Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is an extremely rare condition that only develops after repeated severe head trauma or concussions. While there are symptoms to watch out for, an official CTE diagnosis can only be made during an autopsy. During an autopsy, the examiner will look at various sections of the brain to study them for degeneration consistent with this condition.
There has not been much research on this condition, partially because a diagnosis can only be made postmortem. Due to CTE’s rare nature, there is still more for doctors and researchers to understand.
CTE is most common in individuals who play contact sports, such as football and boxing. Researchers are currently working on tests to diagnose this condition, but they’re not yet at a stage where they can be implemented.
What Causes Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy?
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy can only be caused by repeated severe head injuries or concussions. In most cases, individuals will have sustained multiple head injuries over a period of a few years.
CTE can also be caused by repeated blasts from military explosives or even present in victims of domestic abuse. It is estimated that 17% of individuals who experience repeated head trauma like concussions or TBIs over the years will develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Signs & Symptoms
Because CTE is rare, many individuals aren’t aware of the symptoms. Most people aren’t aware they have this condition, as their symptoms may be attributed to other things. If you have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Impulsive behavior
- Cognitive impairment
- Aggression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Motor neuron disease
Symptoms of this condition often don’t present themselves immediately. Individuals usually begin experiencing more symptoms as they age but may not connect them with a past head trauma because of the length of time that it has been since the injury.
CTE can lead to advanced dementia, Parkinson’s, or conditions similar to ALS.
Can Cannabis Help in the Treatment of CTE?
While cannabinoids have been patented for their neuroprotective properties since 2003, the interest in using cannabis for CTE has grown tremendously within the last decade. Former NFL players Calvin Johnson and Rob Sims partnered with researchers at Harvard in 2019 to fund research on the benefits of cannabis for chronic traumatic encephalopathy. In the beginning of 2022, the NFL donated $1 million to research cannabinoids for the treatment of concussions and pain management. In addition to a three-year study on CBD for preventing concussions, two research projects are underway at the University of Regina in Canada and UC San Diego.
The neuroprotective actions of cannabinoids are likely tied to their ability to reduce “glutamate excitotoxicity,” which is what causes neuron death after experiencing a TBI. Current studies suggest that cannabinoids like CBD may help to prevent chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Researchers have also reported that cannabis users with CTE find relief from symptoms like headaches, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, psychosis, substance abuse, and agitation.1
Endocannabinoids like 2-AG are thought to inhibit inflammation and protect the blood-brain barrier, and research has found that these endocannabinoids increase after brain injury. Anandamide and 2-AG are also indicated in the suppression of excitatory signaling, which may promote neuroprotective effects like those mentioned above.2
In a review from 2021 on cannabis for traumatic brain injury, researchers discussed the results of eight studies. In one study, researchers found that cannabis was helpful for improving sleep, headaches, mood, and quality of life for patients with TBI. Further studies found that patients also experienced relief from anxiety and stress. The researchers also discussed studies in which the use of cannabis was found to potentially be associated with a reduced death rate among individuals with TBI.3
Cannabinoids have demonstrated significant potential as neuroprotectants and symptom relievers for individuals experiencing CTE and other forms of TBIs. Still, more research is needed to determine proper dosing and cannabinoid ratios for the treatment of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers chronic traumatic encephalopathy to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes chronic traumatic encephalopathy or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in over half the United States. We’ve connected over 2,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Will taking CBD prevent me from getting CTE?
While the most important thing an individual can do to prevent CTE is to avoid activities and situations in which physical trauma could occur, there has been a significant push for research into the potential neuroprotective properties of CBD in individuals who experience repeated concussions or TBIs.1
Can cannabis reverse neurological disorders?
Cannabis may play a more preventative role than a curing role, but much more still needs to be learned about how cannabis can impact neurological disorders.
Is it bad to smoke if I have a traumatic brain injury?
Some studies point to cannabis as a potential source of relief for those with traumatic brain injuries. It’s possible that the neuroprotective properties of cannabis could play an essential role in this, but there’s a significant need for more studies to be done in this area.2,3 However, other studies have found that individuals with both TBI and cannabis use disorder may experience more impaired cognitive function.4
Can CBD make dementia worse?
Dementia is a potential side effect of having chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Some research has found that CBD and other cannabinoids may help to reduce symptoms like agitation and also provide neuroprotective effects.5
Resources
- Russo EB. Cannabis Therapeutics and the Future of Neurology. Front Integr Neurosci. 2018;12:51. Published 2018 Oct 18. doi:10.3389/fnint.2018.00051 ↩︎
- Lins BR, Anyaegbu CC, Hellewell SC, et al. Cannabinoids in traumatic brain injury and related neuropathologies: preclinical and clinical research on endogenous, plant-derived, and synthetic compounds. Journal of neuroinflammation. 2023;20(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-023-02734-9 ↩︎
- Hergert DC, Robertson-Benta C, Sicard V, et al. Use of Medical Cannabis to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma. 2021;38(14):1904-1917. doi:10.1089/neu.2020.7148 ↩︎
- Esmaeili A, Dismuke-Greer C, Pogoda TK, et al. Cannabis use disorder contributes to cognitive dysfunction in Veterans with traumatic brain injury. Frontiers in neurology. 2024;15. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1261249 ↩︎
- Xiong Y, Lim CS. Understanding the Modulatory Effects of Cannabidiol on Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci. 2021;11(9):1211. Published 2021 Sep 14. doi:10.3390/brainsci11091211 ↩︎
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
