Is It Okay to Smoke Pot After a Brain Injury?

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Comments (283)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Richard replied on

Very well.. said !
was just like You till weed came into picture.

Jason replied on

i dont agree that weed is not good for people with brain injury it can relieve pain and so many other reasons whoever said its harmful should talk to a professional about it

Tiffany replied on

I strongly disagree with this article. Big pharm & their secret partners (hospitals) want that residual income at the cost of their patients. They have drugs to help get off drugs.....their drugs kill other major organs but they have more drugs to counter that horrible side effect. Medical marijuana and cbd oil has helped my husband a thousand fold. No mood swings, no uncontrollable shakes, speech became clearer. I'll back up the marijuana before any other pharm drug.

Ed replied on

I agree with you 100 % as a TBI suffer from almost 8 years ago I am on long term disability. It took me almost 3 years to get off all the medication and that is a good thing.

Jeff replied on

Spot on.
Glad it works
Wish I knew why CBD oil messed up my diet so much !!
Loads of stuff I can't drink or eat ever since trying CBD oil.
Caused severe stomach cramps and uncontrollable temperature changes in me
NOT a cure for everyone.
I vape full oil= no issues.
Good luck

Traci Giles replied on

I agree! My only confusion is knowing what strains to use?

Bob Taylor replied on

My problem is finding a dealer. I know a jerk in a classy Ph.D program who knows some people who smoke it, but he's terrified of what might happen to him if it became known he'd introduced me to any of them. An overly lucky and privileged *****, in my opinion.

I'm thinking of just asking workers at Whole Foods. I know the stuff does wonderful things for me. I just cannot get any.

JoeDaddy808 replied on

Excellent! I’m so glad that you posted your comment! I totally agree! Big pharma... Don’t get me started... I’m also very happy to hear that you’ve found a NATURAL substance (made by God), that can take the place of manufactured medication!!! I highly recommend others to try these natural methods, as long as it’s legal (!!!)

Louis replied on

I think big pharma is a joke all the over dose is because of big pharma and there increased opiates

Jason replied on

Thanks for the feedback. I went in for a CT scan after a traumatic car accident and it came back unclear. Now I need an MRI scan to see deeper into my brain more clearly. Still use cbd and thc therapy along with oxycodone when needed should I worry at all about marijuana as bad as they say I should. And does it cause more damage or not?

Jeff replied on

My untrained no medical experience.
YES YOU SHOULD
Any medication can effect different people badly and without professional trained OPEN,HONEST AND UNBIASED advise we all play Russian roulette if we intake street drugs.
Taking any remedy may interfere with your medication or diagnosis.
Tell your Drs if you smoke and at least try to trust there professional opinion/training or find a more sympathetic Dr.
Don't waste time tell Dr in first visit then if no help get another asp.

I take daily- deep breath;
8 paracetamol ,
10 baclofen,
8 methocarbamol ,
70mg Zomorph (morphine) tablets day and night.
Occasional add breakthrough liquid morphine ,
About 4to 6 oxazepam
Meloxicam
Citrolapam
Omeprazole
Glandosane throat spray
Lumigan eye drops
Mometazone nasal spray.

Had head injury, epilepsy spinal injury.
Neck injury,
Back injury.
Nose injury.
Ulnar nerve damage.
Photophobia
All from Gulf 91.

Now waiting L4/5 discotmy back operation. After a spinal tap for M.S/M.N.D./
deheminililation .
Warned possible " "Caudia equina " or squashed spine.
Possible growth at base of brain (expect it to be spinal damage )
Scars or lesion on my brain (new)
And
"Anterior horn cell disease "

Without weed still spend most days on floor in pain and struggle to talk.
A drag or two of oil in vapour pen and I can talk stand,relax, Laugh .
I look healthy and strong!

I would still say nicotine is far worse than cannabis .
Best thing I did stopping that, but certain CBD oil messed me up
(No thankyou)
But think ?
"Do you need weed or just want to get high ?
Don't just smoke cause everyone else does.
Weed helps but give me baclofen or morphine first any day!
And my Drs (good or bad)

No it's GENERALLY not dangerous to healthy strong people.
But some people are at serious risk if they add any substance, smoke,drink,pills,activity.
Its Your life pal but if going to but worried, don't try alone.
I've collapsed into a fit after blowback years ago.
If alone etc could easily of dyed.
Its not Oxygen.

Justin replied on

Hi Tiffany,
I completely agree with what you have to say and I am glad to hear that it has helped your husband! I suffer from severe traumatic brain damage to my frontal lobe that I encountered in 2003. I had to re-learn everything from who I was to who my family and friends were even walking, talking and all other independent functions had to be re-learned. My life was a complete upside down roller-coaster for about five years until I discovered cannabis. Cannabis gave me back my positive inner-voice and allowed me to channel my disability in a new light. I can proudly say that I have beaten the odds and have attained an Associates, Bachelors, and four more classes away from earning a Masters in psychology applied behavior analysis. Cannabis has been my biggest aid towards independence and happiness!

Julie Wilson replied on

I have smoked marijuana for 29yrs, I have recently suffered a sabarachnoid haemorrhage which have been coiled 1 burst + 1 bulged, I'm currently taking medication + have been told I need to stop smoking altogether ( cigarettes as well as marijuana ) I enjoy the high I used to get + am wondering 1-was my aneurysm caused by smoking marijuana ? + 2-will I never be allowed to smoke it again ? I enjoyed chilling out with a joint + don't drink alcohol I have a check up in 8week's time + of course they are going to tell me I shouldn't smoke at all, I'm worried that if I do smoke again I may die or suffer seizures is there any known links between them please ??

Donovan replied on

This is western medicine opinion. I personally received a very traumatic brain injury in March of 1999. I have taken several medications for memory improvement, and impulsiveness. The prescription medications would work for a few months, then I would develop an immunity, so I would have to change to a different pill. In mid April, 2018 I started smoking marijuana oil, sativa hybrid 70% thc. In 3.5 months, I am not taking any prescription medications, and have been having flashbacks of the head on collision that caused the tbi in 1999.

Ronnie replied on

Hi my name is Ronnie I suffered from a TBI I was out with some friends drinking and chilling and one of my friends I was with had a friend with him and all I remember was us drinking and talking and the friend that my friend brong out with us started getting mad because I wouldn’t buy another drink and remind you we was sitting on a porch well he punched me in the face then pushed me off the porch I fell backwards and hit the back of my head and had a TBI I damage the occipital lobe now that it happened to me I found out it control your vision my eyes are a little crazy now I use to smoke all the time before this happened to me I’m scared to smoke and loose my vision all the way but I still get the urge to smoke

Jeff replied on

Id be careful friend.
We've all seen smokers do a white one.
It's great stuff as an antidepressant and other stuff but it's not Oxygen your vision is more important !!
Stick below your limits
I can't drink tea or coffee or chocolate after trying CBD oil under the tongue.
I wanted the health boost without the smoke.
If you do I suggest a strain called (not jokeing) its called " no name " it has excellent medical properties and a brilliant genetic heritage developed solely for medical use.
Smokes good too !
Called no name so if court growing looks less professional =lesser crime.
2 or 3 plants 2 foot high in hydro will do all you need.
Or just California orange
Or "honey bee"
Don't go for the latest mega strong varieties.
Medical types are usually Sativa dominat.
Street weed is nearly all Indica based and makes you heavy or sleep often is grown poorly .
Learn about honey oil and vapourising.
Have a chat with your seed supplier,explaine your interested to know what variety for medical purposes .
Don't say to grow drugs :(
That or try to find a sympathic medical person (nurse) who may watch you have ONLY a drag or two !!!
Treat as medication not Fun-drugs.
I used to massive cone it all day ! Now vapourising pen and oil 2 or 3 drags when pain,shaking or anxiety becomes too much.
Wouldn't a free society be nice instead of leaving the sick in pain.
Medical timer since 92
Jeff

Donovan replied on

Ronnie, smoke it up brother. I suffered a tbi 19.5 years ago. I began reversing the tbi 3.5 months ago by smoking marijuana oil. Cannabis has abilities that haven't even been discovered yet.

Brain Injury Pa... replied on

A little about my case, which is quite different than most TBI victims.
I am writing this is June 2018....
I’ve been airlifted twice.... The first in 2001, and the second in 2005 while driving on my way to Easter seals (they had a program I was attending for my condition-TBI).
Before my second, I was within a week or so of getting a job and on with life, when it happened again.
Then 2 years after the second accident, I had brain surgery due to partial seizures, and then 2 years after that in 2009, I had eye surgery due to the second accident.
I’ve had to re-learn how to bla bla bla & bla too..... but it doesn’t matter. I’m not here to tell you how I had seizures every 5 minutes inside of a coma, and how doctors couldn’t figure out how they started or stopped.
For me what I have come to find out about marijuana is this....
For me smoking oils with THC is not the route to take. After experimenting with these oils I found that they become additive due to them being so easily accessible, with no long lasting odor, etc...
If you turn the vape pen to the side, and the oil is a liquid and not a solid, it means that there are cutting agents mixed in and they will hurt you later down the road— you will be worse off than just the simple brain injury.
If the oil is a solid (after turning the vape pen to the side), chances are that there is more THC than any human alive needs to consume in the oil.
So I got off that type of oil.. I tried CBD, and found it messed with my emotions. I became defensive about things I normally wouldn’t, etc..
What I’ve found in helping me to fit in socially, and not become so overly anxious,
I put Jesus Christ first in my life! And since then, with prayer and belief on Him, I was lead to marijuana the plant, but a very moderate amount. I use a 1 hitter and do not take it outside my house. I smoke before I go to bed a couple of hits, and without alcohol being in my system, I sleep threw the night.
Alcohol wakes me up at 3 in the morning. I don’t get much sleep with it.
Moderation of weed helps me- This is what is working for me!

Anonymous replied on

As with all drugs, dosage is the critical factor?

Ron replied on

Wow!!! Good for you! Almost EXACTLY same here!

HealedBeing replied on

Yes, I’ve suffered brain injuries.

I smoke, and continue to smoke.

We all know deep down what helps and what doesn’t.

Those that have suffered a brain injury will only tell you truthful testimonials, the rest are just talking like they know what they’re saying.

God bless

Jeff replied on

Weed is a drug that should be developed the same as opiots or morphine etc.
Drop the stigma !!!
Show your enlightened education !!!
It's better than gas and air,just as quick to relieve pain and control breving but doesn't make you feel sick like gas.
For me a few drags of blue cheese or Afghan no1 are as effective as 20mg morphine but take effect in seconds !!
My violent shakes,severe pain and laboured breving that puts me on the floor unable to talk or hold a cup can be cured in two or three drags and I'm ready for rugby or disco !
But druggies be honest !!
It's also fun and easily overused and in some this can cause problems, so treat with respect.
Switch to oil vapourising cut out nicotine etc and use only as needed.
Well except when chilling with Budds, ( Barney farm seeds).
It's our right to fair treatment and our duty to disobey any unjust law.
Fight the Mann'
Toking since '84

Ray Ferretti replied on

Anxiety and depression are part of brain injury I think. I was prescribed a Benzodiazepine called clonazepam for over 20 years! I was also prescribed Dexedrine for ADHD and an SSRI, Aricept, and omega-3 acid ethyl Esters capsules USP 120 one gram/month as well. Now, since my psychiatrist retired, no one wants to prescribe either of these first two medications!! Even though I never abused them, and I had no problem with them. Doctors today are worried about addiction, lawsuits, maybe I don't know why, ...! Marijuana is something that you cannot "swallow a bottle of"and overdose!! I predict it to become very popular... from the information that I read, the effects are temporary and a person is likely to fall asleep not overdose. I think all Benzodiazepines, and sleeping pills or pain pills are schedule 4 drugs more often than not! A lot of people are worried about accidental suicides or who knows? It would be nice to get a good night sleep instead of having chronic insomnia, and anxiety daily! I hope I can get relief. Thanks.

Ray Ferretti replied on

To "healed being": I suffered a head injury in the prime of my working career. Alcohol is horrible for me. Pot is a hopeful remedy for chronic insomnia! I would like to try it! One thing is for sure, I agree that people with head injuries always tell the truth about their injuries and what may work for them or doesn't! The way it changes your life is previously unimaginable! And there's just no room for anything besides truth! Thanks.

Nick Beckett-Baird replied on

I strongly believe what you said.

Mason replied on

I suffered a TBI a little less than 3 years ago when I was hit by a freight train while walking to work. I'd been smoking for about 7 years when this happened. I got brain surgery and had to relearn how to breathe, walk, tall, etc. again. I smoked again, very slowly at first, but I jumped in hard after a few months of that. Much too much for my mind, especially so near to when I'd had the TBI. Moderation is the key for everything. Now I take CBD's for seizures and also smoke about twice a day. I have a full time job, a house, a car, life is great. I don't know where I would be without having marijuana to smoke, but it has saved me numerous times. Smoking in moderation has done wonders for me

Carl replied on

I had a brain hemorrhage just over 2 yrs ago
This was diagnosed as a migraine for a full week before my partner, who's a nurse refused to leave the doctors surgery until he'd arranged for a scan
They scanned me and found the rupture
My point is I was smoking rather a lot during that 7 days to help with the pain and trying to sleep
I've since been told by more than one medical professional that the cannabis I smoked that week probably helped save my life
It lowers blood pressure which is handy when you;re walking around for a week with a ruptured aneurysm
thye hemorrhage took 45% if my sight on the left and though I can still work I get tension headaches across my forehead from all the squinting I do whilst reading my monitor at work
Again, a spliff after work sorts this straight away and I'm convinced is less harmful to me than a dozen paracetamol a day

Every brain injury is different as we all know but I just thought I'd share my experience

Hakeem Pickeri... replied on

I’ve also got a brain injury as everyone is different. Do you think I should be alright to smoke a little Cush??? If I come to America???

Alchemistress13 replied on

This information is completely FALSE. How can smoking pot cause another brain injury? Reading that stupid answer gave me a brain injury, Jesus.
The truth is that there are many medical facts that support the use of marijuana specifically TO help heal the brain more quickly and efficiently. So to be more precise, WEED HELPS BRAIN INJURIES. Weed is not the devil.

Joel Bevill replied on

I got hit by a drunk driver and I have a brain injury and seizure disorder, when I smoke marijuana I feel calm and normal like I didn't just take 1,100 milligrams of brain injury med, I've never had a seizure after or during smoking weed, I started to smoke when I was 14, I'm 38 now and it's different, I used to get high, now I just don't have seizures, I believe in God and I think weed helps, it comes straight from the ground He created with no man made nothing, somebody tell me why I can't have this medicine?

Joe replied on

I wouldn't smoke pot or drink if you are a TBI surviver... My son has a tramatic brain injury and he started somking pot a few weeks ago and drinking and he is now in a hospital... He became impulsive and erratic, he couldn't sleep, he was aggressive thinking people are out to get him. He was doing so good and now we have to start all over again and why because people were telling him that pot was good for brain injures...

Connie replied on

The drinking is the culprit. Same happened to my son, however the marijuana alone has been a life changer.

Daniel replied on

Your either ignorant or a ignorant dumbass if you think anything bad comes from cannabis.

I am a serious TBI survivor. 2 major and 1 minor external bleeds. Basically I shouldn't be here let alone commenting on how retarded you just sounded.

Cannabis saved not only my life but the lives of many survivors.

Jerry replied on

Hi Daniel, I do not doubt that Marijuana made you feel better. But the issue is more whether or not your brain functioning rehabilitation is retarded by the impact of the THC. My experience is that MJ has a major impact on brain function, making you less logical, less capable of linear thinking, and less capable of focusing (except on certain foods and other matters over which you will be attracted). I agree that the MJ slows down recovery from brain injury -- that is, recovery of the brain function and a person returning to activities of daily living.

Jay replied on

Sorry woman (or man), but what you are describing are just side effects from the injury... Cannabis does only cause those kind of effects very rarely and usually among people which have bad mental health problems. I had a really bad injury, had to relearn everything, but it has only helped me, and the advice that I got from many doctors completely goes against what this doctor from who knows where, that studied somewhere where they are obviously against it. You could find many symptoms and blame it on marijuana, since it affects people many different ways. And I speak of experience, I went around different doctors telling them about symptoms I had after I told them I had been using cannabis, though I had not in a long period of time. They blamed it all on cannabis, being in a country that barely started to recognise the therapeutic use. It was fun seeing their reactions after I told them the truth. I came off seizure medication after I started smoking again, because of how well I was doing. Came off morphine because of it. Doctors kept insisting on anti anxiety pills, but anxiety more or less stopped because of it. And the list goes on, I made such progress because of it. Sure it does damage the lungs, but only until every country gets their stuff sorted and makes it orally available and subsidised. So don't go blaming cannabis, when a load of other factors are most likely the cause. People are so quick to blame it, when barely no body knows why it was made illegal for the first time, purely for profit! But so many harmful chemicals and alcohol is widely accepted.

Richard curtis replied on

most likely your problems were caused by the alcohol, not the pot.

Danielle replied on

Alcohol contributes to seizures so he needs to stop drinking. Sounds like he is depressed.

Melissa replied on

I am 8 years post and just began using pot some with my boyfriend
I DO NOT get any good side effects
Only worse having a brain injury
I can’t hardly walk straight, my memory is way worse
I feel I don’t suffer enough with a TBI to get the effects that a lot with a tbi do....

Action replied on

Reefer definitely helps. Only smoke the herb though, no blunts, no joints, just the herb.

BarleySinger replied on

The words 'blunt' and 'joint' do not mean it has tobacco in it. Definitions (which you can look up for yourself) :

"Reefer" is just an old-school term meaning cannabis/marijuana. Using it in the form "a reefer" usually means a cannabis cigarette.

A "joint" is a cannabis cigarette.

A "blunt" is just a cigar sized joint that was rolled (usually) using larger stronger cigar papers instead of smaller cigarette papers.

A "Fatty" is a thick cannabis cigarette.

A "Swisher" is a (manufactured) cigar in which the tobacco has been replaced with marijuana (a way to make your blunt look like a commercial cigar)

A "Pinner" is a very cannabis cigarette

None of these terms have anything to do with the person mixing tobacco with cannabis, although ti could easily happen while making a 'swisher'

In this era, most people never ever put tobacco in with their cannabis. It makes the tobacco far more dangerous, and most cannabis smokers dislike tobacco putting it into the category of 'drugs of death' with coke, heroin and other powders .

Laine replied on

This is sooo true . I was wondering why I felt like I was going to have a seisure after smoking and drinking .

Jon D replied on

I live with TBI. Ask those of us who chose to not to use SRI drugs . We chose a natural antidepressant. I have no taste or smell and have lost 50 pounds. Get an education.

Wellthen replied on

That was clearly a negative comment and useless.
You don't like marijuana or can't physically use it. So you are NO good here.
"You" can go get an education in learning to talk properly to other people about serious medical information.

Illegal drug use or not, it's all medical related, do NOT push people ignorantly away if they use drugs or drink, you help no one by letting your opinion on illegal drugs and drinking tell people they "need to go get an education" for the things you can't answer.

Grow up. Don't involve yourself in places you can't help anyone.

Spencer replied on

Here Here

Matt replied on

Marijuana is being studied for its healing effects on serious brain injuries in the NFL. Smoking high cbd weed after my TBI was encouraged by both my specialist and my psychiatrist. Smoke up man

Ashley replied on

It is being studied yes, very exciting. I have a TBI and seizures as a result. My friend who has epilepsy and has smoked for as long as can remember. Her seizures have lessened by 80%. That's WONDERFUL!

Gcm replied on

My son currently is recovering from ..tbi...complete facial reconstruction...T-4..T-5...crushed....musle flap...skin graph...partial foot amputation...in 4 day after being released...completely off all pain meds...no pain ...smokes once a day...

Dan replied on

drs don't support Marijuana at all no point talking to them about it

Carol replied on

That's just not true. My 93 year old mother's medical primary care doctor told us to get her on it. She has tbi after a nearly fatal fall and it sent her into dementia like symptoms. She gets it in tincture form and it is successfully treating a whole host of issues for her; insomnia, lack of appetite, depression and anxiety and panic attacks. She has made a wonderful and positive transformation and is living in assisted living in her own apartment. It has been a godsend to our family.

Laurie replied on

Been using it for many years. Has helped me with many of my symptoms. I rely less on medications.

Most doctors hate cannabis but some know the benefits it gives to neurons, cannabinoids. I strongly feel more research in marijuana there'll be cures for some neurological disease.

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