turmeric to reduce PTSD-related inflamation

According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, about six out of every 100 Americans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)...that is six percent of the US population or about 20 million people! But, seriously, everywhere you look, many of us qualify for PTSD, but few seek treatment. Why? One reason might be that counseling is hard work, and no one wants to be re-traumatized. Yet, counseling remains the gold standard for trauma treatment (and if you seek counseling, please find a trained trauma counselor).

But we're not here to talk just about counseling, are we. No! This blog is about inflammation that comes from our traumatic experiences. Science shows time and again that PTSD causes inflammation, and there are even studies that point to inflammation's role in sustaining PTSD symptoms. It’s like a vicious cycle.

One way to stop the cycle might be to couple anti-inflammatories with counseling (sorry, counseling will keep popping up). In fact, the Food and Drug Administration approved two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat PTSD. SSRIs are commonly prescribed by psychiatrists to treat anxiety and depression, which are usually noticed in those of us who experience PTSD. But they come with some hefty side effects. For a fancy international flare, here are SSRI side effects listed by Scotland’s national health information service : 

• Agitation

• Anxiousness 

• Indigestion

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Appetite and weight changes

• Dizziness

• Blurry vision

• Dry mouth

• Low sex drive

• Erectile dysfunction

So in some ways, by taking an SSRI, you could be trading one set of problems for another, although SSRIs are necessary for some people.  

Turmeric may be an effective, natural alternative to SSRIs. While there is a need to run clinical trials in humans to use Turmeric to treat PTSD, the underlying evidence of the herb's effect on similar and often comorbid diseases (which include inflammation) is supportive. In fact, turmeric (curcumin) has been used for thousands of years across Eastern cultures to reduce inflammation. 

Suppose you are ready to heal from traumatic experiences. In that case, we wish you well on your journey to resolve the trauma, which science shows can be incredibly helpful to your holistic health. Although counseling is the key, turmeric may help you along the path. First, talk to your doctor about how turmeric might impact your situation. Then get a clinical pharmacy consult to ensure that turmeric will not negatively interact with your prescribed medications.  

Meanwhile, if you would like to see if trauma counseling is right for you, take a minute to sign up for a free 15-minute consultation. Your good health is worth it!