A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. Often, the effects of a concussion last only for a short period of time. However, a concussion can cause a person to experience long-term memory loss, cognitive impairment, drastic mood changes and severe pain.
Amazingly, new research suggests that CBD might be a treatment for concussion sufferers. CBD, as it turns out, may have the ability to protect a person from brain damage as well as the swelling and pain that results from the injury.
CBD is a cannabinoid that is found in the hemp plant. Often, it’s associated with marijuana, a drug that is illegal in most states. However, it’s not extracted from the marijuana plant. Therefore, it won’t get a user high. Currently, CBD is being studied for its ability to treat a wide range of conditions such as migraines, anxiety, depression and chronic pain.
What Causes a Concussion?
A concussion is the result of a head injury. Commonly, a concussion is caused by a blow to the head. However, it can result from shaking of the head as well.
When a person experiences a head injury, the brain is shaken inside of the skull. Because the brain is made of a very soft material, it is uniquely vulnerable to damage. When the brain is tossed around, the brain cells can become inflamed, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms. A concussion can also cause brain cells to die in large numbers.
We often associate concussions with sports in which the athletes are at risk of being hit in the head or falling onto the ground repeatedly. It has recently been determined that professional football players are at a high risk of experiencing concussions since they’re often violently thrown onto the ground. Statistics show that many former football players have experienced some form of head trauma during their time on the field.
What Are the Risks and Symptoms Associated with a Concussion?
Often, a person who has experienced a concussion will suffer from confusion, dizziness and headache pain. Commonly, a concussion sufferer will have lost memory of the moment during which the injury occurred. It’s not uncommon for a concussion sufferer to experience temporary amnesia, mood changes and irritability.
However, more severe symptoms can result from a concussion. Permanent brain damage can result from a particularly traumatic injury. Severe symptoms include permanent memory loss, dramatic changes in personality, chronic migraines and loss of certain motor skills.
One of the biggest dangers associated with a concussion is the fact that the symptoms don’t always show up right away. Many times, it can take several hours for the first symptoms to appear. This puts the sufferer at risk of not receiving proper medical treatment at the time of the injury, creating the risk of developing more severe symptoms later.
What are the Current Treatment Options for a Concussion?
Currently, the most popular treatment for a concussion involves rest and anti-inflammatory medications. These medications reduce the pain and swelling that are caused by the injury. However, there are no known medications that specifically treat the mental effects of the trauma.
However, CBD researchers are hoping to convince the medical industry that this plant-derived cannabinoid has the ability to reverse the effects of a concussion. As it turns out, CBD may boast the incredible ability to protect neurotransmitters throughout the brain.
Can CBD Treat a Concussion?
The way in which CBD has the potential to treat a concussion is extremely fascinating. Because CBD is a cannabinoid, it replenishes the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system serves the purpose of maintaining homeostasis throughout the body. It regulates everything from body temperature to mood.
The endocannabinoid system also regulates brain function. The human brain possesses several cannabinoid receptors. When a person takes CBD, they are supplying the brain with what it needs to function properly.
CBD has been found to have neuroprotective properties. It attaches itself to the brain, reducing inflammation within the brain cells. When a person has experienced a traumatic brain injury, the brain cells become inflamed in response to the blow. Inflammation of the brain is responsible for a few the effects associated with a concussion.
What’s even more fascinating is that some studies have demonstrated that CBD has the potential to stimulate neurogenesis. In other words, this cannabinoid may regenerate brain cells. Because the loss of many brain cells can occur as the result of a head injury, CBD may be a remarkable treatment option for concussions. Scientists believe that it can replenish the brain cells that have died because of impact.
CBD also boasts pain-relieving properties. This is because of its combination of anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Often, a concussion can cause a severe headache that can last for several days. By taking CBD, concussion sufferers may be able to get relief from pain without being exposed to the risks that are associated with commonly prescribed opioid drugs.
To many regular CBD users, this news doesn’t come as a surprise. The amazing effects that CBD has on the brain have made it an incredibly popular alternative to conventional medications that are prescribed in clinical environments. Many people use CBD to treat anxiety and depression. In fact, CBD is currently being studied for its ability to prevent dementia.
Unsurprisingly, NFL players are beginning to investigate the therapeutic benefits of this natural product as well. Currently, marijuana is banned by the NFL. Because CBD contains an incredibly small amount of THC, it typically doesn’t register on drug tests. However, the odd batch of CBD can contain enough THC to produce a positive test.
Because CBD has been found to have the potential to treat concussion symptoms, many professional football players are urging the NFL to reconsider its position on marijuana use. Their argument is that CBD is a much safer treatment option than prescription painkillers that can be addictive and dangerous. As of now, many former NFL players have turned to CBD to treat the symptoms of a head injury.
Is CBD Safe to Take?
Many studies show that CBD is safe to take over a long period of time. Many researchers agree that the most common side effect of CBD is drowsiness. However, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone’s body chemistry is different. Therefore, it’s wise to speak with your doctor before self-medicating with CBD.
CBD that comes from the hemp plant is perfectly legal. Because it’s not derived from the marijuana plant, it doesn’t put a user at risk of experiencing mind-altering effects. Therefore, it isn’t classified as an illegal drug.
If you want to start using CBD to treat the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, it’s wise to start with a small dose. This allows you to carefully monitor any possible side effects. If you’re not sure how much to take, you can speak with a medical professional.
How Do I Find High-Quality CBD?
If you’re interested in treating the symptoms of a head injury with CBD, it’s crucial that you know how to seek out the very best CBD that’s out there. Because CBD is such a trendy product right now, many companies are putting cheap, low-quality and ineffective CBD products on the market.
When purchasing a CBD product, it’s wise to look for a company such as Wellicy that posts third party lab results on their website. These lab results deliver unbiased information regarding the effectiveness, purity and quality of the CBD that is being sold. If a company does not provide lab results on their website, you can ask for them yourself by contacting a customer service representative.
Typically, organic CBD is better. It contains higher levels of nutrients that work together to replenish the endocannabinoid system. Therefore, organic CBD can be more effective at treating your symptoms.
Also, it’s wise to look for full spectrum CBD. This refers to the method of extraction used to create the product. Full spectrum CBD contains chemical compounds from the entire hemp plant. This plant is diverse in beneficial compounds that join forces to boost your endocannabinoid system.
Typically, high-quality CBD will be more expensive than what you would find at the local convenience store. However, the price is worth it if you’re looking to purchase a product that may deliver the results that you’re looking for. High-quality CBD is much purer and more potent than the cheap products that you’ll find on the market. Therefore, you’ll only need a very small amount to test its effects.
CBD’s Future for The Brain
The future of CBD in relation to its ability to treat concussion sufferers looks promising. As additional studies are conducted to confirm CBD’s effects on the brain, more medical professionals will begin to recognize that this natural product can quite possibly, in an effect manner treat the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.
