Research on the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The No More Zombie Veterans campaign, led by veteran Derek Pyrah, is dedicated to advocating for therapies that support the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help veterans manage treatment-resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and other chronic health conditions. Below is a curated list of 16 peer-reviewed studies from 2008 to 2023, exploring the ECS’s role in these conditions. These studies underscore the potential of ECS-based therapies, such as medicinal cannabis, as safer alternatives to traditional psychiatric treatments, supporting our mission to reduce veteran suicide rates and enhance quality of life.

Use the dropdown menu to view studies sorted by publication date. Each entry includes a brief summary, key findings, and a link to the full study.

ECS Studies by Publication Date

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Resources - No More Zombie Veterans
  • Medical Cannabis for Treatment-Resistant Combat PTSD
    Authors: Nacasch N, Avni C, Toren P
    Journal: Frontiers in Psychiatry
    Summary: This study examines the long-term efficacy of ECS-based therapies, such as medicinal cannabis, in chronic combat-related PTSD patients, focusing on sleep quality, symptom reduction, and overall well-being.
    Key Findings: Over 65% of patients showed at least a 20% reduction in PTSD symptoms, with nearly 80% reporting improved sleep quality and duration, supporting safer treatment options for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep and Medical Cannabis Treatment: A Daily Diary Study
    Authors: Not specified
    Journal: Not specified
    Summary: This study investigates the impact of ECS-based therapies, particularly medicinal cannabis, on sleep disturbances in PTSD patients, using a daily diary method to track outcomes.
    Key Findings: ECS modulation significantly improved sleep duration and reduced nightmares in PTSD patients, enhancing overall well-being for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Use of Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Authors: Not specified
    Journal: Not specified
    Summary: This study evaluates the efficacy of ECS-based therapies, including medicinal cannabis, in treating PTSD symptoms like nightmares, hyperarousal, and flashbacks.
    Key Findings: ECS modulation improved various PTSD symptoms, including sleep quality and hyperarousal, offering a promising alternative for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Cannabis in the Management of PTSD: A Systematic Review
    Authors: Rehman Y, Saini A, Huang S, Sood E, Gill R, Yanikomeroglu S
    Journal: AIMS Neuroscience
    Summary: This systematic review evaluates the role of ECS modulation through cannabis in managing PTSD symptoms, highlighting improvements in quality of life.
    Key Findings: ECS-based therapies reduced overall PTSD symptoms and improved quality of life, supporting their use for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Endocannabinoid System as Therapeutic Target of PTSD: A Systematic Review
    Authors: Steardo L Jr, Carbone EA, Menculini G, Moretti P, Steardo L, Tortorella A
    Journal: Life
    Summary: This review assesses the therapeutic potential of ECS-based treatments for PTSD, focusing on their impact on sleep disorders, arousal disturbances, and suicidal thoughts.
    Key Findings: ECS therapies improved PTSD symptoms, reduced pain, and enhanced social functioning, offering a safer option for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Targeting the Endocannabinoid System in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Promising Case of Preclinical-Clinical Translation
    Authors: Not specified
    Journal: Not specified
    Summary: This study explores the translation of preclinical ECS research to clinical applications for PTSD, focusing on therapeutic potential.
    Key Findings: ECS-based therapies showed promise in reducing PTSD symptoms, with preclinical data supporting clinical efficacy for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control of Stress with Cannabidiol
    Authors: Not specified
    Journal: Not specified
    Summary: This study examines how CBD enhances ECS modulation to reduce stress responses in PTSD patients.
    Key Findings: CBD improved stress regulation via ECS, reducing anxiety and hyperarousal in PTSD patients, supporting veteran treatment.
    [Read here]
  • Effects of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Aversive Memories and Anxiety: A Review from Human Studies
    Authors: Raymundi AM, da Silva TR, Sohn JMB, Bertoglio LJ, Stern CA
    Journal: BMC Psychiatry
    Summary: This review examines the effects of THC, an ECS modulator, on aversive memories and anxiety in PTSD patients, focusing on low-dose efficacy.
    Key Findings: Low-dose THC suppressed anxiety and aversive memory expression without significant adverse effects, especially when combined with CBD, benefiting veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Short and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    Authors: LaFrance EM, Glodosky NC, Bonn-Miller M, Cuttler C
    Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders
    Summary: This study investigates the immediate and long-term effects of ECS modulation through cannabis on PTSD symptoms, focusing on dose-dependent outcomes.
    Key Findings: ECS-based therapies reduced PTSD symptoms by over 50% immediately after use, with higher doses predicting greater reductions in intrusions and anxiety for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Discovery of a NAPE-PLD Inhibitor that Modulates Emotional Behavior in Mice
    Authors: Mock ED, Mustafa M, Gunduz-Cinar O, et al.
    Journal: Nature Chemical Biology
    Summary: This study explores the role of anandamide, an endocannabinoid, in modulating emotional behavior and erasing traumatic memories.
    Key Findings: NAPE-PLD inhibition increased anandamide levels, reducing stress and traumatic memory recall in mice, relevant to PTSD treatment for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • The Effectiveness of Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Systematic Review
    Authors: Hindocha C, Cousijn J, Rall M, Bloomfield MAP
    Journal: Journal of Dual Diagnosis
    Summary: This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of ECS-based therapies, including cannabinoids, in treating PTSD, with a focus on sleep disturbances and nightmares.
    Key Findings: ECS modulation significantly reduced global PTSD symptoms, particularly sleep disturbances and nightmares, supporting veteran care.
    [Read here]
  • Review: Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System
    Authors: Not specified
    Journal: Not specified
    Summary: This review explores the role of cannabinoid receptors and the ECS in CNS signaling, with implications for PTSD and TBI treatment.
    Key Findings: ECS modulation via CB1 and CB2 receptors offers therapeutic potential for managing PTSD and TBI symptoms in veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Cannabidiol Regulation of Emotion and Emotional Memory Processing: Relevance for Treating Anxiety-Related and Substance Abuse Disorders
    Authors: Lee JLC, Bertoglio LJ, Guimarães FS, Stevenson CW
    Journal: British Journal of Pharmacology
    Summary: This study examines CBD’s role in modulating the ECS to reduce anxiety and fear memory processing in PTSD and related disorders.
    Key Findings: CBD reduced anxiety via ECS and 5-HT1A receptor activation, disrupting fear memory reconsolidation and enhancing extinction, aiding veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Cannabidiol Regulation of Learned Fear: Implications for Treating Anxiety-Related Disorders
    Authors: Jurkus R, Day HL, Guimarães FS, Lee JL, Bertoglio LJ, Stevenson CW
    Journal: Frontiers in Pharmacology
    Summary: This study explores how cannabidiol (CBD) modulates the ECS to reduce learned fear, relevant to PTSD and anxiety disorders.
    Key Findings: CBD reduced fear expression, disrupted memory reconsolidation, and enhanced fear extinction, supporting sustained fear reduction for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Facilitation of Contextual Fear Memory Extinction and Anti-Anxiogenic Effects of AM404 and Cannabidiol in Conditioned Rats
    Authors: Bitencourt RM, Pamplona FA, Takahashi RN
    Journal: European Neuropsychopharmacology
    Summary: This study investigates the ECS’s role in modulating fear memory extinction and anxiety in conditioned rats, focusing on AM404 and CBD.
    Key Findings: ECS modulation with AM404 and CBD reduced anxiogenic effects and promoted fear memory extinction, relevant to PTSD treatment for veterans.
    [Read here]
  • Short- and Long-Term Effects of Cannabinoids on the Extinction of Contextual Fear Memory in Rats
    Authors: Pamplona FA, Bitencourt RM, Takahashi RN
    Journal: Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
    Summary: This study examines the ECS’s role in facilitating short- and long-term fear memory extinction in rats, relevant to PTSD treatment.
    Key Findings: ECS manipulation enhanced short-term fear memory extinction with long-lasting effects, supporting therapeutic potential for veterans.
    [Read here]