Trauma and the Endocannabinoid System: Modulating and Regulating Fear Responses

Psychological trauma profoundly alters brain function, driving persistent changes in fear processing, emotional regulation, and stress responsiveness. These neurobiological disruptions underpin a wide spectrum of mental health conditions, including PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression, presenting significant challenges for clinicians in achieving sustained therapeutic outcomes.

This webinar explores the neurophysiology of trauma, with a focus on how maladaptive fear responses develop and persist within key brain regions such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Central to this discussion is the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a critical neuromodulatory network that acts as a regulatory “buffer,” maintaining homeostasis in response to stress.

Participants will examine how the ECS functions as a retrograde signalling system, dynamically modulating neurotransmitter release to influence fear expression and facilitate fear extinction. Drawing on emerging evidence, the session will explore how dysregulation of the ECS may contribute to trauma-related psychopathology and how targeted therapeutic strategies, including cannabinoids, may support restoration of emotional balance.

Importantly, this webinar emphasises that pharmacological approaches alone are insufficient. It will highlight the essential role of psychotherapy, including trauma-informed care models, in promoting long-term recovery. Clinicians will gain insight into how to integrate cannabinoid-based therapies and other pharmacological interventions within a multimodal treatment framework, supporting improved patient outcomes and functional recovery.

This session is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of trauma biology and apply evidence-informed, patient-centred approaches in clinical practice.