Cannabis and Neuroprotection: My Story, the Science, and a Workplace Wake-Up Call

By Jodi Chapin RN

Last week, I shared a blog about my 2011 subarachnoid hemorrhage and how I believe cannabis played a key role in protecting my brain and aiding my recovery. That post focused on cannabis and brain injuries, but a recent and profoundly unsettling health scare in my workplace has pushed me to expand on the topic.

In my unit, nine young women have been diagnosed with brain tumors. 

Nine.

To put that into perspective, brain tumors are relatively rare, with an estimated lifetime risk of less than 1% in the general population. Yet here we are, with a cluster of diagnoses in one workplace—young, otherwise healthy women facing something that should be statistically improbable.

This alarming pattern has made me question everything—the environment we work in, the potential risks we’re exposed to, and what else I can do to protect my own brain health beyond cannabis.

As a nurse, I’ve always believed in a holistic approach to wellness. Cannabis is a huge part of my personal health regimen, but this situation has made me dig deeper into other neuroprotective strategies. It’s also reignited my frustration with the federal government’s conflicting stance on cannabis—especially when they hold a patent on cannabinoids for neuroprotection yet continue to restrict access.

Cannabis has long been scrutinized and stigmatized, but emerging research continues to highlight its neuroprotective properties, particularly its role in reducing inflammation, protecting brain cells from oxidative stress, and even aiding in the potential shrinkage of brain tumors. Interestingly, the U.S. government itself holds a patent on cannabinoids as neuroprotectants, acknowledging their therapeutic potential while cannabis remains federally illegal.

The U.S. Government Patent on Cannabinoids

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was granted Patent No. 6,630,507, titled "Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants." This patent recognizes that cannabinoids can limit neurological damage following stroke, trauma, and other neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's (Hampson et al., 2003).

The irony? Despite holding this patent, the federal government continues to classify cannabis as a Schedule I drug, meaning it is considered to have no medical use. Yet, research suggests otherwise.

Cannabis and Brain Tumor Shrinkage

One of the most promising areas of research involves cannabinoids and glioblastoma, an aggressive and deadly brain tumor. Studies have shown that THC and CBD can induce apoptosis (cell death) in glioblastoma cells while protecting healthy brain tissue (Blázquez et al., 2004). A study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics found that THC and CBD enhanced the effects of radiation therapy, leading to significant reductions in tumor size (Torres et al., 2011).

Additionally, a 2017 study in Frontiers in Pharmacology confirmed that cannabinoids inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors) (Velasco et al., 2017). These findings suggest that cannabis may be an adjunct therapy for brain cancer patients.

Cannabis and Stroke Recovery: My Experience

I was a mother of three and a busy labor and delivery nurse when my hemorrhage struck. I spent time in the neuro ICU, and while I was fortunate to survive, I faced cognitive fog, fatigue, and chronic pain in the aftermath. But here’s where my story diverges from the norm—I returned to work as a charge nurse in just 4 ½ weeks.

I firmly believe that my long-term cannabis use before and after my hemorrhage helped protect my brain from severe damage. Research supports this idea:

• Cannabinoids reduce excitotoxicity, a process where excessive glutamate causes brain cell death after strokes and trauma (Mechoulam & Spatz, 1998).

• CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, helping to reduce oxidative stress that contributes to neurodegeneration (Esposito et al., 2006).

• THC and CBD promote neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons, which can aid recovery from brain injury (Wolf et al., 2010).

While my recovery was not without challenges, I credit cannabis with helping me regain cognitive function and reduce reliance on pharmaceuticals.

A Workplace Wake-Up Call: Nine Diagnosed with Brain Tumors

Hearing that nine young women in my workplace have been diagnosed with brain tumors stopped me in my tracks. It’s terrifying, and it raises urgent questions:

• Is there an environmental factor at play?

• What else can I do to protect my brain health, beyond cannabis?

• Should I be concerned about my own risk?

This has pushed me to explore other neuroprotective strategies to complement cannabis:

Beyond Cannabis: Other Ways to Protect the Brain

1. Reduce Environmental Toxins

   • Avoid exposure to pesticides, plastics, and heavy metals.

   • Opt for glass or stainless steel over plastic containers.

   • Use non-toxic cleaning and personal care products.

2. Prioritize Antioxidant-Rich Nutrition

   • Eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids (wild fish, flaxseeds, walnuts).

   • Incorporate brain-boosting foods like blueberries, turmeric, and dark leafy greens.

   • Avoid processed foods, sugar, and excessive alcohol.

3. Support Mitochondrial Health

   • Consider supplements like CoQ10, magnesium, and vitamin D.

   • Get plenty of sunlight and infrared sauna therapy for cellular support.

4. Practice Neuroprotective Lifestyle Habits

   • Engage in regular exercise to boost brain function.

   • Get adequate sleep, as the brain detoxifies during deep sleep cycles.

   • Reduce chronic stress, which can contribute to neuroinflammation.

5. Detox from Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs)

   • Reduce prolonged cell phone exposure.

   • Use wired headphones instead of Bluetooth.

   • Keep devices away from your head and body when sleeping.

     
     

The Future of Cannabis and Neuroprotection

The evidence supporting cannabis as a neuroprotectant continues to grow, yet policy remains outdated. If the U.S. government recognizes the brain-protecting properties of cannabinoids in its own patent, why are patients still denied access?

For stroke survivors, brain tumor patients, and those at risk for neurodegenerative diseases, cannabis presents a natural, plant-based option that warrants further clinical investigation. As both a nurse and a survivor, I advocate for more research and patient access to cannabis as part of an integrative approach to neurological health.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis helped me heal. However, my recent workplace scare has reminded me that I need to be proactive about ongoing brain protection. This means combining cannabis with other neuroprotective strategies—because, in a world where neurological disorders are on the rise, we need all the tools available to us.

References

• Blázquez, C., et al. (2004). "Cannabinoids inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway in gliomas." Cancer Research, 64(16), 5617-5623.

• Esposito, G., et al. (2006). "Cannabidiol in vivo blunts beta-amyloid induced neuroinflammation by suppressing IL-1β and iNOS expression." Journal of Neuroinflammation, 3(1), 1-9.

• Hampson, A. J., et al. (2003). U.S. Patent No. 6,630,507 B1. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

• Mechoulam, R., & Spatz, M. (1998). "Endocannabinoids and neuroprotection." Science & Medicine, 4(1), 48-55.

• Torres, S., et al. (2011). "A combined preclinical therapy of cannabinoids and temozolomide against glioma." Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 10(1), 90-103.

• Velasco, G., et al. (2017). "Deciphering the role of cannabinoids in glioblastoma multiforme progression and therapy." Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, 110.

• Wolf, S. A., et al. (2010). "Cannabinoids promote adult hippocampal neurogenesis and protect against neurodegeneration." Journal of Clinical Investigation, 120(2), 738-748.