The effect of weed after TBI? (Smoke or not, evidence)
 

Hi guys,

I am debating whether or not weed has a positive effect or negative effect on my injury. Before my injury, I was a very heavy smoker (weed, not cigs). I did it because, why not? It felt good. However, after my injury, I have been researching weed and TBI alot. I came across this on a weed forum.

It seems to say that weed is good for TBI/concussion patients. I did a week of no smoking at all for a week (about last week) to see what effect it would have. I felt like I had a clearer mind (obviously, because PCS makes you dumb, when you smoke it makes you dumb while you are still high. When you smoke and have PCS you are EXTREMELY dumb.) I can attest.

So, after my week of no smoking I decided to smoke every day (before bed). Everything was normal, except that the following days I have a slight head fog/pressure/boggy feeling/drowsiness/tired.

I got this effect, and I am sure all weed users have this effect when they smoke a lot. I had this effect before the injury. I suspect it is due to the body being really tired because I (and many others) like to stay up until the high wears down, make food, eat, shower, then hit the bed really late. My other theory is that the brain is experiencing residual effects of the high.

What do you guys think?

So, I am going to test this theory and sleep early and well and see what happens starting tonight.


How hash became a smash in brain trauma research (news - 1998)
MAPS: How hash became a smash in brain trauma research

Synthetic Marijuana Helps Trauma Patients (news - 1998)
http://www.thecompassionclub.org/med...0603311415-028

Brain Injury Circumvented by Endocannabinoids (abst - 2001)
Brain Injury Circumvented by Endocannabinoids -- 2001 (104): tw380 -- Science Signaling

An endogenous cannabinoid (2-AG) is neuroprotective after brain injury.
(abst - 2001)
An endogenous cannabinoid (2-AG) is neuroprotectiv... [Nature. 2001] - PubMed result

Cannabinoids on the Brain (full - 2002)
http://www.ukcia.org/research/Cannab...OnTheBrain.pdf

Cannabinoids and brain injury: therapeutic implications (full - 2002)
http://www.ukcia.org/research/Cannab...rainInjury.pdf

Dexanabinol (HU-211) in the treatment of severe closed head injury: a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial. (abst - 2002)
Dexanabinol (HU-211) in the treatment of severe cl... [Crit Care Med. 2002] - PubMed result

Marijuana Smoking Doesn't Kill (news - 2003)
Marijuana Smoking Doesn't Kill
.
Cannabinoids As Neuroprotective Agents in Traumatic Brain Injury. (abst - 2004)
Bentham Science Publishers

The endocannabinoid 2-AG protects the blood-brain barrier after closed head injury and inhibits mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines.
(abst - 2005)
The endocannabinoid 2-AG protects the blood-brain barrier after closed head injury and inhibits mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines.

The Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor as a Target for Inflammation-Dependent Neurodegeneration (full - 2006)
The Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor as a Target for Inflammation-Dependent Neurodegeneration

The CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Mediates Excitotoxicity-induced Neural Progenitor Proliferation and Neurogenesis (full - 2007)
The CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Mediates Excitotoxicity-induced Neural Progenitor Proliferation and Neurogenesis ? JBC

Hope that helps!

I strongly disagree with your comment that "PCS makes you dumb." Cognitive struggles may be a common symptom but serious loss of intelligence is not a common symptom. Intelligence is intact in most cases. It may take more discipline with stress reducing efforts and work-arounds to express intelligence but the intelligence is still there.

Pot is scientifically know to alter the brain, especially the maturing brain. It can cause psychosis in later life when smoke consistently during youth.

The research I have read suggest limiting intoxicants to the minimum to achieve relaxation. This is far below the level needed to get high.

Maybe the statement could be justified stated as : PCS makes one dumb when combined with intoxicants.

While you have PCS your cognition is decreased, and it slowly returns. I have heard from my neurologist as well that iq stays relatively constant, and that it is your brain that is less efficient, which is what causes cognitive symptoms.

I am unsure after reading those articles if weed will actually benefit the brain, or not? i've been smoking it like my job and i seem to feel fine/normal. i am not worried about psychosis as I started smoking late.

:confused: I have heard mixed opinions on weed and TBI, some people say it is protects the brain and slows activity, others say cut it out