Life After An Aneurysm: A Veriheal Patient Testimonial

When Abdulai Mansaray started using cannabis, he was just 10 years old. At first, it was only for fun and recreational purposes — but it later developed into something necessary to his wellbeing.

Mansaray suffered from a brain aneurysm when he was 18, leading to drastic life changes and impacts on his mental health. He already struggled with depression and anxiety, but it significantly worsened after this event, affecting both his overall quality of life and happiness.

Fortunately, he was able to find relief through a special plant: cannabis.

Understanding Brain Aneurysms and Cannabis

Brain aneurysms are caused by blood vessels in the brain that bulge or eventually rupture (also known as hemorrhagic stroke), leading to internal bleeding and various complications. In the worst cases, they can end in death or create serious health problems like brain damage, chronic headaches, and other permanent mental and physical disabilities.

There are many causes of aneurysms, ranging from genetics to head trauma to substance use to high blood pressure. Sometimes, no real cause is identified at all, leaving the patient to have to make lifestyle changes through a cloud of uncertainty.

So, how does cannabis factor into this? Some preliminary studies have found that cannabis, particularly when smoked or eaten, can increase the risks of brain bleeding, but researchers agree that more studies are going to be necessary to confirm this. It’s also fairly well-known among health practitioners that cannabis can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues in people who may be predisposed to it, but other studies indicate that it can actually help lower blood pressure. In a nutshell, how cannabis impacts your heart health and blood vessels can vary widely based on a number of personal factors — and much of these impacts are still unknown.

In Mansaray’s case, cannabis use in recovery is worth any potential risks. After all, what good is it to live a long life if you’re deeply unhappy while doing so? He struggled with finding joy after his aneurysm, writing, “Prior to my brain aneurysm, I suffered from mild symptoms of anxiety and depression…after my brain injury, they greatly magnified. At times, I even get suicidal thoughts, but after I smoke some weed, those thoughts go away.”

Using Cannabis in Recovery

To treat his depression and anxiety, Abdulai prefers to smoke. He uses about an eighth of cannabis daily, choosing blunts and joints as his go-to method of consumption. Unfortunately, Abdulai often has to use the illicit market for sourcing, but when he can get it, he likes the Blue Dream and Gorilla Glue strains.

“Everybody in the world acts strange around me, everyone changes, but marijuana is the one thing that never lets me down,” Abdulai said. 

He’s now 29 years old, and cannabis has greatly enhanced his quality of life in the 11 years since his aneurysm. He was able to rediscover his passion for his hobbies, often writing poems or singing after smoking.

One poem was dedicated to cannabis, showing his clear love for the plant and the ways it enhanced his life. He shared it with us in a candid moment:

Come close, Mary

My heart bleeds for your purity

Come close, Mary

I’m in desperate need of your obscurity

There’s a cure in you that others don’t see, but I do

Come close, Mary I don’t fear you

Your soul is green but your eyes are clear blue

Come close, Mary

Your side effect is a high but I cheer when I’m on top of you

Your love is unstoppable

Come close, Mary

Your sister Nicki is jealous

Strong feelings for you I have indeed developed

I have a strong fetish for your medicinal values

I can’t imagine my life without you

Come close, Mary

Others are timid towards you because of your arcane nature

You bestow a favor upon me, the favor of sanity

You give me my humanity

You wouldn’t hurt a fly, I know I’m not the perfect guy

But for you, I’ll certainly try

Sometimes I wanna curl up and die

You don’t cause me pain, but this world does but why?

Come close, Mary. Come close, Mary. Come close, Mary

After experiencing its benefits in his personal life, Mansaray became a strong advocate for the plant’s medicinal benefits. “Marijuana makes me more coherent and aware. It helps both my physical and mental [health]…there’s a stigma behind cannabis that deludes many. It’s a very helpful drug, but many people don’t see that. Don’t frown upon it or shun it until you try it.”

Fortunately, Mansaray’s healthcare practitioners are on his side. “[They are] mainly concerned about my mental health and health overall,” he stated, highlighting the changing views of cannabis within the medical industry. And, since he hasn’t had any other aneurysms or similar events since his initial episode over a decade ago, it seems that cannabis is positively working for him.

Looking to the Future 

Mansaray’s story means a lot to us here at Veriheal, as many of us have experienced firsthand the ways that cannabis can help with mental health issues like depression. Thanks to marijuana, Abdulai has been able to reclaim his happiness and find joy in creation again — and we hope he continues to do so throughout his life.

Note: Cannabis is not typically recommended as a treatment for aneurysms. Consult with your doctor before adding it to your wellness routine to ensure that it’s safe for you.