Medical Marijuana Expert Discusses PTSD and Depression (VIDEO)

The Doc says unlike depression, anguish is very close to what a PTSD sufferer experiences.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Dr. Phil Leveque and Bonnie King from Salem-News.com discuss a very important subject, that is the connection between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression, or a lack of one to be more specific.

The Veterans Administration says PTSD is a form of depression. Dr. Leveque, who has suffered from PTSD since 1945, says that this finding is geared toward saving the VA more money as it continues to delay and deny veteran disability claims; a process all vets don't outlive.

This retired Physician/Professor of Pharmacology, who still works as a Forensic Toxicologist as well as a Salem-News.com Writer, says PTSD leads to Anguish, not depression.

Dr. Leveque says the VA's reasoning amounts to a "wastebasket diagnosis" and he sure might know, having treated over 400 Vietnam Veterans, many PTSD victims among them, during his years as a busy physician.

His recent article, Depression: The Safest Therapy is Cannabis Antidepressant Drugs Sadly Overrated brought this conversation to life a few days ago. Today's interview delves into this argument with some help from a dictionary.

He said that book defined 'Depression' as being, "dejected, dispirited, lowered in vitality or function or inactivity and sad"

He says the dictionary's description of 'Anguish' is, "distress, difficulty, extreme pain, agony, torture and torment". This, Dr. Leveque says, is very close to the feelings a PTSD sufferer experiences.

Dr. Leveque is a WWII Army Combat Infantryman. Watch for his ongoing reports on PTSD and medical marijuana here on Salem-News.com, and send your questions to the email listed below:

Bonnie King has been with Salem-News.com since August '04, when she became Publisher. Bonnie has served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas", posts as TV Promotion Director for KYMA (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), Radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER). Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers. View articles written by Bonnie King

Dr. Phillip Leveque has degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and minors in physiology and biochemistry. He was a Professor of Pharmacology, employed by the University of London for 2 years, during which time he trained the first doctors in Tanzania. After training doctors, he became an Osteopathic Physician, as well as a Forensic Toxicologist.

Before any of that, Phil Leveque was a Combat Infantryman in the U.S. Army in WWII. He suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder more than 60 years after the war, and specialized in treating Veterans with PTSD during his years as a doctor in Molalla, Oregon. Do you have a question, comment or story to share with Dr. Leveque?
Email him: ASK DR. LEVEQUE
More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole". Order the book by mail by following this link: DOGFACE SOLDIER OF WWII If you are a World War II history buff, you don't want to miss it.

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Jeff Kaye~ January 12, 2010 11:15 am (Pacific time)

Very uplifting and encouraging seeing two of my favorite people together talking about my favorite medicine, which is denied to me by law in my state. These brave folks (Thank you, Tim, Bonnie and Dr. Phil!) are helping dispel the entrenched disinformation, misinformation and outright lies that've been foisted upon us for over 70 years by our own government. Dr. Phil has more sense in his left pinkie nail than all the conventional "wisdom" of the government's medical establishment combined. The VA is intentionally mis-diagnosing thousands of vets so as to "save" money. What they're doing is a travesty, creating more and more problems and delaying treatment for our national heroes in uniform. Seldom is heard this calm, courageous voice of cutting-edge, honest, open revelation regarding a whole system gone wrong, in serious need of revamping. Jobless GI's are increasingly becoming homeless, and are helpless in the face of overwhelming bureaucratic red-tape. All of this can be overcome with a simple implementation of a great idea our current President had; let science dictate policy. Science tells us Cannabis (marijuana) is the best medicine for PTSD, which is (NOT depression, as Dr. Phil points out) the mental anguish suffered by those exposed to traumatic situations. It is time for us to face the facts, and stop sweeping our courageous veterans under the rug of deliberate misdiagnosis. Call it what it is, and treat it with the safest, most effective medicine ever grown. Rescheduling from Schedule I to any other will allow prescriptions by doctors and further studies to benefit all of us. Not to mention create thousands of jobs for thousands of jobless Americans. Imagine that. So much good can come from just telling the truth. George Washington was right. On both counts; "Never tell a lie" and "Make the most of the hemp seed - sow it everywhere". Cannabis Common Sense! Wow, there should be a show by that name. Oh, yeah, there is! http://thc-foundation.com/ccs/

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