Cannabis has been shown to help people who are suffering from many different types of physical and mental issues. Now researchers at two Colorado-based organizations are preparing to embark on the first U.S. clinical study to determine the impact of supplements containing cannabinoids derived from hemp on people who have suffered brain injuries. They will also look at whether patients who use hemp-derived supplements on a regular basis show signs of addiction, dependence and psychological withdrawal.

The study is being conducted by the Flowering Hope Foundation in Boulder and Clover Leaf University (CLU) in Denver. It’s being sponsored by Real Time Diagnostics Ventures. Researchers will measure patients’ improvement in areas like sleep quality, stress and general well-being. They’ll also look at the potential cognitive benefits and changes in neuronal activity in the brain.

The president and founder of CLU says that the evidence that cannabinoids have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects leads them to believe that phytocannabinoids can help people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Phytocannabinoids are found in cannabis plants.

Researchers are still recruiting people between 18 and 55 years old for the study. It’s expected to last for a year.

Here in Colorado, it’s now relatively easy for adults to find and use cannabis products, whether purely for recreational purposes or to ease all types of pain. However, if you plan to use cannabis to help with a specific medical condition — certainly something as serious as a brain injury — it’s wise to talk to your doctor first rather than experiment with self-medication.

If you’ve suffered a TBI due to someone else’s actions or negligence, find out what your legal options are for seeking the compensation you need for medical care (both short-term and long-term), therapy, lost income and more.