Dr. Sanjay Gupta comes out in support of medical marijuana for PTSD

Dr. Sanjay Gupta comes out in support of medical marijuana
‘We have been terribly and systematically misled’
Gupta, who is CNN's chief medical correspondent, said he had been too dismissive of research and case studies that pointed to benefits of medicinal marijuana.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY TRACY MILLER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2013

Dr. Sanjay Gupta has something to say about marijuana: I was wrong.

The high-profile doc, who is CNN's chief medical correspondent, apologized for "not looking hard enough" at the research on medicinal marijuana that suggests it can help treat conditions from chronic pain to post-traumatic stress disorder.

"We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that," he wrote in an op-ed published Thursday on CNN.com.

"It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications. In fact, sometimes marijuana is the only thing that works."

Gupta, who authored a 2009 Time magazine article titled "Why I would Vote No on Pot," changed his mind while working on his documentary "Weed," which airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on CNN.
read more here

Ecstasy may help PTSD

You need to see this video, especially if you are under the delusion scientist are not sure about PTSD. It is real. They have the test and research to prove it!

Ecstasy may help PTSD 2:02
CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on research showing ecstasy might help those suffering from PTSD.

For more on this on this blog

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Tom Shroder wants questions from you on ecstasy trials for PTSD

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Ecstasy Trials Was it a fluke -- or the future?

Monday, February 11, 2008

A New Look At Ecstasy To Treat PTSD

Monday, February 18, 2008

Breaking the Drug Taboo:PTSD Veterans Get Ecstasy Treatment

Monday, April 7, 2008

UK:Welsh soldier dies from Ecstasy use

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Australia tackles Ecstasy treatment for PTSD

Monday, June 23, 2008

Ecstasy for PTSD in Australia battle for minds

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Drug trials:Had a nice trip. Wish you could, too.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

From Marijuana to Ecstasy, Scientists Fight to Study Illicit Drugs

But, this study is not new. This is from my other blog


Ecstasy trials for combat stress
David Adam,
science correspondent
Thursday February 17, 2005
The Guardian
American soldiers traumatised by fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are to be offered the drug ecstasy to help free them of flashbacks and recurring nightmares.

The US food and drug administration has given the go-ahead for the soldiers to be included in an experiment to see if MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy, can treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Scientists behind the trial in South Carolina think the feelings of emotional closeness reported by those taking the drug could help the soldiers talk about their experiences to therapists. Several victims of rape and sexual abuse with post-traumatic stress disorder, for whom existing treatments are ineffective, have been given MDMA since the research began last year.............................
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1416073,00.html



TWO QUESTIONS ON THIS LITTLE KNOWN REPORT. ARE THEY STILL DOING THIS? ARE THE TROOPS BEING SENT BACK TO IRAQ TAKING IT? WE KNOW THEY ARE SENDING TROOPS DIAGNONSED WITH PTSD BACK TO IRAQ ON MEDS. IS THIS ONE OF THEM? COULD THIS BE THE CAUSE OF SOME OF THEM GOING OVER THE EDGE?
http://namguardianangel.blogspot.com/search?q=ecstacy+trails

Iraq vets and post-traumatic stress: No easy answers

Iraq vets and post-traumatic stress: No easy answers
Story Highlights
Study shows 1 in 5 U.S. veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan has PTSD, depression

One study found about half seek treatment; other study, less than 40 percent do

Kris Goldsmith returned from Iraq depressed, angry and profoundly changed

Today Goldsmith works with veterans' rights groups and anti-war movement

By A. Chris Gajilan
CNN Senior Producer

BELLMORE, New York (CNN) -- Walking through a crowded shopping mall can bring back memories of war. The shifting crowds, the jostle of passers-by and the din can all trigger Army Sgt. Kristofer Goldsmith's post-traumatic stress disorder.

"You get used to scanning what everybody's doing. Your brain just starts working so fast and it's purely instinctual because you want to know what everyone's intent is around you," said Goldsmith, who served four years in active duty.

"You want to know if anyone has the intent to harm you or the capabilities to harm you."
That hyper-vigilance is one common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD, an anxiety disorder, can develop after a terrifying or life-threatening event, or a series of events causing extreme stress.

It's a complex disorder that displays myriad symptoms. People may become more depressed, aggressive, or emotionally detached. For Goldsmith, the chest-tightening anxiety attacks and trouble sleeping he experienced after returning from Iraq in 2005 indicated he was suffering from PTSD.

"With PTSD comes anxiety problems, depression problems ... I get flashes of rage, which goes hand in hand with alcoholism I've been fighting since I got back from Iraq," Goldsmith said.
Dr Gupta: Watch more on Kris Goldsmith's war experience »

As more troops return from the battlefield, the U.S. military faces a burgeoning dilemma of diagnosing and treating PTSD.

According to the latest Pentagon study, published in 2004, about one in six veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from PTSD, depression or anxiety. Learn more about PTSD

go here for more
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/24/ptsd.struggle/

A vet's struggle with PTSD 3:29Iraq vet Kris Goldsmith nearly died from post-traumatic stress disorder. CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.
• Health News - Medicine, Diet, Fitness and Parenting from CNN.com
Source: CNN Added October 24, 2008
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/24/ptsd.struggle/#cnnSTCVideo

Iraq and Afghanistan PTSD veterans, CNN wants to hear from you

This comment was left on my YouTube group. It's no joke. I got off the phone with her less than a half hour ago.

acginnyc has sent you a message on YouTube:
CNN urgent request -- PTSD/veterans
Greetings, My name is Chris Gajilan. I’m a senior producer for CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I came across your channel on youtube.

We are working on a piece profiling an Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran who suffers from PTSD. I am wondering if you could help us find the appropriate person who is willing to share their story – who has benefited from your program. The report will be part of a larger CNN and MTV project. Our networks are working together towards an MTV special airing 10/24 that will become a CNN “Anderson Cooper 360” special airing the following day.

The MTV program is a 4-hour event “Fight for Veterans” that will include music acts and news pieces. The news pieces come from CNN and will focus on vet issues. Here are some of the elements we’d like to consider: --a veteran of the Iraq/Afghanistan war who suffers from PTSD.

--in their 20s or 30s
--he/she has family members who have been affected by their loved one with PTSD and are willing to be interviewed on camera.
--lives in NY city area or Atlanta
--ideally we would shoot some footage sometime next week (week of 09/15 or week of 09/22) and again on Friday 10/10 (Dr. Gupta will spend some time interviewing them).
--vet who has still photos or home video of himself/herself and family over the years.
--if possible, somebody who struggled to get PTSD care after asking for help

Thanks again,
Chris A. Chris Gajilan Senior Producer
CNN Medical News One Time Warner Center, 0403N3 New York, NY 10019
w 212.275.8058
I m 917.406.7742
I f 212.275.9549

Speaking out on PTSD
PTSD is a wound. No one would be ashamed of a bullet wound. Why be ashamed of this wound? End the silence and break the stigma. More than you know suffer from this wound. Trauma is Greek for wound.
acginnyc has made a comment on PTSD Final battle of war:
Thanks for your video NamGuardian. This msg is for any iraq/afghanistan vets who are willing to share their stories of PTSD. Im a senior producer for CNN. We are working on a piece profiling an Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran who suffers from PTSD. If you're interested in speaking to us pls msg me.



If you feel my videos helped you, then help CNN. Their goal is the same as mine. To help veterans heal. We have to get rid of the stigma and provide the help, support and knowledge to all veterans dealing with this wound and give other veterans a reason to hope they can be healed. Too many are taking their own lives as hope slips through their hands. Do you want to feel like a hero again? You are one already because you were born that way. It may have been a very long time since you last felt like one though. Coming forward and being willing to talk about what has been going on, what has helped you, will help others.

I'm keeping my promise to all of you to keep your stories and emails private and will not break that ever. It's up to you to contact CNN to talk to them. I can understand some of you won't be able to but for those who are, pray for them so they can be your voice.

Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington

Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at power of prayer

Prayer as healing source 2:41
Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the effects of faith and prayer on our health.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/06/25/gupta.power.of.prayer.cnn

Claims of PTSD being "over-used" avoid reality

"Trauma survivors have a different outlook. There is a new sense of danger and vulnerability," he said. "But it doesn't mean you're not resilient."

Forum looks at storm victims, war veterans
Groups have much in common
By MEGHA SATYANARAYANA
megha@sunherald.com

War and a hurricane - when it comes to mental trauma, the two aren't so different.
This was one conclusion of a forum Thursday night featuring two mental-health professionals and a Sun Herald staff writer. The seminar was about post-traumatic stress syndrome, the recognized precursor of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mental trauma after the storm fell into two categories, said Steve Barrilleaux, director of Outpatient Services at Gulf Coast Mental Health Center in Gulfport. There were those with no mental-health problems before Katrina, who afterward began feeling anxiety and depression for the first time. Then there were those with pre-existing issues, which the hurricane exacerbated.
go here for the rest
http://www.sunherald.com/201/story/172947.html

"But these symptoms alone are not enough for a PTSD diagnosis, which he said is overused." Barrilleaux went on to claim.

If anything, it is under diagnosed.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Navy Psychologist Warns of Mental Health Provider, PTSD Training Shortfalls

From USA Today:


From his distant vantage point treating Marines at a base in Iwakuni, Japan, [Navy Cmdr. Mark] Russell, 46, has been speaking out for three years that the U.S. military faces a mental health crisis in the treatment of its combat veterans.

He has fired off memos to higher command and has gone public with his views, an unusual step for many in the military. Russell discussed his concerns in phone and Internet interviews. "We cannot provide the standard of care to treat PTSD via psychotherapy when we can barely keep up with new referrals and have to manage crises while filling in for the staffing gaps and vacancies due to deployment, attrition or no billeting," Russell says. "This is why I have been so outspoken."
http://ptsdcombat.blogspot.com/2007/01/navy-psychologist-warns-of-mental.html

From NAMI
How common is PTSD?
Studies suggest that anywhere between 2 percent and 9 percent of the population has had some degree of PTSD. However, the likelihood of developing the disorder is greater when someone is exposed to multiple traumas or traumatic events early in life (or both), especially if the trauma is long term or repeated. More cases of this disorder are found among inner-city youths and people who have recently emigrated from troubled countries. And women seem to develop PTSD more often than men.

Veterans are perhaps the people most often associated with PTSD, or what was once referred to as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue." The Anxiety Disorders Association of America notes that an estimated 15 percent to 30 percent of the 3.5 million men and women who served in Vietnam have suffered from PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?Although the symptoms for individuals with PTSD can vary considerably, they generally fall into three categories:

Re-experience - Individuals with PTSD often experience recurrent and intrusive recollections of and/or nightmares about the stressful event. Some may experience flashbacks, hallucinations, or other vivid feelings of the event happening again. Others experience great psychological or physiological distress when certain things (objects, situations, etc.) remind them of the event.
Avoidance - Many with PTSD will persistently avoid things that remind them of the traumatic event. This can result in avoiding everything from thoughts, feelings, or conversations associated with the incident to activities, places, or people that cause them to recall the event. In others there may be a general lack of responsiveness signaled by an inability to recall aspects of the trauma, a decreased interest in formerly important activities, a feeling of detachment from others, a limited range of emotion, and/or feelings of hopelessness about the future.

Increased arousal - Symptoms in this area may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, irritability or outbursts of anger, difficulty concentrating, becoming very alert or watchful, and/or jumpiness or being easily startled.

It is important to note that those with PTSD often use alcohol or other drugs in an attempt to self-medicate. Individuals with this disorder may also be at an increased risk for suicide.
go here for the rest

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=
By_Illness&template=/ContentManagement/
ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=10095

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and the CNN Medical Unit

It's no surprise that most people who endure a traumatic event suffer from some symptoms of PTSD, but the effects will often subside. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, about 8 percent of men and 20 percent of women go on to develop PTSD and roughly 20 percent of those people develop a chronic lifelong form of it. The condition is associated with other ailments such as increased risk of heart disease in men.

In terms of children, Stanford researchers found that severe stress can damage a child's brain. They looked at children suffering from PTSD as result of severe abuse and found that they often suffered a decrease in the size of the hippocampus - a part of the brain involved in memory processing and emotion. What's even more startling is that this effect on the brain may make it even harder for them to process normal stress for the rest of their lives. These days, more and more money and attention is being directed towards PTSD research, due in great part to the war. As troops come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, as many as 13 percent are found to have PTSD. There can be thousands more whose conditions go undiagnosed.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/blogs/paging.dr.gupta
/2007/08/back-to-va-tech-ptsd-concerns.html

Anyone can claim whatever they want if they have a title after their name but if they have no, or little, background dealing with PTSD, they will make claims that are not educated ones. I've read what they've had to say for 25 years. The professionals who write what is lived with and through are the ones I trust. If they come out with claims that PTSD is over used, I don't trust them.

There have been too many cases of someone having PTSD and not being diagnosed with it. Over 22,000 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan were given "personality disorder" markers instead of PTSD. Max Cleland, triple amputee, ex-senator, ex-head of the VA, was diagnosed with depression and treated for that since Vietnam, but it turned out, he too had PTSD.