The use of CBD oil for stroke patients is a common scenario and you might have come across several studies that prove CBD is beneficial in that way. However, have you thought about CBD after a stroke? Is it effective? Come on let us find out. First, let us understand the concept of stroke.
What Is A Stroke?
It is a medical condition that is acute and is caused due to oxygen and blood being blocked from flowing into a few parts of the human brain. As you already know, the human brain is an extremely complex organ and thus it requires a regular oxygen supply to function properly. Thus when a stroke occurs, brain cells begin to die because of insufficient oxygen supply. There are two types of strokes:
Ischemic Stroke
Triggered due to high blood pressure; this type of stroke happens when the blood vessels present in the human brain begin to narrow down or clot. Ischemic stroke is sub-divided into thrombotic stroke and embolic stroke.
When there is a clot in the blood vessel which pumps blood to the human brain, it is referred to as a thrombotic stroke. On the contrary, when cholesterol or plaque from the infected blood vessels breaks and travels all up to the human brain, it is called an embolic stroke.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
When a blood vessel ruptures and causes internal bleeding, the stroke is called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Common Symptoms Of Stroke
- Loss of balance
- Difficulty in walking
- Severe headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Impaired vision
- Temporary blindness
- Numbness
- Face paralysis
- Confusion
- Speaking disability
Common Causes Of Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes and obesity
- Genetics
- Atherosclerosis
Does CBD Protect The Brain After A Stroke And How?
The normal response of a body to any medical trauma is inflammation. Therefore, after a stroke, the immune system of the human body activates its protective shield in the form of inflammation in the area of the clot. The inflammation levels and oxidation are so high that they can potentially damage the affected as well as surrounding tissue. At the time of stroke, what happens in the human brain is that the TLR4 receptor interacts with galectin-3 leading to the release of cytokines. Thus, even after the stroke has stopped, the cytokines are continued to be produced by the interaction. The role of CBD is to lower the level of cytokine production in the human brain as it is a great antioxidant.