In the UK, someone has a stroke every five minutes; that equates to 100,000 people having one each year.
There are currently estimated to be around 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK, who may suffer long-term effects such as pain, muscle problems and headaches.
One possible remedy that has been trialled to mitigate against such side effects is cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD.
This cannabinoid is found in cannabis. Unlike its cousin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not produce a ‘high’.
CBD is widely available in the UK, where it is marketed as a supplement, available in chemists, health food shops and online.
It is most often consumed as an oil, but can also be found in edibles (such as gummy sweets), creams, balms and e-liquids (vapes).
How can it help?
Research has found that CBD may help with a variety of physical issues, such as fibromyalgia, arthritis and muscle pain.
It has also been found to be beneficial for mental health, with many users claiming it relieves insomnia, anxiety and depression.
In fact, studies suggest that the cannabinoid may have a protective effect on the brain, which is where its potential benefit to stroke survivors comes in.
First of all, it may protect the brain by ensuring that neurons are as healthy as possible, which works by supporting calcium ion handling, which is necessary for nerves to send electrical impulses, and neuron metabolism – how the neurons generate energy to survive.
Supporting the health of these neurons has found to be critical when it comes to supporting stroke survivors.
Secondly, CBD is high in antioxidants, which protect cells against free radicals, the toxic compounds that are released when the blood supply is cut off to cells, as happens in a stroke.
Prevention is better than cure
There is also a growing body of evidence than CBD can treat some of the conditions that could lead to a stroke, in particular cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is one of the primary causes, making it a key area of focus when it comes to prevention measures.
Your blood pressure can rise under stress, but some research suggests a dose of CBD can lessen that spike. A clinical trial found that a 600mg dose of CBD was able to reduce resting blood pressure scores by 6 mmHg.
In a 2009 study, rats were subjected to a stressful situation that caused their blood pressure and heart rate to increase; a dose of CBD was found to lower both.
In a 2017 study, otherwise healthy human volunteers were subjected to stress and then given a dose of CBD. Again, the CBD lowered their blood pressure, as compared to the volunteers who had been given a placebo.
However, a 2017 review of 25 studies found that there was no conclusive evidence that CBD provided similar results under non-stressful conditions.
The CBD was effective at treating the stress causing the blood pressure spike, but may not be replicated in those whose blood pressure was caused by other factors.
Are there any other benefits?
With many stroke survivors also suffering from muscle stiffness and pain, cannabidiol can help here too, as it has long been recognised for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
This is due to how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for regulating and restoring balance in our body.
So, does it work?
On balance, the results are unclear although there are many positive signs that CBD can help stroke survivors to some degree.
In the 2017 paper Therapeutic Potential of Non-Psychotropic Cannabidiol in Ischemic Stroke (Hayakawa et al, 2017), researchers concluded that CBD has “long-lasting cerebro-protective effect after ischemic stroke, and lack of development of tolerance”.
The researchers also found that CBD has almost no side effects, including psychotropic activity and that “Preliminary studies highlight the fact that the multifunctional actions of CBD may lead to benefits in more complex systems within the brain after ischemic stroke”.
However, the study ended by arguing that further research is needed to offer a definitive answer, saying: “CBD offers new therapeutic possibilities for treating ischemic stroke, although further clinical studies are needed to definitively evaluate the clinical values of CBD.”
What’s next?
At the moment, CBD is not available to treat strokes on the NHS, although this may change as more conclusive evidence emerges.
As with any supplement, you should always consult a doctor before trying it, as it may react with other medications you are taking.
