Las Vegas City Wire

A Las Vegas veterans group is putting boots on the ground when it comes to using cannabis and cannabis products to aid those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that is common among those that served in the military. 

Often times, veterans' battle with PTSD is kept private, making it all the more difficult. Las Vegas-based Veterans Care Charity is trying to put a spotlight on the condition and how cannabis might help those who are suffering in silence. 

Veterans Care Charity helps all homeless veterans throughout the Las Vegas Valley with much-needed supplies like socks and essentials. Bob Martin, 76, has seen the impact of PTSD on a number of veterans and the obstacles to obtaining delayed mental health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“They have a lot of nightmares, trouble sleeping," Martin said. "The biggest problem is mental health."

The group is spreading awareness for the fact that cannabis is proven to help with PTSD. There are 200,000 veterans in Nevada, people that the group says cannabis can assist. According to the non-profit organization Heroes Smile, up to 20% of veterans of the Iraq War suffer from PTSD, according to Fox 5 Vegas. For the Vietnam Ware, those numbers rise to 30%.

For veterans that suffer from PTSD, the ongoing treatment requirements are often extremely taxing and difficult to go through. 

"PTSD is actually like a vicious cycle," said Dr. Pejman Bady, a doctor of osteopathy. "They get into this thought, or memory or a particular situation ... that sets this vicious cycle up. And they go into this of severe anxiety or any, any sequel of fear. Cannabis works at a different portion of the brain. It’s called the amygdala."

According to Veterans Care Charity, that's exactly why spreading awareness for these treatments is so important. Resources are hard to come by, and the charity is trying to make them as accessible as possible.