Epilepsy and Medical Cannabis

Seizures that happens over and over, especially 24 hours apart with no identifiable cause, are considered to be epilepsy.

Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to change in behavior, feelings, and consciousness is termed epilepsy.

Causes of epileptic seizures

Whereas mild seizures can go unnoticed, the severe ones may need proper assistance or medical aid. Some popular causes of epileptic seizures are:

• Severe head injury
• Severe fever
• Brain inflammation
• Alcohol misuse
• Lack of oxygen during birth
• Brain tumor or cysts
• Stress
• Infectious diseases such as AIDS and meningitis
• Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Genetic disorders or neurological diseases

There are two types of epileptic seizures:

Generalized

• Affects the whole brain
• Also called petit mal seizures
• Causes repetitive movements like blinking or lip-smacking

Focal

• Affects just one part of the brain
• Also called partial seizures
• Causes dizziness, tingling or twitching of limbs, change in senses

Treating Epileptic seizures with Medical Marijuana/Cannabis

Medical Marijuana is a plant that houses more than 100 beneficial chemical compounds. One compound called CBD is being widely studied for its non-euphoric chronic pain & anxiety management properties. However, the other famous compound called THC is also being extensively studied and is regulated in the 2018 farm bill as industrial hemp with less than 0.3% THC potency.

Although the response of CBD to epileptic seizures is still unknown, it is thought by researchers that CBD reacts with the human body’s endocannabinoid system, aka ECS, and helps to regulate functions of the body the ECS system is responsible for.

The neurotransmitters and receptors in the endocannabinoid system mainly regulate functions like sleep, pain, immune system response, and appetite. There are anecdotal reports that show that CBD, which does not show psychoactive effects, has been effective in reducing seizures in some people with epilepsy.

Currently, a prescription drug CBD called Epidolex, is approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to treat Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, two rare forms of epilepsy.

These medicines were approved after controlled clinical trials for epileptic seizures. Hence any treatment that has not undergone trials and contains an unregulated amount of THC can be harmful to patients.

Medical Marijuana/Cannabis can offer numerous benefits, but its conclusive benefits and responses to diseases need more research and scrutiny. However, the research had been successful in treating epileptic seizures, because of which few medicines made it to the FDA-approved list.