In the past decade, researchers, doctors, and scientist have found numerous health benefits especially with the breakthrough that Marijuana helps treat Epilepsy and Seizures. And with this information now out in the open people’s lives are changing!
A plant that is still considered a schedule 1 narcotic drug, is now slowly coming out into the open to help cure those in need. Medical Marijuana has been researched and studied to aid in curing medical conditions such as Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Glaucoma, and Epilepsy.
In this article, we will focus on how Marijuana helps treat Epilepsy, a neurological condition that includes Seizures. We will discuss what Epilepsy is, give a short history on the subject and find out how marijuana can treat Epilepsy.
One of today’s medical breakthroughs
In the United States, more than 2.3 million Americans live with Epilepsy every day. Over half of these patients experience uncontrollable Seizures that can make daily tasks such as driving, cooking and even caring for their children almost impossible to do. The quality of life for patients with Epilepsy can come to a low point, and can often lead to an increase in anxiety and in worst-case scenario’s, depression.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy affects people of all ages and is the fourth most common neurologic disorder.
Epilepsy is a series of recurrent seizure that is caused by abnormal electrical charges in a person’s brain cells. A misfiring of these electrical charges causes convulsions in the body, an alteration in the senses and even a loss of consciousness in a person.
The cause of Epilepsy is still unknown, but researchers find that early stages of Epilepsy is triggered by hormonal imbalances in the body, head trauma, and some viruses.
The medical treatment for epilepsy, before marijuana was available as an alternative, involved antiepileptic drugs, which in study showed some severe long-term effect to the individual. A person under antiepileptic drugs usually experiences withdrawal and a decrease in cognitive function. Treatment for Epilepsy also involves brain surgery and electrical stimulation devices. These methods are shown not to be as safe as Marijuana but are still being used to date.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana, commonly medically referred to as Cannabis, is a mood altering psychoactive drug that affects almost every organ in the body. Its main medical ingredients include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBD (cannabidiol).
THC is what provides users with a euphoric high sensation after it is introduced to their system.
CBD is not psychoactive but is studied to inhibit anti-cancer and anti-psychotic effects, it is also said to be the main therapeutic substance of Marijuana.
How can Marijuana help treat Epilepsy?
In history, before Marijuana was introduced as a scheduled one illegal drug in 1937, Marijuana tinctures were given for a variety of medical conditions including Epilepsy and Seizures. In fact, the anticonvulsant properties of Marijuana may be one of its oldest medical benefits.
The primary cannabinoids in Cannabis, THC and CBD, give out anticonvulsant effects to epileptic patients.
Cannabinoids from Marijuana can decrease Seizures by triggering the activation of CB1 receptors in the brain. These receptors can be found in the memory related areas of the brain and also within the nervous system.
Another study conducted by a group of researchers in Poland showed that a synthetic form of THC called WIN 55,212-2, resulted in a decrease of Seizures when this was used as a supplement to the patient’s anti-seizure medication.
Testimonials from Patients and Doctors:
Donald Gross, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Alberta
Twenty-one percent of subjects had used Marijuana in the past year with the majority of active users reporting beneficial effects on Seizures. Twenty-four percent of all subjects believed Marijuana was an effective therapy for epilepsy.
Despite limited evidence of efficacy, many patients with Epilepsy believe Marijuana is an effective therapy for Epilepsy and are actively using it.
Dr. Orrin Devinsky at New York University is leading a study on Epidiolex
Summary data on an “open-label study” (not a randomized controlled trial, which is considered the most reliable form of medical research) of 261 children with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Within 8 to 12 weeks, 47% of patients had a reduction in seizure frequency of 50% or more, as reported by their families. The median seizure reduction was over 40% by week 8 and 50% by week 20 of treatment; 9% of patients were seizure-free at 12 weeks.
There is no doubt that Marijuana helps treat Epilepsy and it is one of the most discussed health issue in the debate of if Marijuana should be legalized. Out of all the studies being done there is so much evidence of its impact on these patients who suffer from Seizures.
Lyn, a mother of an Australian boy, Jeremy, who suffers from Seizures since 6 years old
His experience with cannabis so far has been nothing short of miraculous…
Medicinal Cannabis is saving Jeremy’s life. Such a statement seems rather dramatic doesn’t it? Honestly, there is no other way to say it…
Cannabis has definitely made him less violent/angry at the world. It really has changed his life”Marijuana is changing lives of those suffering from Epilepsy but not everyone knows about it. So as the world pushes for its legalization more and more people are being educated and hopefully more lives are being improved by this treatment.
Do you or someone you know suffer from epilepsy and seizures? Tell us your story and thoughts or share your ideas about this medical breakthrough below.
My previous experience was writing for large Media Companies but I am now thrilled to be writing about a niche I am most passionate about. Working with Greendorphin is a dream come true and I now join the mission in educating the masses about the miracle plant, Cannabis
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