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C-B-D Speech Disorders
Can medical marijuana or C-B-D help speech disorders? When I began researching and writing about cannabis as an evidence-based therapy for cancer patients, I began coming across articles about cannabis and speech disorders. I had heard anecdotal stories about people with speech problems being helped by smoking marijuana so I thought I should study about the issue and write a blog post about what I found on PeopleBeatingCancer.org.
Medical marijuana, which contains various active compounds called cannabinoids, has been investigated for its potential therapeutic effects on a range of medical conditions, including speech disorders. However, it’s important to note that research in this area is still in its early stages, and there’s much we don’t yet know.
That being said, some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that medical marijuana may have both positive and negative effects on speech disorders:
Positive Effects:
- Muscle Relaxation: Some cannabinoids, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), have muscle relaxant properties. For individuals with speech disorders caused by muscle tension or spasticity, medical marijuana might provide relief.
- Pain Relief: If a speech disorder is related to pain or discomfort, medical marijuana’s analgesic (pain-relieving) properties may be beneficial.
- Anxiety Reduction: Certain cannabinoids, like CBD (cannabidiol), are known for their anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects. This might be helpful for individuals whose speech disorders are exacerbated by anxiety.
Negative Effects:
- Cognitive Impairment: Marijuana, especially strains high in THC, can impair cognitive function, including speech and language skills. This could be detrimental for individuals with speech disorders who rely heavily on cognitive processing for communication.
- Short-term Memory Impairment: Some cannabinoids can affect short-term memory, which may hinder the ability to remember words or phrases needed for effective communication.
- Potential for Dependency and Addiction: Like any medication, there’s a risk of dependency or addiction with long-term use of medical marijuana.
- Potential for Side Effects: Medical marijuana can have side effects, including dry mouth, increased heart rate, dizziness, and in some cases, psychosis.
- Legal and Regulatory Issues: The legality of medical marijuana varies widely by location, and it’s important to consider the legal and regulatory aspects before using it as a treatment.
It’s important to stress that before using medical marijuana for a speech disorder, one should consult with a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about its potential benefits and risks. They can provide personalized advice based on the individual’s specific condition, medical history, and local laws.
There is limited scientific research on the use of cannabis for speech disorders, so it’s important to approach this topic with caution. While some anecdotal reports suggest that cannabis may help with certain aspects of speech disorders, there is not enough rigorous scientific evidence to make definitive conclusions.
I choose to research and write about C-B-D and speech disorders because the two issues both involve cannabis as a medical therapy.
David Emerson
- Cancer Survivor
- Cancer Coach
- Director PeopleBeatingCancer
How Medical Marijuana Helps Speech Disorders
“A speech disorder makes it difficult to properly form words and sounds. Some patients have a speech disorder that originated on its own, and others have one caused by an underlying condition.
Regardless of the cause behind someone’s speech disorder, it can make everyday communication much harder. People who have a difficult time speaking often have to go through speech therapy or learn an alternate form of communication altogether.
Besides developing strategies to make communication easier, some patients take medicine. But, some medicine used to treat speech disorders can have harmful side effects or potential for addiction. When used correctly, MMJ can be a natural substitute that can work even better than standard meds.
Types of Speech Disorders
There are four categories of speech disorders that have different symptoms and causes:
- Apraxia prevents your mouth from moving to say words correctly, even though your brain processes them right. It happens when the areas of your brain related to muscle movement get damaged by conditions like dementia, head trauma and stroke.
- Dysarthria impairs your speech-related muscles’ movement, making it harder to understand you. It’s caused by brain damage from health conditions like Huntingdon’s disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
- Stuttering causes disfluencies, or disruptions in the sounds you make when you talk. One of the more severe disorders that causes stuttering is cerebral palsy.
- Voice disorders are often called “losing your voice.” Your voice becomes hoarse or goes away completely due to strain on your vocal muscles.
What Do We Know About Speech Disorders and Medical Marijuana?
Since marijuana is a Schedule I drug under federal law, it’s considered an illegal substance. This makes it much harder for scientists to conduct studies. While researchers have managed to complete some research on MMJ, they haven’t gotten to studying how it affects speech yet.
But, we do have some anecdotal evidence about MMJ’s benefits for speech disorders. For instance, in the documentary In Pot We Trust, a woman details how MMJ helped her with her speech issues.
What Are the Effects of Medical Marijuana on Speech Disorders?
As we discussed earlier, all sorts of conditions cause speech problems. So, the effectiveness of medical marijuana depends on the underlying cause of your speech disorder.
Another factor to consider is that marijuana has different effects on every person. Your reaction to MMJ will differ from another patient’s. So, even if you know somebody with the same health problems who benefits from MMJ, it might not help you the way it does for them.
Keeping those things in mind, certain varieties of marijuana can ease speech disorders more effectively than others. Blackwater and Diablo strains relieve muscle spasms and relax the body, which can help if your speech disorder is related to muscle strain. There’s also evidence that low to moderate doses of cannabis can help cognitive function, possibly relieving speech disorders originating in the brain.
Before you try out MMJ treatment, consult with a doctor or a budtender. Only a certified professional who understands your symptoms can truly judge how medical marijuana will work for you.