New Study: Cannabis May Help Heal the Brain After Injury
A new study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex has found evidence that activation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors may
lead to neuroprotective benefits which can help heal the brain after a traumatic injury.
According to researchers for the study; “The results provided the first evidence for the involvement of ECS [endocannabinoid system] in the neuroprotective action of minocycline on brain edema, neurological impairment, diffuse axonal injury, and microglial activation, since all these effects were prevented by the CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists.”
These findings suggest that activiation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors (such as consuming cannabis) is vital in bringing about the neuroprotective effects of the drug minocycline. The results indicate that activation of the cannabinoid system may increase the beneficial effects of a number of other prescription drugs, and may, on its own, have vast neuroprotective capabilities.
These findings, though not directly related, help to validate a study released earlier this year which found that even miniscule amounts of cannabinoids (in this instance, THC) may protect the brain after injuries from things such as seizures, toxic drug exposure and a lack of oxygen.
– TheJointBlog
Joseph Franks
what about recovery from stroke?
John Novak
Yes…see my comment below about the patent owned by the US Government.
Moirraine
Stroke means that pathways are destroyed – but we know now that the brain can make new pathways given the right treatment SOON ENOUGH – but even some with profound stokes might be helped by canna – they dump the HORRID drugs into our family members, they don’t recognize us STILL but they have WORSE problems from the toxic drugs pumped into them until they succumb from pneumonia or cancer.
Yeah, I’d try ingesting a bit, not smoke, and with therapy and EXERCISE as well as better food… Better than the alternative!
John Novak
The government owns the patent. It was granted to the Department of Health and Human Services in 2003.
US Patent 6,630,507 Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants
“Cannabinoids have been found to have antioxidant properties, unrelated to NMDA receptor antagonism. This new found property makes cannabinoids useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of wide variety of oxidation associated diseases, such as ischemic, age-related, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The cannabinoids are found to have particular application as neuroprotectants, for example in limiting neurological damage following ischemic insults, such as stroke and trauma, or in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and HIV dementia. “
Moirraine
When I tell people that I have memories that are surfacing after decades – they look at me like I am nuts.
I have lupus as well as other physical conditions.
I am a PTSD patient with brain damage from multiple falls, hits, more than 4 concussions in less than 6 years. My brain may not be what it might have been at 15, but it’s not what it was at 47 – which was not able to function much at all during the day.
My sleep apnea was a major cause lack of oxygen and was finally treated. That coupled with exercise, better food, and canna – all equal a more complete, functional, not as sick, me.
Flexoplex
great post thanks for sharing .
Steve H
My 16 year old brother suffered seroius brain trauma when he fell 18 months ago on his head from 24 feet. Miraculously he recovered but not 100%. He can even ride a unicycle again and play guitar just to give u an example of his recovery. However his social skills have not recovered as sucsessfully and his speech is still a little slow. I’m wondering what affects medical marijuana would have and if it would be beneficial for him.
Steve
When I broke 3 vertebrae in my back I left the hospital with a bag full of toxic medication. They wanted me to take 12mg of dilaudid every 3-4 hours. It was a horrible experience. I said “what happens when I stop taking this medication in 6 weeks?” they replied, ” Oh well you’ll have withdrawal symptoms” I said, so basically I’ll feel like I’ll want to die and have horrible pains etc? Well we can deal with it they said. I replied, ” why don’t you just prescribe me medical Marijuana?” ” Oh well that would work much better and has no withdrawal but we can’t legally tell you its what you should do….”