Written by Traumatic Brain Injury Changed His Life Quickly, Cannabis Helped Bring Him Back To His Kids:
Reading and writing Jeff’s story rings a big bell in my brain. I didn’t have the same circumstances as he did but one thing is for sure, we both share the same headline in our personal stories. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) changed our lives causing severe epilepsy, and cannabis changed it back to being able to live again.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, clinical seizures -those that can be seen, will occur in approximately 15% of TBI patients. Undetected seizures or epilepsy will occur in over 20% of survivors of TBIs.
The only way to tell, of course, is the EEG or an electroencephalogram. This is a test used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain. Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical impulses and the test is used to help detect potential problems associated with this type of brain activity.
The test tracks and records brain wave patterns. Generally, doctors will order a CT or MRI as well. Computerized tomography (CT) scans can reveal abnormalities in your brain that might be causing seizures – like a tumor, clot, cyst, or deformation/injury. Many doctors prefer to use MRI – Magnetic resonance imaging, which uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a detailed view of your brain – the temporal lobes (Hippocampus) are often the target if the EEG doesn’t catch the Epilepsy.
In Jeff’s case, it didn’t take all of these fancy acronyms to figure it out – his head was hit so hard it’s a miracle he’s with us today. His condensed story is that of a survivor and warrior that refused to allow the conventional medication to stop his healing process. Instead, he learned about the Endocannabinoid system and how it works on the brain.
Jeffrey’s Story:
“The reason I use marijuana is I need to stop seizing. In 2011 I suffered a severe brain injury from an accident that caused roughly 2800 pounds of blunt force trauma to the back of my skull. I now suffer from epilepsy. I first tried the mess the doctors wanted and the end result is I also now have severe memory loss and Todds Paralysis” (Todd’s paresis, or paralysis, or palsy (or postictal paresis meaning “after seizure”) is focal weakness in a part of the body after a seizure.
This weakness typically affects the face or arms/legs and often is one side of the body. It usually will be temporary, completely gone within 48 hours. But with Epilepsy it can last for weeks or longer due to continual nonconvulsive seizures)
“My best friend convinced me that I should try cannabis and I went from 20 plus seizures a day to only about one or two a month. CBD has given me my life back and given me the chance to be a daddy to my two girls. I just wish I didn’t have to hide to medicate and save my own life I can tell you this, cannabis saves lives.
I can enjoy life again. I use tinctures 3 times a day made from the strain ‘Remedy’. As well, I use it in flower form for smoking during the day and I dab a strain called ‘Mickey Kush’ which is a one to one ratio.
(50/50 THC/CBD). As for prohibition. It’s unconstitutional in my eyes because so many can benefit from cannabis. I feel it should be legal in all states for medical reasons. I shouldn’t feel like a criminal for trying to live to provide and be a part of my family.”
“Thankfully that close friend was able to make this happen for me. Growing or processing any type of natural medicine in some states is almost impossible. If it weren’t for that person who was willing to help, where would I be?
If I could give any advice to someone thinking if cannabis is right for them, is what can it hurt? Pharmaceuticals were worth trying, so why not try something all-natural when all you can gain is your life back! Thanks again Mike for allowing people to tell their story.”
What an awesome account of cannabis success – a father allowed to be a dad again thanks to Cannabis. He doesn’t use quite the same protocol I use for Epilepsy but very close. I also dab, vape, and use flowers. I also use an oil – somewhat like a tincture. Everyone is different and we all will learn what we need by trial and error. It’s great to have people like Jeff come forward as I know so few adults that have overcome the grips of life-threatening seizures using Cannabis.
There’s plenty of parents researching and talking it up about Cannabinoids like CBD and THC – but I find that in the social media groups for adults with Epilepsy it’s not as mainstream, not even close. So, thank you for sharing Jeff – it’s so awesome to see success like this. It’s also awesome to know you’re not alone. Jeffrey is fighting a very dangerous disability and having to hide the fact he’s using nature instead of what we know causes cancer and so much more ugly stuff – pharmaceuticals.
Mike Robinson, Medicinal Cannabis Patient
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