20
Stroke
Category
Neurodevelopmental
REVIEWED BY
Our Biomedical Scientist
Reviewed based on
Clinical Trials
Last update
December 2020
What is Stroke
A stroke is a serious medical condition that happens when the blood supply to some part of the brain is abruptly interrupted or decreased, leading to sudden death (within minutes) of brain cells.1
Symptoms
- Difficulty speaking, communication, and understanding other people
- Sudden paralysis, numbness, or weakness in the face, arm, or leg
- Eye problem(s) e.g. blurred-, blackened- or double vision
- Sudden and severe headache, that may be accompanied by purging, dizziness, or distorted consciousness
- Difficulty walking e.g. lack of balance or stumbling
It is important to be aware of when the first symptoms of stroke occur because the treatment success depends on how fast patients get help.
Cause
There are several types of strokes with ischemic stroke being the most common.
- Ischemic stroke
This occurs when the brain´s blood vessels are narrowed or blocked, leading to decreased blood flow. - Hemorrhagic stroke
This occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts.
The connection between Cannabinoids & Stroke
Studies find that CBD and THC may have great therapeutic potential and may be used to help treat stroke. CBD and THC are well-known cannabinoids, however, they do not have the same psychoactive effects. THC is psychoactive while CBD does not possess psychoactive effects. According to WHO guidelines, the cannabidiol CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.
Clinical research proposes that the cannabinoids THC and CBD may be helpful in the treatment of stroke as these cannabinoids have been found to exhibit neuroprotective effects.2 It was shown that cannabinoids can help limit excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, suggesting that they may represent a good pathway when developing future treatments.3
The literature discussion is an overview of the published results from scientific studies investigating if and how cannabinoids can be beneficial in the treatment of stroke. The overview will be updated regularly to ensure the newest and most accurate information.
Today, we are not able to provide any literature discussion about cannabinoids and stroke.
Clinical trials are research studies that examine new treatments and evaluate their effects on human health outcomes.
Endo-, Plant- and cannabinoid receptors may be involved in reducing neuronal degeneration after a stroke
Meta-analysis disclosed that neuronal degeneration can be reduced by endocannabinoids such as AEA, OEA, or PEA and plant cannabinoids such as THC and CBD after stroke.4
The strongest protective effect was through activation of CB1 and/or CB2 but other receptors like 5-HT1A and PPARα are also likely to play a role.4
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113
- https://ghmedical.com/endocannabinoid-system/diseases/stroke
- Choi, S.H., Et Al., (2019). ”Cannabis and Cannabinoid Biology in Stroke: Controversies, Risks, and Promises”. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334894928_Cannabis_and_Cannabinoid_Biology_in_Stroke_Contro
- England, T.J., Et Al., (2014). “Cannabinoids in experimental stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis”. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25492113/
CANNABINOIDS & RECEPTORS
Below you find the plant cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and endocannabinoids that are associated with the potential therapy.
If you have any further information relevant to the connection between stroke and cannabinoids or find any of the information inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete please contact us here.
