Meningitis is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when there is swelling around the brain and spinal cord due to a bacterial or viral infection. It is caused by various factors, including age, medical conditions, injuries, cancer, and certain drugs. The disease progresses rapidly and can cause permanent damage, including brain damage, hearing loss, kidney failure, and limb amputations. According to the National Meningitis Association, up to 21% of sufferers are aged between 11-24 years old.
Symptoms of meningitis include nausea, vomiting, photophobia, confusion, bulging soft spots on the head in infants and abnormal reflexes. The vaccines for Meningococcal and Pneumococcal are the most significant way to prevent the disease from occurring in individuals.
Medical cannabis has been shown to be useful in fighting off bacteria that cause meningitis. A study by McMaster University Microbiologist Eric Brown and his team of researchers discovered that cannabigerol (CBG) has strong antibiotic potential that effectively targets resilient bacteria. CBG penetrates through the bacteria’s biofilm and in combination with polymyxin B (antibiotic used to treat pneumonia or urinary tract infections), CBG can tackle the increasingly antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacterial class common in wound or surgical site infections, pneumonia and meningitis.
Cannabinoids have also been proven to be effective anti-inflammatory agents. A Future Medicinal Chemistry report concluded cannabinoids due to their “novel” anti-inflammatory properties alleviated symptoms of liver disease. Cannabinoid receptors include CB1 and CB2 receptors found on immune cells that play an essential role in regulating the immune system.
In 2008, ETH Zurich and Bonn University researchers probed a component in the plant’s essential oil previously underestimated until they found it had excellent pharmacological effects. This finding opened up interesting perspectives for preventing and treating inflammations.
In conclusion, Meningitis is a severe condition with potentially fatal consequences if not treated early enough. Although vaccines remain the most significant way of preventing meningitis from occurring in individuals, medical cannabis holds promise as an option for fighting off bacteria that cause meningitis while providing relief for some symptoms like chronic pain and inflammation associated with the disease. Further research needs to be carried out on this subject so that more people can benefit from its therapeutic properties.
