Stroke
Stroke is a serious disease that can lead to severe neurological deficits. It is the result of a blockage (or a rupture) of an artery supplying a part of the brain. The effects of this interruption in blood flow can be extremely serious, as the affected part of the brain is no longer supplied with oxygen, which can lead to the death of its cells. In most cases there are no warning signs that a stroke is about to occur.
The consequences of a stroke can vary, and more than 50 % of patients will have some after-effects. Only 1 in 10 patients recovers completely. In France, more than 110,000 stroke patients are hospitalized each year. After a stroke, some individuals may suffer from:
- Aphasia: difficulties in expressing themselves or writing, but also in understanding. There are different aphasias depending on the area of the brain affected.
- A more or less extensive paralysis. Hemiplegia is one of the most frequent after-effects of a stroke. Generally, the paralysed side of the body is opposite to the affected side of the brain.
- Memory problems, sometimes with problems of concentration and attention. Fatigue, or increased fatigability.
- Articular, muscular or neurological pain that can lead to sensations of tingling and burning.
The 3 types of strokes
Ischemic stroke (85 % of cases)
Ischemic stroke, or cerebral infarction, is the most common form of stroke and the one that gives the patient the best chance of survival. The artery is blocked by:
- A blood clot, this is called a cerebral embolism.
- A cholesterol plaque, this is called a cerebral thrombosis.
Hemorrhagic stroke
It represents 15% of cases, and is the most lethal form. It is mostly due to a ruptured aneurysm, but hypertension, tumors, or coagulation disorders can also be the cause.
TIA
A transient ischemic attack occurs when an artery is blocked for a short time and then reopens on its own, without lasting after-effects. The symptoms are identical to those of a stroke, but they last only a few seconds or minutes before disappearing. TIA can therefore go unnoticed, but it is still a life-threatening emergency.
What are the signs of a stroke?
As we have seen, the symptoms vary depending on the area of the brain that is affected and its extent. However, there are some signs that may alert you to the most common areas affected:
- A deformation of the mouth. It is not symmetrical, and may fall to one side.
- A feeling of weakness on one side of the body, upper or lower. The person cannot keep both arms up, for example.
- Speech problems
In all cases, if you observe one of these 3 signs, call the emergency services immediately (15 in France, 112 everywhere in the European Union).
Stroke prevention
The risk factors for stroke are well known and are mostly related to lifestyle (90% of strokes). It is therefore possible to act to prevent the occurrence of this pathology. Here are the 10 risk factors determined by lifestyle:
- History of high blood pressure
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Overweight and obesity
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor diet
- Diabetes
- Atrial fibrillation
- Excessive levels of certain lipids
- Psychosocial stress
By modifying some of these parameters when possible, the risk of a stroke can be greatly reduced. Talk to your doctor.
Stroke and CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid discovered in 1940 by Roger Adams. It is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids identified so far. It is extracted from hemp (Cannabis Sativa). Before going further, it is important to specify that cannabis represents a family of plants, we find thus:
- Cannabis Sativa, or industrial hemp whose CBD can represent up to 40 % of the extract. In France, only authorised varieties of industrial hemp with less than 0.3% THC may be grown.
- Cannabis Indica is the variety of cannabis very rich in THC, sometimes up to 30 %. It is widely trafficked for its psychotropic effects. Its cultivation and consumption are illegal.
- Cannabis Ruderalis is used in Asia for its fiber. It is poor in CBD as well as in THC.
As you can see, not all cannabis plants are the same.
CBD (cannabidiol) is a substance that occurs naturally in hemp (Cannabis Sativa). It is extracted and used in various products. In the European Union, CBD is not authorised as a food, and CBD sold to the public is not a medicine: it does not treat any disease.
The effects of CBD on the brain
Studies, mostly preclinical (on cells or animals), explore the possible effects of CBD on the brain. Their results do not allow any conclusion about stroke.
- Researchers are studying whether CBD and some terpenes found in hemp, such as eucalyptol and borneol, could influence blood flow to the brain, in particular through serotonin receptors; these hypotheses come mainly from laboratory work.
- A very small study on 9 healthy volunteers reported a lower blood pressure after a single dose of CBD (Jadoon, K. A., Tan, G. D., & O'Sullivan, S. E., 2017); this does not allow any conclusion.
- A laboratory study on neurons in culture explored a possible protective effect of cannabidiol (CBD) on damaged cells (Ryan, D., Drysdale, A. J., Lafourcade, C., Pertwee, R. G., & Platt, B., 2009).
CBD is not a medicine and does not prevent or treat stroke. Stroke prevention and recovery rely on your doctor; CBD may also interact with some medicines, such as anticoagulants.
