Traumatic Brain Injury / Intracranial Hemorrhage

  Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often caused by a violent hit to the head/body or something shattering/breaking the skull. TBI can range from mild to severe, with symptoms ranging from headache and dizziness to seizures, permanent brain damage, or even death. An intracranial hemorrhage can also cause brain damage and results from bleeding inside the skull leading to pressure on the brain. Both TBI and intracranial hemorrhage have similar symptoms, such as pain and stress, which have all been reported to improve with the use of marijuana. In a review of the literature regarding TBI and marijuana use, most participants reported improvements in pain, psychiatric symptoms, sleep, and cognition.[1] In some cases, it is reported that marijuana use aided in reducing inflammation and pressure in the brain.[2] However, some also reported experiencing a decrease in motivation, fatigue, and prolonged recovery. Without proper funding and larger sample sizes, the use of marijuana for patients with TBI and intracranial hemorrhage cannot be accurately validated. Further research should be conducted. 

[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8260892/

[2]https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/canadian-journal-of-neurological-sciences/article/cannabis-in-the-treatment-of-traumatic-brain-injury-a-primer-for-clinicians/CFE33D823A97A1FF1089EC97859041DE