A disruption in normal brain function caused by sudden damage from factors such as a severe bump, blow, or jolt to the head.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a disruption in normal brain function caused by sudden damage from factors such as a severe bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Examples of causes are falling down stairs, a car accident, sports injury, or injury from physical violence. Wide range of physical or psychological symptoms can be seen either immediately after injury or weeks later. Symptoms can be mild to severe and may include pain, confusion, headache, fatigue, change in sleep, mood or behavior, trouble with memory, focus, thinking, slurred speech, loss of coordination, nausea or seizures.
How can Medical Marijuana Help patients with Traumatic Brain Injury?
Increased death and morbidity, or disease, can be associated with TBI. American Surgeon in 2014 published results of a study showing a significant decrease in death and morbidity in patients sustaining TBI. This could be due to the effects of canniboids, the compounds found in medical marijuana. Several studies have demonstrated the ability of canniboids to protect nerve cells against further damage, degeneration, or injury. As patients using medical marijuana have reported benefits in managing a wide array of symptoms, the same benefits can be seen in managing symptoms of TBI. Marijuana in TBI patients has been reported to give pain relief from headaches, inflammation, decrease seizures, and fight nausea. With the limited ability of the brain to heal from damage caused by TBI, medical marijuana can be an effective treatment option in managing a host of symptoms.