Every Brain Matters

Every Brain Matters is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the challenges surrounding the normalization of marijuana.

Through education, advocacy, and community, we aim to ensure no one walks this path alone. Join us as we work together to make informed choices and foster understanding, because Every Brain Truly Matters!

Schedule a presentation to learn more about marijuana and how to support a loved one affected by it.

*The words marijuana and cannabis are being used interchangeably on this website.

Our Latest Newsletter

TRUTH

We are a trusted educational resource driven by science and real-life experiences.

HOPE

We offer family support resources, including support meetings, to assist in preventing, managing, or recovering from a loved one’s harmful cannabis use.

CHANGE

We advocate to protect communities from the predatory practices of the cannabis industry, the cessation of harmful drug policies, and support for drug prevention and recovery initiatives.

Contact us at info@everybrainmatters.org to set up a presentation with Bryn to raise awareness of cannabis-induced psychosis.

One evening in Thousand Oaks, California, life took a devastating turn for Bryn shortly after she began her career as a Doctor of Audiology at UCLA. Bryn experimented with cannabis legally, unaware of the potential risks or dangers. Unbeknownst to her, she was pressured into taking a ‘large dose’ of highly potent THC, which triggered a rapid descent into severe psychosis. In her altered state, her perception of reality became dangerously distorted, and intense hallucinations drove her actions unconsciously.

In a psychotic state, Bryn experienced a loss of touch with reality and overwhelming fear, which led to harm being inflicted upon them both. When the police arrived, Bryn was unable to comprehend or follow their commands, as she was responding only to the voices in her head and experiencing hallucinations.

The court later ruled the incident as involuntary manslaughter, acknowledging that cannabis-induced psychosis (CIP) was the only cause of this heartbreaking event.

This tragic story highlights the often-overlooked dangers of cannabis use, especially with high-potency THC, and how a single encounter with cannabis can lead to catastrophic consequences. Had either Chad or Bryn been aware of the potential risks of CIP, this tragedy might have been prevented.

This story serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for increased awareness and education about the harms associated with cannabis use.

Every Brain Matters extends its heartfelt sympathies to the friends and family of Chad O’Melia and Bryn Spejcher.

Learn about:

The poster below serves as a comprehensive resource detailing both the short-term and long-term effects of THC on the body. THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive component found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant. To access more information, please hover over the informational icons located in the white boxes. For further inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at info@everybrainmatters.org.

We Need YOUR STORIES!

This project, “Voices of Marijuana’s Harms,” offers a platform for you to share your stories. Whether it involves your child, spouse, parent, family member, or friend, we encourage you to speak out and highlight the human costs associated with marijuana legalization.

This crucial information corrects the misleading narratives spread by the marijuana industry. The images below offer access to stories and memorials.

Hope

As marijuana use becomes more common, families are suffering. We offer resources for family recovery, including meetings, to help manage or recover from a loved one’s cannabis use.

Change

We advocate for the protection of families and communities against the predatory practices of the cannabis industry and aim to combat the expanding drug crisis.

Every Brain Matters is proud to partner with the Parent Action Network.

Truth

We are a trusted educational resource driven by science and lived experience.

All proceeds support drug prevention because Every Brain Matters. Visit our store.