Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries With Medical Marijuana in Mississippi

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What is a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) and how Does it Impact You?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) [1], traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when the brain is damaged as a result of a sudden trauma. When something hits the head suddenly and violently, or if anything pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue, it causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on how much brain tissue was damaged.

A small traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in either continued consciousness or a brief period of unconsciousness lasting only seconds or minutes. Indicators of mild traumatic brain damage include symptoms such as:

lightheadedness
dizziness
blurred vision or “sleepy eyes”
ringing in the ears
a horrible taste in the mouth
weariness or lethargy
a shift in sleep patterns
abnormal behavior or mood
problems with memory or concentration.

The above symptoms may also be experienced by people who have suffered a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), along with persistent or worsening headaches, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, seizures, dilated pupils, difficulty waking from sleep, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination. Another sign may be an increase in mental agitation or restlessness.

[1] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury

Does Mississippi Allow Medical Cannabis Use For Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Yes. Mississippi has just expanded its list of approved medical marijuana health conditions to include traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one is suffering from a traumatic brain injury, please schedule an appointment with a certified Mississippi medical marijuanas doctor.

The 3 Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries Are:

Concussion (Mild)

2. Moderate TBI

3. Severe TBI

Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Falls
Vehicle crashes
Explosions
Sports Injuries
Child Abuse

Being struck by an object in the head
Penetrating Injury
- Bullet
- Blunt Object
- Shrapnel

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Mild TBI Symptoms

Headache
Blurry Vision
Confusion
Disorientation
Mood Changes
Behavior Changes
Memory problems
Difficulty paying attention
Ears Ringing
Difficulty sleeping
Lightheaded
Dizzy

Severe TBI Symptoms

Constant headache
Nausea and Vomiting’s
Tremendous confusion
Dilated pupils
Slurred Speech
Seizure
Weakness
No Coordination

Primary and Secondary Brain Injuries

According to Hopkins Medicine, a “primary brain injury” is defined as a “sudden and severe” injury to the brain that is “more or less complete” at the time of impact. This occurs after trauma such as a vehicle crash, gunshot wound, or serious fall.

Alterations that manifest themselves within a few hours to a few days following an initial brain injury are referred to as secondary brain damage. More brain tissue is destroyed due to a chain reaction of biochemical, pharmacological, tissue, or blood vessel alterations.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana in Mississippi has helped patients with a variety of TBIs significantly, according to research [2].

Most studies on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for medical purposes have been conducted in the immediate aftermath of brain trauma. Although the research is preliminary, it does suggest a promising direction.

Endocannabinoids, which are naturally produced by most mammals including humans, have been shown to aid with blood flow and neuroplasticity. Cannabinoids are thought to have neuroprotective properties, and one way they can exercise this protection is by preventing the production of inflammatory chemicals in the brain after it has been damaged.

Natural endocannabinoid 2-AG, which the body already produces, may help with brain preservation, claims one Israeli research team [3]. As a form of defense, the anti-inflammatory chemical is released in larger quantities in the wake of trauma. Motor and cognitive abilities in mice with brain injuries were restored when treated with increasing doses of 2-AG. The findings of this study are exciting, but they also make it more difficult to determine the precise mechanism at play in this reaction, as they show that both CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are involved.

A hospital survey in 2014 found that the mortality rate for TBI patients who tested positive for THC dropped from 11.5 percent to 2.4 percent, although the relevance isn’t as evident as it would be in a controlled trial.

As a whole, the data imply that the protective function is at its peak in the first few hours after an injury, when the organism is still in a state of acute shock. This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that cannabidiol (CBD) may assist to extend the critical “window of opportunity” for preventing further brain damage. Cannabis can be obtained in the state of Mississippi by patients who have gotten a legal medical marijuanas card.

[2] https://www.chicagotribune.com/marijuana/sns-tft-marijuana-helps-brain-injuries-20190917-acbvoefwyfhefetkki7eg2vawe-story.html

[3] https://www.timesofisrael.com/cannabis-could-treat-traumatic-brain-injury-israeli-researchers-say/

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