Top 10 Best Cannabis Strains for PTSD and Anxiety

People who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have a particular set of treatment options. However, the best marijuana strains for PTSD might help PTSD patients to forget the traumatic event and move on. Explore this fantastic article to learn how medical marijuana can mitigate pain and other symptoms in ailments. Also, scan through the best marijuana strains for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

When we review the best medical marijuana for PTSD, the marijuana strain that comes to mind is the Blueberry CBD strain; visit the official website!

Marijuana strains rich in CBD content can serve PTSD patients who don’t want to get high. There have been many pieces of research on the effect of cannabis on PTSD and its symptoms.

The men and women veterans who endanger their lives for defending the nation have to pay a massive price for their dignity as many times they suffer from PTSD. They need to have easy access to the most high-grade quality healthcare for their duties, which involves receiving adequate medical marijuana treatments.

Did you know?

National Center for PTSD reported that nearly 50% of women and 60% of men encounter PTSD at some point in their lives.

PTSD doesn’t harm veterans only; people who have gone through a traumatic event, encountered natural disasters, or are sufferers of sexual and physical abuse also undergo this psychiatric state.

Medical marijuana has served countless people in combat with PTSD, demonstrated by debilitating symptoms, including reducing the trauma, flashbacks, and illusions. The disease stops them from living an uplifted life because it hinders them from getting decent sleep and alters their routine.

What is PTSD?

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best cannabis strains for PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD) is a dangerous mental condition that can lead to other sorts of severe health problems.
People may undergo this situation at any step of their life. Its symptoms can involve the following conditions:

  • Mood disorders comprise distress, diminished memory, and reduced motivation to get linked with interactive liveliness.
  • Unusual arousals like anxiety, agitation, or lack of sleep
  • Avoiding people, gatherings, or places that draws back a recall of an event
  • Repeating thoughts, illusions, or frightening thoughts
  • Challenging to associate well with society; it can also trigger suicidal thoughts.

Did you know?
Those who work as veterans, sheriffs, ambulance operatives, or firefighters are more prone to experience post-traumatic stress disorder due to their nature of work and the calamity they often face.

Dr. Raphael Mechoulam is one of the prominent names in the cannabis industry. He published a study that uncovered that the cannabinoid system correlates with memory, specifically memory termination. 

While in 2016, a story distributed by Frontiers in Pharmacology implied that CBD content reduces fear in different ways. Firstly, by decreasing apprehension expression intensely and secondly by disrupting memory reconsolidation. Here at 420ExpertAdviser, we formulated a list of various marijuana strains that will assist individuals with PTSD in alleviating their symptoms. 

Introduction: PTSD and Medical Marijuana

Those who have PTSD may have disturbing feelings and thoughts for a long time after the occasion. As well as feeling angry, dreadful, and alone, they may even experience flashbacks or have nightmares

It is essential to understand that PTSD can happen to absolutely anybody, and it doesn’t cause weakness. It is more typical after a specific type of traumatic event, including sexual assault or battle. 

In numerous states with legalized marijuana, PTSD is on the list of qualifying conditions. It is because individuals suffering from the disorder have professed to see their symptoms decreased after using cannabis. However, certain marijuana strains will be more useful for PTSD patients than others. 

Late research has discovered that CBD content can help individuals reduce learned fears, which scientists accept is one of the underlying causes of PTSD. Additionally, THC content can help as well. 

THC and CBD benefit in distinctive ways. Some medical marijuana strains dominate CBD content, others have more THC content, and some have a right parity of them both. Each has something to contribute to individuals who have PTSD. 

So, What is C-PTSD and How Marijuana Can Help?

C-PTSD (complex post-traumatic stress disorder) is a sort of PTSD that usually stems from continued vulnerability to traumatic event situations – rather than from a particular occasion. 

C-PTSD befalls by living in a combat area or being a prisoner of war or experiencing physical or sexual abuse or traumatic event in childhood. Any of the symptoms of PTSD might be present in C-PTSD sufferers, in addition to emotional problems, dissociation, negative self-discernment, or Stockholm syndrome. 

The nervousness and nightmare alleviate, and temperament boosting effects of cannabis can likewise help those suffering from C-PTSD. 

PTSD Symptoms

PTSD fight or flight response symptoms can change in length. They often cause distress and difficulties with work. Patients can get discouraged, anxious, or involve in abuse. Suicidal thoughts are a critical concern. Such intricacies, in addition to memory, physical, and related psychological problems, can occur. Having sadness or uneasiness can further intensify PTSD symptoms. 

PTSD can affect hyper-alertness and phobic responses to traumatic situations. These feelings take you back to that repulsive incident. The PTSD symptoms of severe climate survivors can get more painful from threatening storms. 

The American Psychiatric Association lists unusual facts that include:

  • Experience a traumatic event.
  • PTSD symptoms last more than one month.
  • Routinely experience the traumatic event.
  • Avoid things that help you to remember the traumatic event.
  • Often “on-edge” with heightened senses such as alertness.
  • The disturbance causes impedance in social gatherings and the workplace. 

Can PTSD Be Treated Effectively?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is psychological maladjustment, and as with all dysfunctional behaviors, there are no known cures. However, treatment to assist patients with managing their PTSD can be hugely successful much of the time. 

Group therapy or Psychotherapy is the first course of treatment, just like most other forms of psychological maladjustment. Numerous therapists use specific approaches like cognitive processing therapy, which helps patients “work through” the traumatic event step-by-step to help them get past the particular triggers they still experience. 

Some patients, naturally, respond superior to others. Progress largely depends on the shock’s intensity and the patient’s capacity to work with the therapist. When these approaches fail or are just partially successful, the common enemy of nervousness or anti-depression prescriptions is mandatory. 

The goal is to relieve the symptoms – not just panic and anxiety but also negative self-image, halfway (dissociative) amnesia, and insomnia. Those issues can keep patients from completely functioning in the present, so the goal is to keep them from regularly returning to the past whenever a triggering occasion occurs. 

Elective medication approaches like needle therapy and yoga and elective drug therapies using ketamine or ecstasy are sometimes used. But more and more researches are confirming that the best practice of all might be cannabis. 

Regular Medical Treatments for PTSD

As there are mental and physical reasons for PTSD, there are two major types of treatment: psychotherapy and ordinary prescription. 

Psychotherapy

It is also a well-known technique called ‘counseling.’ It involves discussing feelings with a therapist. Psychotherapy is unquestionably a painful experience because, for it to be effective, one must recollect what occurred as best you can without being overpowered by dread or stress. 

When a patient remembers the occasion and analyzes it, and makes sense of it, their brain can finally store the memories away and proceed onward to other matters. When one feels safer, and in charge of their feelings, they can control their memories. Often, this allows them to abandon the need to continue avoiding them. 

There are several types of psychotherapy, including: 

Group Therapy:

As the name suggests, this therapy type involves meeting with a group of individuals who have experienced a similar kind of trauma. Sufferers may notice it more peaceful to talk about what transpired when they sit with sympathetic people who realize what they are going through. 

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):

This method involves concentrating on hand movements or sounds when you discuss the occasion. It’s accepted to enable the cerebrum to process flashbacks and make sense of the trauma. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy. The most widely recognized forms of CBT are Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT).

Prolonged Exposure (PE):

It is a severe therapy type because it involves talking about the traumatic occasion until the memories get upset. It betters in gaining control of thoughts and feelings identified with the trauma so patients can stop avoiding certain places or individuals that help them remember the occasion. 

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT):

In this method, patients learn skills to understand how the traumatic occasion has changed how they think, feel, and act. 

PTSD and Marijuana: Here’s What Research Says

A study by Dr. George R. Greer in 2014 showed that participants with PTSD reported, on average, a 75% reduction in significant PTSD symptoms while using clinical marijuana

Dr. Greer reported, “Numerous PTSD patients report symptom reduction with cannabis. A clinical preliminary is necessary to see what extent and what sort of PTSD patients benefit, with either cannabis or the fundamental active ingredients of cannabis.” 

As well as proof from studies, there is also an abundance of recounted confirmation self-reported by people living with PTSD. They say that their lives would be insufferable if it weren’t for the positive impact that clinical marijuana has on their debilitating condition. 

A paper that reviewed five studies of cannabis and PTSD discovered blended results. One of the studies in Israel showed that all of the patients were actively using cannabis. In contrast, the remaining four happened in the United States, with patients who had used cannabis. 

Three of these studies might be beneficial to using cannabis, but two discouraged its use. Overall, there has been conflicting information for the use of marijuana for PTSD, and the current proof is limited to case reports, episodic experiences, and observational studies. 

Furthermore, there are no controlled and randomized clinical trials, the gold standard for evaluating any drug, looking at patients with PTSD who are using cannabis. 

However, an ongoing study directed in Canada, where cannabis is legal, and researchers can more freely investigate its therapeutic properties, found that cannabis significantly improved an assortment of symptoms and quality of life after four months of use in about 600 PTSD patients

Even though more research is required, cannabis is useful to treat psychiatric disorders, including tension and depression, and numerous individuals use it to help soothe PTSD symptoms. Continue reading this article to explore some of the best cannabis strains for PTSD relief.

Indica or Sativa— Which Are The Best Marijuana Strains for PTSD?

Indica and Sativa don’t just differ in how they influence a person, but their appearance is also distinct. Sativa originated in some of the warm climate countries close to the equator. On the other hand, Indica arose in some nations of Central Asia where the climate is colder. 

Regarding the difference of their place of origin, Indica and Sativa shift in flowering, shape of leaf, and size. Indica grows wide but short, making them perfect for indoor marijuana. Sativa can grow up to 20 feet if developed outdoors, generating long leaves. 

Indica marijuana strains have calming characteristics, such as sedation and muscle relaxation. Containing high CBD content and low THC content, users are assured to observe an unusual body buzz. If you experience difficulty sleeping or suffering from migraines, aggravation, or ceaseless agony, then you should use Indica strains. 

krakenkratom-protipDid you know?

Even though medical marijuana grants many benefits to PTSD patients, a good lifestyle such as a healthy diet and regular exercise may stimulate the beneficial effects of marijuana in remedying PTSD.

Sativa strains make an intoxicating, encouraging, cheerful, and stimulating sentiment in a person. In moderate dosages, such strains are a prolific treatment for individuals going through stress-related trauma such as tension, depression, and PTSD

Note that such marijuana strains are also likely to amplify creativity and inventiveness, making it suitable for designers and artists. Given its dizzy effects, these marijuana strains are ideal for the daytime to attain the utmost relaxation and focus.

Top 10 Best Cannabis Strains for PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric dysfunction that includes many of the symptoms that marijuana has shown to be useful in handling. Medical marijuana’s demand as a PTSD medication is on the rise. Although we need much more research for the same, a few of the best marijuana strains have fortunately controlled nightmares, depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and other debilitating symptoms that occur with PTSD.

1 – OG Kush CBD from ILGM

OG-KUSH-cannabis-strain

It’s one of the best strains for people suffering from PTSD. There’s a classic CBD-dominant strain out there to alleviate many diseases. With less than 1% THC content and up to 15% CBD content, it makes the original strain’s great flavor without the high. 

With OG Kush CBD, PTSD sufferers can have many benefits without being high. That makes it the ideal decision for a morning toke while also potentially helping with everything from ADHD to PTSD and depression. 

If you’re a fanatic of all things citrus, OG Kush might be your favorite strain. The scent is a fresh, bright mix of lemony freshness with a propensity for pine. The essence is just as attractive, with citron, spice, and wood burn marks. 


2 – Carmagnola CBD from ILGM

carmagnola cbd cannabis strain

Carmagnola CBD is an Indica-dominant marijuana strain with almost no THC content and very high CBD content. It originated as an Italian industrial hemp strain due to its low THC content. Growing Carmagnola CBD seeds is an excellent idea to utilize high CBD weed.

Unlike many hemp flowers, Carmagnola has remarkable effects. Many PTSD sufferers state that it has benefited them to feel more relaxed and happy. It makes this the ideal weed for busy people who want a little relief throughout the day.

In addition to conventional marijuana, Carmagnola is excellent for making CBD-rich oils, extracts, and teas. The high CBD content may also assist with inflammation and is beneficial for pain relief. Besides, one of the usages of this strain is a replacement for tobacco. This hybrid medical cannabis strain is one of the best strains for PTSD patients to reduce their social anxiety.


3 – ACDC from Crop King Seeds

ACDC-cannabis-strain

One strain that can efficiently alleviate the discomfort of PTSD sufferers is ACDC. It is a famous strain with high CBD content; that’s the favorite of patients suffering from IBS’s chronic pain and discomfort. It is a Sativa-dominant strain and a phenotype of Cannatonic. It implies that it is medical marijuana with extremely little to absent psychedelic results.

ACDC has a THC-CBD content ratio of 1:20, with THC content at approximately 19%. You can practice ACDC to overcome conditions like tension and depression with its all-natural mood-enhancing impacts. This strain is a sufficient influence for all sorts of discomfort, including headaches, muscular tissue pains, headaches, gastrointestinal pain, back pain, and much more.

PTSD sufferers go through painful conditions, and ACDC can be handy for the relief of that pain. You can additionally depend on ACDC for the alleviation of physical and also psychological tiredness. Like other medical strains, ACDC is not devoid of side effects such as a parched mouth and dry red eyes, headaches, stress and anxiety, small paranoia, and restlessness. These adverse effects might be minimum by consuming this weed in modest amounts. 


4 – Blueberry CBD from ILGM

Blueberry CBD cannabis strain

It’s one of the best strains for PTSD patients to reduce their social anxiety, depression, and sadness. Blueberry CBD is a commanding high-CBD Indica-dominant weed strain. It delivers an unusual euphoria while also giving relief to PTSD sufferers. It’s prevalent due to its blueberry taste and fruity fragrance. This variant combines all the most beneficial characteristics of Blueberry with high CBD content and the least amount of THC content.

Blueberry CBD is the ideal strain to encourage you to unwind. This high CBD content delivers a pleasant tranquilizing feeling. Users state that it helps them relax better, making it a tremendous strain to consume after a long and busy day.

Some of the effects of this strain are happiness, motivation, and relaxation, making it ideal for PTSD sufferers. Also, Blueberry CBD could assist you with anxiety, PTSD, inflammation, insomnia, stress, and pain. We can say that Blueberry CBD is most probably one of the best cannabis strains for PTSD symptoms.


5 – Blue Dream from ILGM

blue-dream

Blue Dream is one of the best strains for PTSD patients to reduce their social anxiety, depression, and sadness. The famously chill Blue Dream is well known for the full-body unwinding it provides. Fans of Blue Dream love it for its gentle method of inducing a quiet type of happiness, making it comfortable in any event, for novices to enjoy. Another effect Blue Dream has is the feeling of a gentle cerebral invigoration, an attribute that makes it perfect as a day-starter. 

The excellent Blue Dream renders happy vibes, encouraging a general feeling of inspiration and a drive to get creative. Blue Dream is the perfect ally for brainstorming activities as it can help spark new ideas and suggestions. It makes it ideal for anybody working in the creative field needing a little inspiration. 

The fact that Blue Dream relaxes without turning someone into a lazy makes it ideal for PTSD sufferers. Blue Dream defines a dream-like floaty state while allowing social interaction and the energy to do your tasks. Suffice to say; Blue Dream is one of the best strains to manage symptoms of PTSD.


6 – Harlequin from ILGM

Harlequin-cannabis-strain

Harlequin hybrid medical cannabis is one of the best strains for PTSD patients. This hybrid is a great smoke when you are looking to find some psychological release without feeling exhausted. Harlequin has received all its positive results from its origin. This strain is an excellent relaxant, with an ability to quiet the mind and stay focused. 

Harlequin is uplifting and a happiness-inducing weed. This Sativa-dominant cannabis will let you keep your productivity at 100 percent. It means that it’s the ideal smoke to start a day. Instead of slowdowns, this strain may assist you with getting stuff done.

Harlequin is excellent at keeping you focused on your usual tasks. Suffice to say that Harlequin is probably one of the best cannabis strains for PTSD symptoms.


7 – Pineapple Express from Seedsman

pineapple express

Pineapple Express is Sativa-dominant cannabis that is perfect for a daytime high. Besides, Pineapple Express is distinctly more smooth than the wild. An assured feeling of pleasure will sneak in when you smoke this weed. This hybrid strain is one of the best strains for PTSD patients.

There is nothing silly about this strain as it’s a soft strain that will leave you joyful, motivated, and fill you with enthusiasm. You will perceive a sense of satisfaction and a boost of strength after taking some puffs. It is a state of mind booster, often accompanied by creative and startling ideas. Furthermore, Pineapple Express can unwind you without feeling dozy or weak, making it the perfect daytime strain. 

Pineapple Express is a dominant weed strain against chronic pain and symptoms of PTSD. Ailments like back pain, shingles, fibromyalgia, PTSD, sciatica, and muscle cramps may frequently produce pain, despite efforts to heal it. Medications like opioids may provoke a dangerous obsession. However, Pineapple Express can manage these ailments without the extreme risk of dependence. Also, it will not make you too sedative and lazy to continue your routine. It’s one of the best strains for people suffering from PTSD.


8 – Lemon OG from Crop King Seeds

lemon OG cannabis strain

It is the cross strain between the Star Kush and Amnesia. Therefore, Lemon OG can satisfy you with its fast-acting cerebral buzz that you will soon experience after taking a few puffs. The effect appears quickly but will not last long. With a THC content of about 15-22%, you will be satisfied with the effects. Lemon OG hybrid strain is one of the best strains for PTSD patients.

Lemon OG cannabis strain is a fast-acting marijuana strain that will immediately take you to a relaxing state of mind. Nevertheless, this effect will fade away soon. Still, you will also enjoy its delicious flavor that goes well with its therapeutic effects. Many individuals seek this strain for medicinal benefits to combat insomnia, stress, pain, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD.


9 – CBD Kush from ILGM

CBD kush cannabis strain

This feminized CBD Kush cannabis is an Indica-dominant strain of hemp that provides an earthy flavor. Because of its almost nonexistent THC content, users feel very little to no high. The plant has a significant CBD content of 15%, with minimal THC content of about 0.2%.

Furthermore, CBD Kush gives gentle relaxation without the sensation of getting high. Users feel relaxed and pleasant after taking some puffs. Because the THC content in this feminized CBD Kush strain is low, most users never get high. This marijuana is exceptionally effective at bettering its users unwind while hanging out with buddies. Thus, it’s one of the best strains for people suffering from PTSD.

Moreover, this cannabis strain is Indica-rich and renders a soothing effect. Even though it is hemp, users notice a calming yet clear-headed influence. Its remarkably high CBD content is also beneficial for mild symptoms related to pain and depression. It is useful for making teas, tinctures, and extracts.


10 – Critical Mass from ILGM

critical-mass-cannabis-strain

Critical Mass is an excellent relaxant and is an easy decision to consider when you are in for a relaxed night watching movies, without anyone else, or even with your buddy or partner. This strain is quite complex on the body, so as long as you don’t want to work on heavy hardware, you should be in for a good ride. 

The cannabis strain can also make you sleepy, so if you keep on smoking it in large portions, you might feel exhausted. Thus, it can also manage sleep disorder, one of the symptoms of PTSD.

Critical Mass CBD has a healthy body high that is said to last you for a couple of hours, keeping you in a giggly and euphoric temperament for the rest of the night. This hybrid is delightful for those who need a little state of mind booster, as it can keep you in good spirits and make you feel thoroughly uplifted. This hybrid strain is one of the best strains for PTSD patients.


Final Verdict

There are many best strains for people suffering from PTSD, and there’s no dilemma that cannabis is an efficient way to combat PTSD, but not all strains are reasonably efficient. Here we have assembled a list of ten medical marijuana strains that people have described work exceptionally well in battling PTSD.

People living with PTSD should visit a doctor first before self-medicating with cannabis. Some might find that strains with high THC content serve well for PTSD, while others get more comfortable with high CBD content. A skilled medical marijuana doctor can guide you by obtaining the best cannabis strains for PTSD and the prescribed dosage

Along with the best cannabis strains for PTSD, CBD oils are also beneficial, easing stress and depression without psychoactive effects. Moreover, vaporized Indica can also be helpful for quick relaxation from anxiety and other ailments.

We must flatten the curve of the spiral of PTSD. Decreasing the shock of its symptoms is just the beginning. Success should come in the form of leading towards post-traumatic event improvement. It achieves an absolute state of physical and mental well-being. Apart from that, encouraging mindfulness for tackling life problems is also fundamental in diseases such as PTSD.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can weed help with PTSD?

Two recent studies suggest that cannabis may be helpful in the treatment of PTSD. For example, one study found that cannabis reduced activity in the amygdala, a portion of the brain involved with fear reactions to threats.
Another study shows that the plant’s cannabinoids may help suppress painful memories and thus help with PTSD.

Can CBD help with PTSD?

CBD oil administered to the skin significantly improved anxiety and sleeping issues
in a child with PTSD, CBD has been demonstrated in several recent studies to aid with PTSD symptoms such as nightmares and repeating bad memories.

How can weed help PTSD?

Cannabis use impacts the amygdala response of people suffering from trauma-related anxiety, such as PTSD. THC reduced amygdala activation in response to threats.
Low-dose THC users demonstrated quantifiable indicators of decreased fear and anxiety in scenarios meant to elicit fear.

Can I get medical weed for PTSD?

Marijuana usage is frequent in people with PTSD and may be connected with self-medication. It has been proposed that medicinal marijuana might aid in treating PTSD symptoms. Marijuana is currently not authorized for medicinal uses on a federal level; nevertheless, it is approved for PTSD in several states. Therefore, you must check your local laws before buying Marijuana for PTSD.

Should you use indica or sativa for PTSD?

While CBD is not psychoactive, it can help to alleviate the high sensation. As a result, cannabis strains with high CBD concentrations are commonly utilized by PTSD sufferers who wish to remain awake while using cannabis. When comparing Indica vs Sativa cannabis strains, Indica cannabis strains frequently alleviate anxiety better due to their high CBD content and low THC levels. However, it would be best to avoid the strains with high THC while taking it for PTSD.

Which Is More Effective: CBD Or THC?

THC may be better for symptoms or conditions where the chemical is beneficial, such as tremors or appetite loss. CBD may cure pain, reduce anxiety, and increase hunger in the same manner as marijuana does, but without affecting your mental state. CBD may also aid in the treatment of some types of seizures. So both are superior, but the choice is dependent on your requirements.

How do different strains of marijuana affect our health?

Most medical marijuana patients are likely aware of the distinctions between indica and sativa strains. According to this broad classification of strains, most indica strains have relaxing, tranquil effects, while most sativa strains produce more stimulating and euphoric effects.

Can medical cannabis be used for anxiety or stress?

It has been observed that medicinal cannabis users reported a 58 per cent reduction in anxiety and tension. Furthermore, females reported a more significant reduction in anxiety after consuming medical cannabis than males. It was also shown that cannabis with a high THC and CBD content was the most helpful in relieving stress. You may quickly reduce your anxiety by utilizing CBD creams since the psychotropic effects of CBD imitate the endocannabinoid stimulators in your brain while also keeping your skin moisturized.

Can CBD be helpful for children with PTSD, ADHD, and depression?

CBD oil is gaining popularity, thanks to preliminary research indicating that it may benefit some health concerns in kids as well. Although there is some anecdotal evidence that CBD oil can assist with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, there is still very little scientific data to support this.

Is it possible to have PTSD and CPTSD at the same time?

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex PTSD, also known as c-PTSD or CPTSD) is a condition in which you have specific PTSD symptoms and some different symptoms, such as difficulties managing your emotions. It makes PTSD even worse.
Indeed, you can experience both simultaneously. Any prolonged memory of some unfortunate moments with some trauma now can make you have both simultaneously.
Check out the following recent research published in national Research of medicine:
Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report – PMC (nih.gov)

Author
Christopher Andrews
I am Christopher Andrew, the owner of 420 Expert Adviser. I have been in cannabis cultivation for more than ten years, and I'm sharing my experience with you guys using this blog!

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