Traumatic Brain Injury and Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana has helped many people living with a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, manage symptoms and improve quality of life. In plain terms, it doesn’t “fix” the brain injury, but it may make day‑to‑day problems easier to handle for many patients. Some examples of how these products can help: 

1) Pain relief: Many people with TBI deal with headaches, nerve pain, and/or body pain. Many patients report cannabis helps reduce pain or makes it easier to relax when pain is flaring. (see also: Chronic Pain)

2) Better sleep: Sleep problems are common after a brain injury. Certain cannabis products, especially those with more THC of the Indica strain, improve relaxation and help them fall asleep. It is usually suggested that  CBD or CBN combined with THC are more effective than THC alone.

3) Reduced anxiety and stress: After a TBI, patients can feel on edge, overwhelmed, or anxious. THC, along with CBD, helps many with anxiety and stress.

4) Help with muscle tightness or spasms: Some TBIs cause stiffness, spasms, or muscle tightness. Cannabis helps many patients feel more relaxed and in control.

5) Nausea and appetite: If a patient has problems with nausea or poor appetite, cannabis can help with both decreasing nausea and increasing appetite.

6) Mood support: Many report feeling irritability, depression, and mood swings after TBI. Many of these patients report that cannabis helps them feel more even keeled.

Possible downsides of including THC include memory and concentration problems, slower reaction time (important for driving/work safety), dizziness or balance issues, worsened motivation or “brain fog”, and dependence risk with frequent/high THC use.

Cannabis also has the potential for interactions with other meds, most notably sleep meds, anxiety meds, pain meds, and anti‑seizure meds. Check with your physician for interactions, and report any changes.