Marijuana

The plant species Cannabis, better known as "Marijuana," originated in the Himalayas specifically, in the region of Tibet. The locals used the plant for many purposes and eventually, seeds found their way to parts of India and Afghanistan. Today, Marijuana is well-known all over the world for its psychoactive properties and, more importantly, its medical benefits.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids refer to substances naturally found in Marijuana that act on cells in the body producing some kind of effect. There are two types of Cannabinoids: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabidiol (CBD) has been studied extensively and the results bode well for anyone dealing with seizures and/or epilepsy. There is a very strong evidence that CBD has been shown to be highly effective in helping manage children or adults dealing with seizures and/or epilepsy.

Epilepsy and CBD

Epilepsy, sometimes known as "seizure disorders," is a condition that affects people of all ages. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, and essentially causes unpredictable seizures that can vary from person to person depending on their age, or the seriousness of their condition. Use of Medical Marijuana in this field can be traced back to Europe in the 19th century. Sir William Gowers began to treat patients with Cannabis as a "healthier alternative" to Bromide, which was a common anticonvulsant at the time. CBD made its way to the United States but due to the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 Cannabis became illegal to use, even medically. So, well science was making huge improvements in understanding Marijuana and discovering more and more secrets to unlocking its potential, the general view of the public turned negative. Society began to see Marijuana as a problem, a troublemaker, and they unwittingly hindered the progression of modern medicine.

Up until recent years, Medical Marijuana was kept in the dark hidden behind political agenda, and social stigma. Now, due to a recent change in legislation, Medical Marijuana is making a comeback in a big and important way. But, why? And does it work?

So, Why Use Medical Marijuana?

Many people may be skeptical about Marijuana at first. The social stigma against the herb has been astronomical in the past 50 years, from "The War on Drugs" to the anti-war "Hippies" and "Potheads," there has generally been a negative association to the drug. The aim of this article is to show you, the reader, the medical benefits as well as risks associated with medical marijuana.

Other Medications and Their Side Effects.

Brivaracetam is a common drug prescribed to people prone to seizures. It is largely effective but includes nasty side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. 

Carbamazepine is another common medication prescribed to treat epilepsy. It, too, has a nasty list of side effects including fatigue, vision changes, nausea, dizziness, and rash. Other side effects commonly found in seizure medication are depression, anger, and suicidal thoughts or tendencies.

Not only do these medications have negative side effects, but they also fail about one-third of their users; sometimes, they don't even work!

Does CBD Oil Have Side effects?

The answer to this question essentially is no. While smoking marijuana in its herb form can cause drowsiness, euphoria, and occasionally mild paranoia, the CBD Oil extract used to treat epilepsy does not have any of these effects.

So, Does CBD Work?

The oil has a calming effect which is why it is also being used to treat many anxiety disorders. In one case, a girl named Charlotte Figi was suffering 300 grand mal seizures a week. All existing epilepsy medication had failed her resulting in the loss of most of her motor skills. After using CBD treatment, her seizures have been reduced to roughly three a month, and her parents say she is in full recovery. A medical study published in The New England Journal of Medicine confirmed what researchers have been claiming for years. Non-psychoactive components in Marijuana (CBD) significantly reduce seizures. The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled experiment, which is the most scientifically rigorous study that can be done. Researchers stated that "This study clearly establishes cannabidiol (CBD) as an effective anti-seizure drug for this disorder." The study was sparked due to the hundreds of anecdotal scenarios, Charlotte Figi being the most common story (she even has a procedure named after her: "Charlotte's Web"), that told of CBD dramatically reducing seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

If you or someone you know has epilepsy, CBD oil might be the medication you've been looking for. Like other medications, there is no 100% guarantee that it will help your seizures, but the research seems to indicate you'd have a pretty good shot. 

For more information about CBD oil for seizures, click here!