Traumatic Brain Injury [TBI] can be triggered because of violent blows or bumps or penetrating damages to your head then this can cause abnormal brain function. Major cause of TBI is motor car crashes and falls, which makes nearly three-fourth of TBI related hospitalization. In senior citizen [75 years+] and young kids the risk is higher.
Brain function is complex, so there is a wide spectrum of symptoms that can possibly occur. Even though brain resides in the hard protective skull, a sudden blow can cause profound disturbances. Find out more information and statistics related to traumatic brain injury on the internet
- In mild cases, the symptoms can be dizziness, headache, nausea, unconsciousness and more.
- In severe cases, patients suffer from seizures, slurred speech, prolonged unconsciousness and more grave issues that can last long, after initial injury.
Severe TBI can cause degenerative disease like dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Modern medicines have dramatically enhance life quality for TBI patients but they need to consistently take drugs like anti-depressants, anti-seizure medicines, mood stabilizers and opioid pain drugs.
Scientists are focusing on cannabis
Marijuana and brain injury are two things, which seems impossible to work together but some researches have shown the benefits of medical marijuana on brain injuries. Actually, chemical compounds present in cannabis plants are active and can offer great healing solution to TBI sufferers.
Due to legal limitations on clinical trials for cannabis has made it hard to study but animal research associated with TBI and cannabis has revealed promising results. THC tests conducted on TBI patients showing positive results reported to dampen mortality level from 11.5% to 2.4%. Could this natural herb offer a new insight in treating and recovering from TBI?
How cannabis can help in TBI?
Symptom management
In pre-clinical experiments, non-psychotic cannabidiol or CBD has demonstrated to have strong anti-anxiety and antidepressant effect. Even cannabis based extracts have proved to significantly alleviate some kinds of seizures. Cannabis is regarded to be safe and effective option to opioid painkillers with challenging side effects and risk of overdose.
Protection against TBI
Endocannabinoids are present throughout your body, especially in brain they are abundant. Body produces endocannabinoids, which are used by immune and nervous system to communicate. It is studied that endocannabinoids have neuroprotective properties that can help to repair the nervous system and brain, post injury.
Animal research has revealed that increasing the level of endocannabinoids after TBI can dramatically enhance recovery results. The CBD of cannabis plants helps to increase your body’s own endocannabinoid level, while THC is responsible to cause the highs by replacing body’s natural endocannabinoids.
Reduce traumatic brain inflammation
Endocannabinoid system [ECS] is largest neurotransmitter network, which helps to decrease brain inflammation or stress related signals. CBD and THC hold anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. CBD treatment on baby pigs after TBI efficiently reduced seizures, nervous system damage, brain edema, and enhance their behavior and motor skills in just a couple of day, after initial injury.
New brain cell development
TBI is associated with anxiety and depression, while cannabis is known for improving mood and inspiring the feel of euphoria. Brain region called hippocampus is responsible for learning, memory and autonomic nervous system that plays a role in responding to stress and other basic functions. In preclinical research, synthetic cannabis compounds with high THC level reveals that cannabis elements promote neurogenesis.
Bone healing
TBI can affect the skull but cannabis is great for bone healing. Endocannabinoids are liable for causing bone formation.