New Study: Cannabis May Help Heal the Brain After Injury

A new study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex has found evidence that activation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors mayoriginal lead to neuroprotective benefits which can help heal the brain after a traumatic injury.

According to researchers for the study; “The results provided the first evidence for the involvement of ECS [endocannabinoid system] in the neuroprotective action of minocycline on brain edema, neurological impairment, diffuse axonal injury, and microglial activation, since all these effects were prevented by the CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists.”

These findings suggest that activiation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors (such as consuming cannabis) is vital in bringing about the neuroprotective effects of the drug minocycline. The results indicate that activation of the cannabinoid system may increase the beneficial effects of a number of other prescription drugs, and may, on its own, have vast neuroprotective capabilities.

These findings, though not directly related, help to validate a study released earlier this year which found that even miniscule amounts of cannabinoids (in this instance, THC) may protect the brain after injuries from things such as seizures, toxic drug exposure and a lack of oxygen.

The study can be found here: http://cercor.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2013/08/19/cercor.bht202.abstract

Source: http://thejointblog.com/new-study-cannabis-may-help-heal-the-brain-after-injury/