New research suggests that marijuana could provide relief for patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a report by The Huffington Post.

The news comes after research was published in the journal Nueropscholopharmacology by Nachshon Korem and Irit Akirav of the Department of Psychology at the University of Haifa in Israel.

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The research was based around injecting rats with synthetic cannabinoids after undergoing traumatic experiences, and the study found that certain symptoms of PTSD were prevented. When receiving the synthetic cannabinoids, the part of the brain that forms traumatic memories was altered and the rats were no longer showing PTSD symptoms.

Cannabinoids are essentially multiple natural ingredients that make up the end result of marijuana. For example, THC is marijuana's main psychoactive ingredient, which gives users the feeling of being "high." Whereas the other main ingredient known as CBD gives users medicinal value without having a psychoactive effect.

In this case the researchers reportedly used WIN 55,212-2, which is a synthetic cannabinoid similar to that of THC.

The researchers first gave all the rats that were part of the study an electric shock acting as the traumatic experience, and then injected half of the rats with the synthetic cannabinoid. 

A few days later, the researchers forced the rats to undergo "trauma reminders" which is supposed to trigger memories of the traumatic experience, in this case bring back memories of the electric shock.

After being exposed to trauma reminders, the researchers found the rats that didn't receive the cannabinoid treatment were suffering from PTSD symptoms including "increased startle response, changes in pain sensitivity and impaired plasticity in the brain's reward center." However, the rats that were injected with the synthetic cannabinoid weren't showing any signs of suffering from the same symptoms.

"The findings of our study suggest that the connectivity within the brain's fear circuit changes following trauma, and the administration of cannabinoids prevents this change from happening," the researchers concluded. "This study can lead to future trials in humans regarding possible ways to prevent the development of PTSD and anxiety disorders in response to a traumatic event."

Tagsmarijuana, cannabis, Cannabinoids, THC, PTSD, marijuana research, medicine, Treatments