Cannabis, Coping, and Growth: Understanding Childhood vs. Adulthood Trauma

April 11, 2025

Trauma doesn’t come with a warning sign or a rulebook. It shows up differently in everyone, and depending on when it enters your life, it can shape everything from how you see the world to how you care for yourself. At Major Bloom, we understand that healing is personal, and community care starts by talking about the things people often shy away from, like trauma, mental health, and cannabis as a legitimate form of therapy.

As more adults turn to therapy, alternative healing practices, and even cannabis to process their trauma, one truth remains: Healing is not one-size-fits-all. By unpacking the differences between childhood and adulthood trauma and how people are coping — especially with the rise of psychiatric medication use — we open the door to deeper conversations and better solutions. And for many people, cannabis offers an approach rooted in self-awareness, intention, and care.

Childhood vs. Adulthood Trauma: What’s the Difference?

Trauma is any experience that overwhelms your ability to cope. Whether it happens as a child or an adult, it can live in your body, impact your thoughts, and shape how you navigate relationships and stress.

Common childhood trauma includes:

Physical or emotional abuse
Neglect
Domestic violence
Parental incarceration or substance abuse
Loss of a caregiver

These early experiences can disrupt brain development and increase the risk of anxiety, depression, substance use, and chronic health issues later in life.

In adulthood, trauma can come from:

Losing a loved one
Being in a serious accident
Experiencing violence or assault
Military combat or service-related PTSD
Surviving a natural disaster or community crisis

While adults generally have more tools and autonomy to process trauma, that doesn’t always mean they’re better equipped to heal. And many adults are still grappling with unresolved childhood pain, now layered with new burdens.

Healing Through the Ages: How Trauma Shows Up Over Time

Trauma doesn’t always crash into your life — it often builds in subtle, quiet ways. Micro-aggressions, toxic relationships, and sustained stress can slowly alter your mental and physical health. And when more significant traumatic events hit — divorce, injury, loss, for example — they’re often compounded by what’s already unhealed.

In the U.S., more people than ever are turning to therapy to process these experiences. In 2022, nearly 56 million Americans received some form of mental health support. And yet, prescriptions for psychiatric drugs are also climbing, especially antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. For some, these medications are life-saving. But for others, they come with side effects, dependency, and a disconnect from root causes.

We’re not saying throw away the script. We’re saying let’s look at all options, especially those that come from the earth.

Can Cannabis Help Adults Heal?

Emerging research suggests cannabis can support emotional regulation, reduce stress, and help manage symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, particularly in adults. One federal study found that veterans with PTSD experienced relief from symptoms when using cannabis strains high in THC. More importantly, cannabis doesn’t carry the same overdose risk as many Schedule II psychiatric medications.

As Dr. Uma Dhanabalan, a respected cannabis physician, says:

“No one has ever died from cannabis.”

Cannabis isn’t a cure-all, but when used intentionally and mindfully, it can be a powerful tool in someone’s healing journey. Unlike many psychiatric drugs, cannabis can create space for self-reflection and creativity and can calm the nervous system without numbing or suppressing core emotions.

What Works for Kids vs. Adults — and Why It Matters

Children process trauma differently. Their healing is often guided by caregivers, with methods like play therapy, art therapy, or family-based interventions. Their environments and support systems have a massive impact on how they bounce back from adversity.

Adults, on the other hand, have more autonomy but also more responsibilities, less time, and often more trauma. Healing might include therapy, movement, mindfulness, nutrition, community support — and for some, cannabis. While cannabis use is legal in Massachusetts at age 21 for recreational use, medical patients can be certified at 18. Still, research suggests that waiting until age 24 — when the brain fully develops — is best for long-term cognitive health.

Some policy advocates are even pushing to raise the recreational age limit from 21 to 24 for this reason.

Where Does the U.S. Stand on Cannabis and Mental Health?

While 47 states have some form of medical cannabis program, Idaho, Nebraska, and Kansas continue to deny patients access to plant-based medicine. In most medical states, patients must be 18+, with exceptions made for minors under specific parental and physician guidance.

This patchwork approach to cannabis access reflects deeper issues in how we treat mental health in this country: inconsistently, often reactively, and rarely holistically.

Final Thoughts: Healing, Community, and the Future of Cannabis Therapy

At Major Bloom, we believe cannabis is more than a product — it’s a platform for healing, empowerment, and progress. Whether you’re navigating trauma from your childhood, adulthood, or both, know that you’re not alone, and your path to healing doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Therapy helps. Exercise helps. Connection helps. And for many, cannabis helps, too.

Let’s keep pushing for research, access, and honest conversations. Because when we normalize talking about trauma — and make space for diverse healing paths — we not only break cycles, we build better communities.

Note: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute or replace professional medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any treatment plan.

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Cannabis, Coping, and Growth: Understanding Childhood vs. Adulthood Trauma

Childhood vs. Adulthood Trauma: What’s the Difference?

Healing Through the Ages: How Trauma Shows Up Over Time

Can Cannabis Help Adults Heal?

What Works for Kids vs. Adults — and Why It Matters

Where Does the U.S. Stand on Cannabis and Mental Health?

Final Thoughts: Healing, Community, and the Future of Cannabis Therapy

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