Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by irregular and unusual electrical activity in the sufferer’s brain and central nervous system; the resulting seizure symptoms come in many varieties and they can range from simple unusual behavior, to uncontrollable blinking, confusion spells, a high chance of loss of consciousness, uncontrollable jerking and moving of one’s arms and legs (twitching and spasming), to a high possibility of self harm (biting one’s tongue or harming one’s body by hitting something during a seizure). Further symptoms include nausea and vomiting after a seizure; depression and anxiety resulting from having to manage the ailment; insomnia and migraines; and even psychosis. There are many types of seizures and they range from mild to the more notorious grand mal seizures that can have life threatening potential.
While the cause of most cases of Epilepsy are unknown, it is possible to develop the ailment through brain damage or injury, complications at birth, brain cancer, stroke, and through alcohol and drug abuse. While seizures can be managed by a number of therapies and medications, there is currently no known cure for Epilepsy.
Using Cannabis to Treat Epilepsy
Cannabis is a complex medicinal plant that may actually be used to treat a variety of debilitating symptoms caused by a surprisingly large number of ailments. It’s usefulness as a non-lethal medicine (you cannot die from an overdose of cannabis) cannot be overstated and it’s versatility in terms of how it can be consumed and as to how it can be useful for so many illnesses is something to be excited about. However, it is important to remember that consulting with your primary care physician should be your first priority when considering incorporating cannabis into one’s medical regiment and that cannabis is to be used as an adjunct therapy and not a replacement. It is also your responsibility to communicate with your doctor as to how your use of cannabis has affected your health and of your progress with utilizing medical cannabis.
It is both exciting and important to know that medical cannabis is currently being heavily studied for a number of therapeutic effects that may treat this ailment; most noteworthy, the cannabinoid compounds Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), CBN (Cannabinol) and even THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) for their ability to manage and reduce seizures in those suffering from Epilepsy.
Overall, medical and scientific studies throughout the past several years and even decades have shown that cannabis may be quite useful for treating individuals suffering from Epilepsy for the following reasons: reducing the frequency of seizures; protecting the brain from further damage and degeneration; assisting with possible psychosis; helping to manage depression; easing possible anxiety; aiding with sleep; and providing significant pain relief.
Beneficial Cannabinoids and Terpenoids Useful for Treating Epilepsy
The cannabis plant offers a plethora of therapeutic benefits and contains cannabinoids and terpenoid compounds that are useful for treating the symptoms of Epilepsy.
The following chart denotes which cannabinoids and terpenoids work synergistically with each other for potential therapeutic benefit. It may be beneficial to seek out strains that contain these cannabinoids and terpenoids.
References
Understanding medical cannabis.Elemental Wellness Center, 2014 Jul.
Cannabis derived drug shows promise in treating type 2 diabetes.Calhoun-Rice, Sandy, et al.
Healthline News, 2013 July 23.
The impact of marijuana use on glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance among US adults.Penner, Elizabeth, et al.
The American Journal of Medicine, 2013 Jul 23, 126(7): 583-589.
The cannabinoid ?9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) ameliorates insulin sensitivity in two mouse models of obesity.Wargent, E.T., et al.
Nutrition & Diabetes, 2013 May 27, 3(5): 68.
Marijuana users have better blood sugar control.Penner, Elizabeth A, et al.
Elsevier, 2013 May 15.
Decreased prevalence of diabetes in marijuana users: cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III Rajavashisth, Tripathi, et al.
BMJ Open: Diabetes and endocrinology, 2012 Feb, 2(1).
The role of cannabis and cannabinoids in diabetes.Frisher, Martin, et al.
The British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease, 2010 Dec, 10(6): 267-273.
Cannabidiol attenuates cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell death signaling pathways in diabetic cardiomyopathy.Rajesh, Mohanraj, et al.
Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2010 Dec, 56(25): 2115-2125.
Randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial of cannabis-based medicinal product (Sativex) in painful diabetic neuropathy.Selvaraja, Dinesh, et al.
Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association website, 2010 Jan, 33(1): 128-130.
Beneficial effects of a cannabis sativa extract treatment on diabetes-induced neuropathy and oxidative stress.Comelli, Francesca, et al.
Phytotherapy Research, 2009 Dec, 23(12): 1678-1684.
Biological effects of THC and a lipophilic cannabis extract on normal and insulin resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Gallant, M, et al.
Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 2009 July 24, 16(10): 942-949.
Neuroprotective and blood-retinal barrier preserving effects of cannabidiol in experimental diabetes. El-Remessy, Azza B, et al.
The American Journal of Pathology: Cellular and Molecular Biology of Disease, 2006 Jan, 168(1): 235-244.
Cannabidiol lowers incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice.Weiss, L, et al.
Autoimmunity, 2006, 39(2): 143-151.
Cannabinoids and the immune system: potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases?Croxford, JL, et al.
Journal of Neuroimmunology, 2005 Sep, 166(1-2): 3-18.
Cannabinoids blocks tactile allodynia in diabetic mice without attenuation of its antinociceptive effect.Dogrul, A, et al.
Neuroscience Letters, 2004 Sep 16, 368(1): 82.
