About recovery, neuroplasticity and quality of life

Acquired brain injury (ABI) often turns the lives of people and their loved ones completely upside down in an instant. While life before the injury was self-evident, everything changes afterward: thinking, feeling, movement, sensory processing, and even a person's personality can change dramatically. Yet, in practice, recovery and improvement often extend further than was long assumed.

In this blog post, we'll explain what NAH is exactly, what symptoms are common, how conventional treatment is used, and what role Full Spectrum CBDa and CBGa oil can play as a supportive supplement. We'll also share some practical examples that demonstrate the benefits this can have in everyday life.

What do we mean by Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain that occurs after birth . It can happen to anyone, regardless of age or health.

NAH can be caused by, among other things:

• A traffic accident or other accident

• A fall or blow to the head

• Traumatic brain injury

• Stroke

• Stroke (CVA)

• Oxygen deficiency (for example during resuscitation or drowning)

• Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis

• A brain tumor or surgical intervention on the brain

• Epileptic status

• Progressive brain diseases such as Alzheimer's

The consequences vary greatly from person to person and depend on where and how severe the brain injury is.

Common complaints of NAH

People with ABI often experience a combination of symptoms, which are not always visible to the outside world. Common symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue

• Overstimulation (sound, light, crowds)

• Concentration and memory problems

• Delayed information processing

• Behavioral and personality changes

• Emotional dysregulation

• Anxiety or sadness

• Epileptic seizures

• Sleep problems

• Problems with intimacy and sexuality

It is precisely these invisible consequences that make NAH so drastic, both for the person themselves and for partners and family.

Regular rehabilitation: “does it stop after six months”?

Many rehabilitation centers still assume that if function doesn't return within six months, further improvement is unlikely. The focus is then primarily on learning to cope with limitations , rather than on further recovery.

While rehabilitation is essential, experience shows that this approach is too limited. Many people actually experience improvement after a longer period of time , provided the body and nervous system are properly supported.

Medication and epilepsy in ABI

In the case of NAH, medication is often used, for example:

• Antiepileptics

• Muscle tensioners

• Antidepressants

• Sleeping medication

In practice, however, we regularly see that people continue to have epileptic seizures despite medication or continue to suffer from side effects such as extreme fatigue, cognitive decline or emotional flattening.

This is where the search for additional, supportive options often begins.

Neuroplasticity: the brain continues to learn

An important and promising concept is neuroplasticity . This is the brain's ability to adapt, create new connections, and (partially) take over functions, even later in life.

Neuroplasticity means:

• Recovery is not a fixed end point

• The brain continues to respond to stimuli, training and support

• Improvements can occur even after years

The condition is that the nervous system receives sufficient rest, nutrition and support .

The role of full spectrum CBDa and CBGa oil

Full spectrum CBDa and CBGa oil contain, in addition to cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids that work together in the so-called entourage effect .

Within this framework, we see support at various levels in practice:

• Regulation of the nervous system

• Support for stimulus processing

• Promotion of relaxation and sleep

• Support for epileptic activity

• Contribution to neuroprotective processes

• Improved focus, clarity and presence

CBDa and CBGa do not have a sedative effect, but can actually help bring the system back to balance.

Practical examples

Young woman (20+) with NAH and epilepsy after a traffic accident

After a serious car accident, a young woman becomes multiply disabled. She is wheelchair-bound and requires 24-hour care. She also suffers from epileptic seizures despite taking medication, including cenobamate.

It starts with:

• Carlotta 10% CBDa during the day

• CBGa 5% for the night

Nights become almost immediately more peaceful, with better sleep and no seizures. Carlotta proves insufficiently effective during the day, so the patient is switched to CBGa 5% during the day as well.

This turns out to be a turning point: more calm in the nervous system and fewer attacks, in addition to regular medication .

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Young man (early 20s) after brain hemorrhage and life-saving surgery

After a brain hemorrhage, a young man in his early twenties undergoes life-saving surgery, temporarily removing part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain. However, after the recovery and replacement of the bone flap, epileptic seizures develop, occurring at the most unexpected moments . This brings not only physical risks but also constant tension and uncertainty in daily life.

A multidisciplinary approach is chosen, aimed at calming and supporting the nervous system:

• Use of supportive supplements including Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E

• Supporting the brain-gut axis by adjusting diet, because inflammatory processes and stimulus processing are closely linked (sugars and gluten are strongly minimized)

• Use of various CBDa and CBGa oils and pastes to support and protect the nervous system

Because the seizures continue to occur unpredictably, it is decided to use Brivaracetam (Brivact) at a very low dose . This is not to suppress the nervous system, but to create additional stability. Combined with CBGa, this proves to be crucial.

CBGa is used for its neuroprotective properties and its ability to support the nervous system in processing stimuli. It helps not to overload the system, but rather to better regulate it and optimize the available resources of the brain and nervous system. This combination leads to more calm, less escalation of stimuli, and a better balance between exertion and recovery.

If an epileptic seizure threatens to break out, CBGa paste 34.76% is used. By repeatedly administering half a grain of rice orally, the seizure is often stopped almost immediately . The body visibly relaxes, and the seizure does not fully proceed.

This carefully coordinated combination of low-dose medication , nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted support with CBGa gives this young man the space to live again, rather than just survive . The result is greater stability, less fear of unexpected attacks, and a significant improvement in his quality of life.

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Man (60+) with Alzheimer's

When he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, the man seemed increasingly distant. Conversations became difficult, and contact was limited.

It starts with:

• Carlotta 10% CBDa oil , 1 drop 3 times a day, gradually increase dosage

Already after the first day, there is a striking feedback:

“While cycling through the forest, I heard the birds singing again and smelled the scents again.”

The man is clearly more present, makes better contact, and participates more actively in conversations. He continues to benefit from this support for years. When the oil runs out, a relapse quickly occurs – which disappears again once the CBDa is resumed.

Although Alzheimer's continues to progress, he experiences an increased quality of life for years to come .

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Woman (60+) with NAH after undiagnosed meningitis

After years of vague complaints, it eventually turns out she's suffering from neglected meningitis. She loses her job and struggles with:

• Severe fatigue

• Overstimulation

• Brain fog

With CBGa/CBDa 10% she experiences more clarity in her head, less brain fog and therefore more energy and resilience in daily life.

Finally

Acquired brain injury is complex and affects all aspects of life. Yet, these practical examples demonstrate that, in addition to conventional care, there is room for support that looks beyond limitations .

By supporting the nervous system, bringing calm and allowing neuroplasticity to develop, CBDa and CBGa oil can contribute to:

• More stability

• Fewer stimuli

• Fewer attacks

• More presence

• More quality of life

Not as a replacement for medical care, but as additional support , tailored to the person behind the injury.