title: Preliminary, open-label, pilot study of add-on oral Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in chronic post-traumatic stress disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) achieve but partial remission with current treatments. Patients with unremitted PTSD show high rates of substance abuse. Marijuana is often used as compassion add-on therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD. This open-label study evaluates the tolerance and safety of orally absorbable Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for chronic PTSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten outpatients with chronic PTSD, on stable medication, received 5 mg of Δ(9)-THC twice a day as add-on treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were mild adverse effects in three patients, none of which led to treatment discontinuation. The intervention caused a statistically significant improvement in global symptom severity, sleep quality, frequency of nightmares, and PTSD hyperarousal symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orally absorbable Δ(9)-THC was safe and well tolerated by patients with chronic PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel, pabloroitman36@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roitman
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mechoulam
authors.forename: Rena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cooper-Kazaz
authors.forename: Arieh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shalev
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004325:Dreams / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D013759:Dronabinol