By Dr. Demetria Bates, DNP, FNP-BC, CCE, and Health Coach

The transition from military service to civilian life marks a profound chapter in the lives of veterans. This shift in life is filled with unique challenges and opportunities to start anew in a world they have fought to keep safe.

When soldiers depart from service, most are diagnosed with mental conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Veterans are left to navigate these mental challenges despite healthcare access and quality of care. These challenges often demand holistic approaches to wellness that go beyond conventional treatments such as yoga, tai chi, healthy eating habits, breathwork, aromatherapy, and hypnotherapy.

Mental Health Benefits of Exercise Beyond the Physical Realm

Exercise is a tool for mental well-being. Exercise has been known to provide preventative and therapeutic benefits for mental health. Studies show that exercise has antidepressant effects and 50% of veterans use alternative treatment approaches for mental health conditions (Reis, Gaddy, & Chen, 2022).

In addition, exercise can reduce stress and enhance mood which contributes to the cultivation of mental resilience (Reis, Gaddy, & Chen, 2022). This resilience becomes a guiding light as veterans navigate the challenges of mental health in hopes of improving their overall well-being.

Cannabis as a Complementary Element to Physical Activity

Cannabis is a natural plant with known medicinal properties (Legare, Raup-Konsavage, & Vrana, 2022). Studies show that Cannabis is the second highest-ranked consumed supplement among athletes (Ogle et al., 2022). Cannabis consumed for exercise has been known to increase levels of participation, motivation, and enjoyment (Gillman, Hutchison & Bryan, 2015).

Cannabis can be consumed before, during, and after physical activity, which can help with pain reduction from muscle soreness, reduce inflammation, and enhance sleep quality to restore the body’s endocannabinoid tone to a balanced state (Pinzone et al., 2023). Cannabis and exercise complement each other by offering a multifaceted approach to physical and mental well-being.

Veterans, Cannabis, & Stigma

Veterans have experienced intense physical training for the sake of serving and protecting their country without worrying about the detrimental effects post-service. Veterans are suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, depression, and other traumatic injuries, but do not have access to Cannabis via the U.S. Veteran Affairs Department due to federal law.

Veteran Affairs (VA) healthcare providers cannot recommend medical Cannabis or assist veterans in obtaining it, however, VA providers can discuss Cannabis use as part of comprehensive care planning and document Cannabis use in the medical record (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023).

Veterans may have access to medical Cannabis if it is legal in the state in which they reside without risk of losing health care or disability benefits (Woodward, 2010; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023).

Veterans took an oath to protect and serve their nation and the best we can do is advocate for a holistic approach to veterans' well-being. The Cannabis stigma is still evident based on federal law, but it is time to legalize and destigmatize the Cannabis plant.

With increasing legalization and research, Cannabis provides therapeutic benefits for those suffering from physical and mental health conditions, especially veterans. The relationship between exercise and Cannabis is complementary and it calls for a reevaluation of policies to better support veterans in their pursuit of physical and mental harmony post-service.

References

1. Reis DJ, Gaddy MA, Chen GJ. Exercise to Reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Veterans. Fed Pract. 2022 Apr;39(4):158-166. doi: 10.12788/fp.0248. Epub 2022 Apr 12. PMID: 35756827; PMCID: PMC9217079.

2. Christopher A. Legare, Wesley M. Raup-Konsavage, Kent E. Vrana; Therapeutic Potential of Cannabis, Cannabidiol, and Cannabinoid-Based Pharmaceuticals. Pharmacology 4 March 2022; 107 (3-4): 131–149. https://doi.org/10.1159/000521683.

3.Ogle, W.L., Gold, G.J., Coppen, L.E. et al. How and why adults use cannabis during physical activity. J Cannabis Res 4, 24 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00134-z.

4. Gillman AS, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Cannabis and Exercise Science: A Commentary on Existing Studies and Suggestions for Future Directions. Sports Med. 2015 Oct;45(10):1357-63. doi: 10.1007/s40279-015-0362-3. PMID: 26178329.

5. Pinzone AG, Erb EK, Humm SM, Kearney SG, Kingsley JD. Cannabis use for exercise recovery in trained individuals: a survey study. J Cannabis Res. 2023 Aug 5;5(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s42238-023-00198-5. PMID: 37542349; PMCID: PMC10403841.

6. US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. “Va.Gov: Veterans Affairs.” Protect Your Health, 9 Feb. 2017, www.publichealth.va.gov/marijuana.asp.

7. Woodward C. United States war Veterans gain access to medicinal marijuana. CMAJ. 2010 Sep 21;182(13):1405-6. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.109-3334. Epub 2010 Aug 16. PMID: 20713581; PMCID: PMC2942910.

About Dr. Demetria Bates, DNP, FNP-BC, CCE

Dr. Demetria Bates, DNP, FNP-BC, CCE, is a distinguished healthcare professional with a passion for bridging the gap between Cannabis medicine and Western medicine. She is the founder and CEO of Bates Virtual Health & Consultants, LLC which provides medical card services exclusively for Virginia residents. She works with individuals seeking to understand the integration of Cannabis medicine for health and wellness.  

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Effective Cannabis Newsletter is a platform to educate on the vital role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in one's health. The information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in or available through this newsletter is for general information purposes only. It is not medical advice; it is health awareness.