
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually caused by a physical blow to the head that damages the brain. The severity of a TBI can range from a mild concussion to a critical injury that causes permanent damage or death.
Traumatic brain injury is a significant cause of death. In 2020, there were more than 64,000 TBI-related deaths in the US.
TBI can lead to a wide range of health problems. In a 2022 study, researchers found that children who experience a mild traumatic brain injury are more at risk for behavioral and emotional issues.1
Due to TBI being a common injury for members of the military and victims of war, the development of its treatment is intertwined with the major wars throughout history. Research has greatly advanced in the past twenty years, and experts continue to study new methods of rehabilitation.2
What Causes Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury happens when your brain is bruised, bleeding, or otherwise damaged due to a head injury. The severity of the damage can depend on the type of injury and the force of its impact.
Some activities commonly cause TBI:
- A bad fall
- Car, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents
- Violent acts, including gunshot wounds, domestic violence, and child abuse
- Sports-related injuries
- Explosive blasts and other combat injuries
There are two types of TBI:
- Closed brain injury or blunt trauma: This is when the brain is banged against the inside of the skull, resulting in bruising and torn brain tissue, often resulting in a mTBI or concussion.
- Penetrating brain injury: This is caused when something pierces or breaks open the skull and damages the brain.
Signs & Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
If you have a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Speech problems
- Dizziness
- Sensory problems, including blurred vision and light sensitivity
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to minutes
- Confusion
- Mood swings
- Sleep changes
If you have a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, in addition to the above list, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness for a few minutes to hours
- Continuous or worsening headache
- Constant vomiting or nausea
- Seizures or convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluids coming out of ears or nose
- Difficulty waking up
- Weakness or numbness in toes and fingers
- Impaired coordination
- Unusual behavior, including confusion and agitation
- Slurred speech
- Coma or other unconsciousness
Symptoms of TBI depend on the severity of the injury and may appear immediately or show up days to weeks later.
Symptoms of TBI may present differently in children. Look for:
- Changes in nursing or eating
- Persistent crying
- Unusual irritability
- Changes in attention or sleep habits
- Seizures
- Drowsiness
- A sad or uninterested mood
Even when mild, a traumatic brain injury is still serious. Always see a healthcare provider when symptoms of a TBI are present after a head injury.
TBI can result in many different long-term complications, including those affecting your behavior, cognition, and physical and emotional state. Recovery from TBI is possible in some cases and includes treatment and rehabilitation.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury?
No medication has been shown to be effective in treating a traumatic brain injury, but it may be possible to alleviate some TBI symptoms.
Pre-clinical studies demonstrate that CBD can prevent cell death, oxidative stress, and inflammation after brain injury caused by stroke in animals. Other animal studies have shown the potential of CBD to reduce anxiety, aggression, and depression.3
While THC has been well demonstrated for its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting, common symptoms of TBI, THC has also shown the potential to be neuroprotective post-injury.4
Newer research suggests that cannabis use may have a protective effect on pre-traumatic brain injury. Researchers showed that cannabis users had a higher home discharge rate and overall shorter hospital stay compared to non-cannabis users who had experienced a TBI.5
While cannabis may be able to improve mood-related and cognitive effects of TBI, its long-term safety and efficacy is unknown. A 2024 study found that veterans with a TBI who had also been diagnosed with cannabis use disorder (CUD) had a higher risk of developing cognitive disorders such as dementia.6
Until more is known, people with TBI should exercise caution and consult with a healthcare provider before using cannabis for TBI.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers traumatic brain injury 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 traumatic brain injury 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.
Does cannabis help people with traumatic brain injury?
While no medication or chemical has been shown to treat TBI, using cannabis may improve the overall quality of life for people with symptoms of TBI. Further clinical trials are needed to determine the exact efficacy and safety of long-term marijuana use in TBI patients.
Can you smoke cannabis after a traumatic brain injury?
The exact effects of smoked cannabis on TBI have not been uncovered. It is best to consult with your doctor before using cannabis after a TBI.
What is the best cannabis strain for a TBI?
There is no research to indicate what cannabinoid or dosing and ratio is best for patients with a traumatic brain injury. Low CBD or 1:1 products may be the safest option; however, no definitive claims can be made at this time.
Resources
- Lopez DA, Christensen ZP, Foxe JJ, Ziemer LR, Nicklas PR, Freedman EG. Association between mild traumatic brain injury, brain structure, and mental health outcomes in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Neuroimage. 2022;263:119626. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119626
↩︎ - Lindberg MA, Moy Martin EM, Marion DW. Military Traumatic Brain Injury: The History, Impact, and Future. J Neurotrauma. 2022;39(17-18):1133-1145. doi:10.1089/neu.2022.0103 ↩︎
- 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 ↩︎
- 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 ↩︎
- Szaflarski JP, Szaflarski M. Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes After Recreational Cannabis Use. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2024;20:809-821. Published 2024 Apr 3. doi:10.2147/NDT.S453616 ↩︎
- 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 ↩︎
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.