Can Cannabis help Epilepsy?
A growing number of clinical trials and anecdotal reports suggest that the compounds found in cannabis can greatly decrease the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures. The adverse effects of traditional Epilepsy medications include: rash, liver damage, fatigue, anemia and birth defects (if taken while pregnant). In a study of hundreds of patients with manifestation of epilepsy with either Dravets Syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, the use of cannabis reduced motor convulsions by 32%, reduced frequency of seizures by 50%. In some cases the patients seizures stopped completely.
What is CBD?
Traditional medications for the manifestation of Epilepsy doesn’t work for about 30% of people. CBD is a great option for this group of people who can’t find relief. The active ingredients in cannabis are THC (tetrahrdocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is known for its psychoactive effects and produces a feeling of euphoria, CBD is the non-psychoactive ingredient in cannabis and is most commonly used to offer relief for ailments of the body including pain, digestive diseases, arthritis, cancer and now epilepsy.
How Does CBD in Weed Help Epilepsy?
Epileptic seizures are caused by irregular electrical discharges or the misfiring among a patient’s brain cells. This can cause extreme convulsions, loss of consciousness and altered senses in the person. Medical marijuana has over 80 chemical properties known as cannabinoids, the chemical with the anticonvulsive properties is known as CBD. CBD alters the flow of ions between neurons, creating calcium and sodium ion channels that sends messages to neurotransmitters and in doing so creates an anticonvulsive effect.
Marijuana Oil Vs Flower for Epilepsy
In treating Epilepsy, concentrates are most popular and the most effective to reduce symptoms. In transitioning between flower and concentrates there is an adjustment period as concentrates are far more potent and require different consumption equipment. In treating Epilepsy, the recommended method for consumption is oil that is 99% CBD dominant. The medical effects of CBD are only produced when there is a small amount of THC in the blend. Therefore, when treating Epilepsy with oil concentrate there will still be minimal psychoactive effects. The main reason why someone who has epilepsy would choose an oil over a flower is for the potency and immediate efficacy of the dose.
You can Also Read Cannabis Related Article here Best Cannabis Infused Beauty Products