Bell’s palsy and Cannabis – Opening Doors to Nature’s Wondrous Gift

Characterized by a prompt onset of paralysis in the facial region, Bell’s palsy is a known medical condition that affects up to forty thousand individuals every year in the USA. Some other names for Bell’s palsy around the globe are; facial nerve palsy, idiopathic facial palsy, facial paralysis, and Antoni’s palsy. It affects individuals regardless of gender with a greater probability of developing symptoms in pregnant women.

The exact causes of the condition are still being subjected to continuous studies. Bell’s palsy and cannabis plant make an effective fit as symptoms of the former and the huge array of potential health benefits of the latter perfectly coincide.

Cannabis plants can closely interact with the endocannabinoid system of the body. A series of robust interactions helps the body seek relief from inflammation, pain, and degeneration of nerve cells. Anti-microbial properties further extend the aid to fight off viruses. Helping the body improve neural health, various components of the cannabis plant elevate the body’s immune response to the symptoms of Bell’s palsy. Following is a brief account of various aspects of Bell’s palsy and the Cannabis plant’s effects in this regard.

Bell’s Palsy: Defined And Precisely Explained

Bell’s palsy is a relatively lesser-known medical condition characterized by inflammation of the 7^th cranial nerve that causes pressure on the fallopian canal of the skull. It further leads to stiffening and paralysis of various parts of the face, including the eye and jaw. It generally affects one side of the face. Studies suggest that this paralysis happens due to a lack of oxygen and blood supply to the nerve cells in this region. It causes one side of the face to droop downwards, and the symptoms are generally temporary. [1]

Signs and Symptoms Of Bell’s Palsy

What do you feel while having Bell’s palsy? Well, the commencement of respective signs and symptoms is quite different from that of most other medical conditions. Everything happens suddenly, and there’s not much you could do about it. Almost everything is fine one day in the morning, and then a few hours later, you may begin to experience the symptoms. Generally, symptoms start getting bad and keep on getting worse for up to three days.

The patients repetitively report extreme levels of weakness. Also, drooping of one side of the face is a common symptom that makes the condition distinctly related to Bell’s palsy. You might as well face issues while attempting to close your eye on that particular side. Things as trivial as smiling might seem to be hard for you.

The said condition is characterized by the following symptoms:

• You may find yourself drooling.
• Another distinct symptom is feeling pain in the back of the ear and jaw on one particular side. Interestingly, sometimes this pain starts before the arrival of other symptoms, which makes this an indicative symptom.
• Slight or severe headache.
• Weaker taste buds lead to a weaker ability to taste food.
• Difficulty in talking to people.
• Phonophobia; you may get hypersensitive to sounds as minimal as someone’s sound while talking to you.
• Tinnitus refers to a condition where the patient hears a typical ringing sound in the ears.
• A weak or paralyzed jaw might end up in difficulty while eating or drinking something.

Causes of Bell’s Palsy

The causes of Bell’s palsy all come down to nerve damage due to several factors. You generally go through the symptoms in case your seventh cranial nerve gets swollen or compressed. This is a facial nerve lying in a region within the bony area of the skull. The region is typically too narrow for a “swollen nerve” which is the root cause behind all other symptoms of the said condition.

Even the slightest swelling in this nerve may lead to severe symptoms like weakness in the facial region or even paralysis in certain cases. A large number of cases arise as a result of the herpes simplex 1 virus.

Following is a comprehensive list of the viruses that may contribute to the development of Bell’s palsy:

1. Cytomegalovirus
2. Adenovirus, which is also responsible for adverse respiratory conditions
3. Epstein-Barr
4. Mumps
5. Coxsackievirus, the “hand foot mouth disease”
6. Herpes zoster is responsible for the development of conditions like chickenpox
7. Influenza
8. Rubella
9. HIV typically attacks and weakens the immune system of the body.
10. Herpes simplex, characterized by effects including genital herpes and cold sores
11. Sarcoidosis, known for its inflammatory effects on the organs

Being sick or under extensive amounts of stress or pressure may strongly act as triggers to develop a sudden condition of Bell’s palsy. Also, if you’re not getting enough sleep or have a weak immune system, it might serve as a potential trigger. All these factors might ultimately cause inflammation of cranial nerves exerting pressure on the fallopian canal.

Risk Factors:

Certain conditions contribute to the elevation of your risk of developing the said condition. Following is an account of all the risk factors for Bell’s palsy:

1. Having a family history of Bell’s palsy makes you even more vulnerable to developing the condition. Studies bring forth that some hereditary factors may also contribute as a risk factor. Such people have a genetic makeup that exposes them to a greater threat of falling prey to Bell’s palsy. [2]
2. Pregnant women are advised to take good care of their immune systems and treat viral infections effectively. This is because pregnancy is another potential risk factor for Bell’s palsy.
3. Having diabetes and lung infections also act as risk factors.

Bell’s Palsy and Cannabis: How Can Cannabis Help Bell’s Palsy Patients?

The cannabis plant is known for its miraculous healing abilities. All thanks to hundreds of wondrous chemical components present in the said plant. More than 100 cannabinoids and several terpenes work together in beautiful harmonious coordination to produce entourage effect.

Although researchers lack formal research on cannabis as the treatment of Bell’s palsy, it may help the patients deal with it in several ways. Here’s how the healing effects of cannabis can facilitate your body to fight off symptoms of Bell’s Palsy.

1. Facilitates the protects the nerves

Bell’s palsy arises when the cranial nerve gets swollen. Researchers find the links between Bell’s palsy and cannabis through the neuroprotective potential of the cannabis plants. The Cannabinoids and terpenes present in the cannabis plant ensure better nervous health. They work together and interact with the endocannabinoid system to ensure frequent regeneration of the nerve cells. This helps reduce the intensity of symptoms of Bell’s palsy and further eliminates the risks to a great extent.

2. Helps manage inflammation

Inflammation is the prime cause of the symptoms of Bell’s palsy. At the same time, the cannabis plant proves to be wondrous in regards to relieving inflammation in various parts of the body, including the nervous system. THC and CBD are the strongest cannabinoids of the cannabis plant in this regard. With this ability, it incapacitates the effects of various viruses. [3] 

3. Relief From Pain And Headaches

Cannabis plants have been in use to get relief from headaches for centuries now. [4] Bell’s palsy is typically characterized by pain in different regions, including the head, jaw, and back of the ear. Cannabis is a good fit in this regard as it helps your body manage pain and also reduces pain signals on a timely basis. [5]

Recent Research on Cannabis and Bell’s Palsy

Analyzing various aspects of the cannabis and marijuana plant, experts suggest a few of the best strains used for the symptoms of Bell’s palsy. You can go on with a hit and trial method to pinpoint the best one for yourself.

• Pennywise
• Purple Kush
• Blue Dream
• Harlequin
• Cannatonic
• Super Sour Diesel

There’s a lot to explore and study about the miraculous abilities of the cannabis plant. With every experiment experts perform, new facets of its wonder are revealed. Well, experts have a lot to say about Bell’s palsy and cannabis; here’s a sneak peek at a few of the recent analytical studies:

• CBD and THC are the most abundant cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, known for their marvelous capacities to regulate body functions. A recent study suggests that CBD and THC can extensively improve the body’s response to nerve damage. They help the body regenerate nerve cells to improve nerve health.[6]
• Another study from 2016 brings forth impressive facts regarding the anti-inflammatory potentials of the cannabis plant that can prove to be substantially helpful for the symptoms of Bell’s palsy. [7]

Final Thoughts:

Several people fall prey to Bell’s palsy and cannabis plant extracts are being used to enhance the body’s defense mechanisms against inflammation and neural damage. Experts suggest that if used well, the cannabis plant may induce certain effects into the body that can relieve discomforts caused by the said condition.

Literary Sources:

1. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Bells-Palsy-Information-Page
2. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/bells-palsy/
3. https://www.nature.com/articles/npjamd201612
4. http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1931753
5. http://files.iowamedicalmarijuana.org/science/migraine/Russo
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16969427/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/