Can CBD help with head injuries-concussions and other trauma?
There are several studies that have demonstrated a neuroprotective of cannabidiol (CBD) and THC for people suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and stroke. For more on what CBD is, click here.
Whilst there needs to be more research on the exact mechanisms involved, the prevailing consensus is that, CBD or THC reduces inflammation and promotes blood flow to the brain following an injury.
The following studies discuss the ways in which CBD and also THC can possibly protect the brain. More will be added as they become available.
Human Studies
Effect of marijuana use on outcomes in traumatic brain injury. A 3-year retrospective review of registry data at a Level I center of patients sustaining TBI having a toxicology screen was performed. Pediatric patients (younger than 15 years) and patients with a suspected nonsurvivable injury were excluded. The THC(+) group was compared with the THC(-) group with respect to injury mechanism, severity, disposition, and mortality…Click for more
Animal Studies
Cannabidiol and (-)Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants
The neuroprotective actions of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids were examined in rat cortical neuron cultures exposed to toxic levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate toxicity was reduced by both cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive constituent of marijuana...Click for more
Review Studies
Endocannabinoids and traumatic brain injury.
This review is focused on the role the eCB system plays as a self-neuroprotective mechanism and its potential as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic modality for the treatment of CNS pathologies with special emphasis on TBI...Click for more
Modulation of Astrocyte Activity by Cannabidiol, a Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoid.
The collected data shows that increased astrocyte activity is suppressed in the presence of CBD in models of ischemia, Alzheimer-like and Multiple-Sclerosis-like neurodegenerations, sciatic nerve injury, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. Moreover, CBD has been shown to decrease proinflammatory functions and signaling in astrocytes…Click for more
CBD and Headaches/Migraines
There is a dearth of research on use of CBD by itself for headaches and migraines. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence for the use of CBD in treating them and providing relief. There was some research that was presented at the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology, in Amsterdam, on this topic. For more info. click here
Tags: CBD, head injury, trauma
Thank you, great article. Based on these studies, it sounds like CBD can definitely help with head injuries, concussions and other trauma. It has a lot of mechanisms to decrease inflammation and toxicity in the brain. Thank you for your article, I am definitely considering trying out CBD. I appreciate how you put together all of these studies and did such a thorough report on the subject. Also, I Like Your Dragon and the top of the page. I look forward to reading more of your articles, and have a good day!
Thanks…Keep coming back…
Wow.. I guess we’ll have to call you the dragon. This is a really informative post. It’s amazing just how much CBD products have have come into the limelight recently. CBD seems to be able to either cure or control so many ailments now. I had no idea however that studies have been done that reveal it is also beneficial to head injuries and concussions. I have a young friend in hospital with severe head trauma. He has been there for many years now and nothing they do seems to help. After going through your document I can’t help wondering if it would benefit him, and if they would allow us to use it on him. One can only try I suppose. Thanks. Jim
All of this depends on how severe, severe is. If he’s been there for years, I doubt CBD is going to do anything, it’s great for a lot of things, but is not a miracle cure.