choosing CBD Over Prescription Medications
Another key advantage of CBD is it does not carry the negative side effects of prescription medications that supposedly help mitigate PTSD symptoms. As an example, some such medications cause damage to the interior lining of the stomach after repeated use. In fact, some such prescriptions are so new to the market that no one is quite sure of the potential long-term side effects. If you are dealing with PTSD or other mental or physical pain, you should give serious consideration to the benefits of CBD. Your condition might qualify you to use medical marijuana through a medical card, significantly minimizing your pain and greatly improving your well-being.
FINAL THOUGHTS
TAYCO FARMS is a CBD company that stands firmly on the belief that our Veterans deserve more and should have access to CBD to help them gain control of their lives again. TAYCO FARMS feels obligated and has the responsibility to produce CBD that is 100% solventless and of the HIGHEST QUALITY for our Veterans and those in need across the country and the world.
TAYCO FARMS even goes further and offers a 20% discount to all Veterans, Military, First Responders, and Police Officers to support their mental and physical health all year around. If you have any questions, or concerns, or want to speak to one of our staff members about CBD, please don't hesitate to reach out to us via email, our phone number, or social media so we can help educate you on the right CBD product to help you.