The brain and spinal cord are very complex. Within them are membranes called meninges. When the meninges become infected and inflamed, the result is meningitis. This condition can be severe and often requires medical attention.
A variety of things can cause meningitis, such as a parasite or fungi, but most cases are due to a viral infection. While the infection from meningitis can be severe, the inflammation is what typically leads to symptoms. Some individuals experience symptom improvement without medical intervention, but it is uncommon. In most cases, individuals will need antibiotics and possibly more severe treatment.
There are two different types of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Viral meningitis is much more common than bacterial and is typically milder. Individuals with bacterial meningitis will most likely need more serious medical intervention.
What Causes Meningitis?
Understanding whether an individual has bacterial or viral meningitis is essential in determining the cause and recommended course of treatment.
Some very uncommon causes of meningitis include:
- Cancer
- Some medications
- Mumps
Meningitis is contagious. Sneezing, coughing, and kissing can all spread the disease. If you’ve been in contact with someone with meningitis, speak with your doctor about any precautions you should take.
Meningitis Signs & Symptoms
Individuals with meningitis may experience the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cold hands and feet
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fast breathing
Symptoms can present themselves slightly differently in children. Some common meningitis symptoms in children include:
- High-pitched cry
- Trouble waking up
- Lack of appetite
- A bulging soft spot on the top of the head
If you are experiencing symptoms of bacterial meningitis, speak with your doctor immediately. If you have severe symptoms, it’s best to go to a hospital and seek emergency care. In most meningitis cases, getting immediate care is important and can significantly impact someone’s prognosis.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Meningitis?
If you have meningitis, then you may wonder if there could be a connection between marijuana and meningitis.
Not much research has been done to understand how cannabis can affect meningitis. It’s likely that cannabis is not an extremely effective treatment, but it may help alleviate some of the symptoms, like inflammation, seizures, vomiting, and headaches.
Because inflammation is one of the most common symptoms of meningitis, the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis are important to note. One potentially therapeutic benefit of cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, is that they may relieve inflammation in multiple areas of the body, as well as provide neuroprotective properties.1
A study examining pneumococcal meningitis found that rats injected with CBD suffered fewer memory impairments than those who received a placebo. This interesting study could have applications for humans with meningitis, but more research is needed.2
Other symptoms of meningitis, like headaches, seizures, and vomiting, may also be relieved by using CBD. CBD has not only been made into an FDA-approved medication to treat epilepsy, but it has also shown great promise in relieving headaches and vomiting.3
Cannabinoids like CBD, when taken with other medications, can cause adverse interactions. One report detailed a woman who consumed both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and CBD. The woman developed drug-induced aseptic meningitis because of the metabolic interaction between the two, with the CBD inhibiting the metabolism of the NSAID, creating an increased concentration of the drug, which allowed for the development of aseptic meningitis. While this is rare, mixing the substances is a potential reality.4
It’s important to speak with your doctor about your medications and whether they can be combined with cannabis.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers meningitis 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 meningitis 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 of 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Meningitis
Is there a natural treatment for meningitis?
Meningitis can be very serious, so it’s typically not recommended to treat at home. Because of this, there hasn’t been much research into natural treatment alternatives. If you pursue a natural treatment for meningitis, speak with your doctor about your health and what options will be best for you.
Is it possible that cannabis could cause meningitis?
Cannabis itself will not cause meningitis. If you’re concerned about your cannabis products, purchasing from reputable brands and dispensaries is best.
Will smoking weed increase my chances of getting meningitis?
Coming into contact with a virus or bacteria is the only way to develop this condition. However, some things can make an individual more likely to be diagnosed with this condition. It is not currently believed that smoking weed will lead to getting meningitis. However, it is important to ensure you’re using safe products and you avoid sharing a joint or bowl if you or a friend has tested positive for meningitis.
What weed product should I consider for reducing inflammation?
If reducing inflammation is the primary goal of your cannabis consumption, many consumers choose a 1:1 THC:CBD product, either in an inhalable product (like a vape) or a tincture to avoid worsening symptoms. If you’re unsure what cannabis products are right for you, consider speaking with a professional about your options and which ones might be right for you.
Resources
1. Burstein S. Cannabidiol (CBD) and its analogs: a review of their effects on inflammation. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry. 2015;23(7):1377-1385. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2015.01.059
2. Barichello T, Ceretta RA, Generoso JS, et al. Cannabidiol reduces host immune response and prevents cognitive impairments in Wistar rats submitted to pneumococcal meningitis. European journal of pharmacology. 2012;697(1-3):158-164. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.09.053
3. Peng J, Fan M, An C, Ni F, Huang W, Luo J. A narrative review of molecular mechanism and therapeutic effect of cannabidiol (CBD). Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2022;130(4):439-456. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.13710
4. Emig M, Kafaie J, Ong S, Li X. Cannabidiol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Interactions: A Case of Drug-Induced Aseptic Meningitis. Journal of Neurology Research. 2020;10(4):132-135. doi:https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr.v0i0.598
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.
