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THC treatment cuts PTSD nightmares in Berlin Charité study
Researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, led by Prof. Stefan Röpke, conducted a randomized, placebo‑controlled trial of the cannabis‑derived drug dronabinol (THC) in 171 patients with post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who suffered frequent nightmares. Participants received the medication for ten weeks. More than half of those treated with THC showed a clinically relevant reduction in nightmare intensity, and over one‑third reported that nightmares disappeared completely. The overall severity of PTSD symptoms did not change significantly, and side effects were mild (e.g., dizziness, headache, increased appetite). The findings were published in *Nature Medicine* and highlight a potential new option for a symptom that current antidepressants and blood‑pressure drugs fail to address, although no specific medication for trauma‑related nightmares is yet approved in Germany.
The study suggests that THC may dampen REM‑sleep dream activity by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, thereby reducing nocturnal stress responses. If confirmed in larger trials, the approach could offer relief to many PTSD patients who experience severe sleep disruption and fear of going to bed.
Entities
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin · Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin · Dronabinol · Germany · Nature Medicine · Nature Medicine · Post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · Prof. Stefan Röpke · Stefan Röpke · THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) · Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) · dronabinol (THC)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Over one third of participants receiving THC experienced a complete disappearance of nightmares. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] Current PTSD treatment in Germany relies mainly on antidepressants and blood‑pressure medications, which have limited effect on nightmares. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] THC appears to reduce REM‑sleep activity, which may lessen nighttime stress responses. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The study was conducted at the Charité university hospital in Berlin. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] Stefan Röpke led the research on THC for PTSD nightmares. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than half of participants receiving THC reported reduced nightmares. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de
- [● 4 SOURCES] The trial enrolled 171 participants. www.nordbayern.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.onetz.de · www.recklinghaeuser-zeitung.de