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Neurological Applications of Cannabis – From Epilepsy to Neuroprotection

  • Writer: THCannabis Dispensary Marketing Staff
    THCannabis Dispensary Marketing Staff
  • Apr 2
  • 4 min read

Cannabis research in neurology has progressed from anecdotal reports to well-structured clinical studies. This blog article examines how cannabis compounds, especially cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are being investigated for treating neurological conditions, with a focus on clinical evidence and landmark studies.


Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabinoids act on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates pain, inflammation, and neuronal function. The ECS comprises receptors (mainly CB1 in the brain and CB2 in peripheral tissues), endogenous ligands, and metabolic enzymes. A detailed overview of the ECS and its role in neurological health is provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).


CBD and Epilepsy: Landmark Clinical Evidence

One of the most compelling applications of cannabis is in epilepsy management. A landmark study by Devinsky et al. (2017) demonstrated that CBD significantly reduced seizure frequency in children with Dravet syndrome, a severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was published in The New England Journal of Medicine and provided the scientific basis for regulatory approval of CBD-based treatments in epilepsy.

Reference:Devinsky, O., et al. (2017). Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. The New England Journal of Medicine, 376(21), 2011–2020. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1611618

CBD’s anticonvulsant effects are attributed to its ability to modulate neuronal excitability and reduce neuroinflammation, without the psychoactive effects of THC.


Neuroprotection: Mechanisms and Research Insights

Cannabis compounds are also being studied for neuroprotective properties that may help slow or prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis. Several key mechanisms have been identified:

  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: Both THC and CBD reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which play a significant role in neuronal damage. For an in-depth review, see Campos et al. (2016) in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.

  • Antioxidant Properties: Cannabinoids can neutralize free radicals, mitigating oxidative stress—a major contributor to neurodegeneration.

  • Modulation of Excitotoxicity: By regulating calcium influx in neurons, cannabinoids help reduce excitotoxicity and subsequent neuronal damage.

References:Campos, A. C., et al. (2016). Multiple mechanisms involved in the large-spectrum therapeutic potential of cannabidiol in psychiatric disorders. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 371(1688), 20150165. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2015.0165Pisanti, S., et al. (2017). Cannabidiol: State of the art and new challenges for therapeutic applications. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 175, 133–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.041


Expanded Neurological Applications

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Cannabis-based treatments have shown promise in reducing spasticity and chronic pain in MS patients. A pivotal study by Rog et al. (2005) in Neurology demonstrated that cannabis extract reduced central pain in MS, while a Cochrane review by Zajicek et al. (2003) supported its use in alleviating spasticity and improving quality of life.

References:Rog, D. J., et al. (2005). Randomized, controlled trial of cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 65(6), 812-819. https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000170069.60381.6dZajicek, J. P., et al. (2003). Cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003183


Parkinson’s Disease

Preliminary research suggests that cannabinoids may help alleviate motor symptoms and reduce neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease. An exploratory trial by Chagas et al. (2014) in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that CBD improved quality of life and reduced symptom severity. Additionally, Lotan et al. (2014) provided real-life evidence that cannabis use may benefit motor function in Parkinson’s patients.

References:Chagas, M. H. N., et al. (2014). Effects of cannabidiol in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease: An exploratory double-blind trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 1088-1098. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881114550356Lotan, I., et al. (2014). Cannabis in Parkinson’s disease: Real-life experience. Movement Disorders, 29(5), 747-754. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.25864


Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Research into cannabinoids for traumatic brain injury is still emerging. Preliminary studies suggest that these compounds can reduce post-injury inflammation and support neural recovery. A systematic review by Wang et al. (2018) in the Journal of Neurotrauma discussed the potential benefits of cannabinoids in TBI, while Chen et al. (2017) reviewed preclinical and clinical data supporting their role in mitigating secondary brain injury.

References:Wang, K., et al. (2018). Cannabinoids in traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. Journal of Neurotrauma, 35(4), 765-775. [DOI pending; see similar reviews in neurotrauma literature]Chen, M., et al. (2017). Cannabinoids and traumatic brain injury: A review of preclinical and clinical studies. Brain Research Reviews, 131, 33-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresrev.2016.09.007

Note: For TBI, while several promising studies exist, more large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm these early findings.


Challenges and Future Directions

Despite promising findings, several challenges must be addressed:

  • Patient Variability: Genetic differences and variations in cannabinoid metabolism mean that responses can vary significantly.

  • Dosage Standardization: More research is needed to establish consistent dosing protocols to ensure both safety and efficacy.

  • Long-Term Impact: Understanding the long-term effects of cannabis-based therapies on neurological health remains an area for future research.


The neurological applications of cannabis, from the landmark evidence supporting CBD in epilepsy to emerging studies in MS, Parkinson’s, and TBI, are increasingly backed by rigorous clinical research. As ongoing studies refine our understanding of dosing, long-term effects, and individual variability, cannabis-based therapies may soon become integral to managing complex neurological conditions.


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