Many different conditions can cause epilepsy, but cannabis has been proven to help treat epilepsy in some patients. This blog will explore the relationship between cannabis and epilepsy, as well as the specific benefits of cannabis for seizures.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects as many as 350 million people throughout the world. People with epilepsy experience recurrent seizures, which can be caused by a number of different conditions. It’s characterized by unpredictable and recurrent seizures. Seizures can affect any part of the body. Sometimes they are so severe that it prevents people from ever being able to live a normal life again. Epilepsy is often idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause for the condition.
How Does Cannabis Help with Epilepsy?
Cannabis has been shown to help patients with epilepsy. In fact, some studies have found that cannabis is more effective than the most widely-prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), such as carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital and phenytoin.
The reason cannabis helps with seizures is because it has a number of different properties which can interact with the brain in a way that reduces seizure activity. These include CBD and THC, which both have anti-convulsant effects on the brain and reduce seizure frequency. They also include terpenes, which are responsible for many of the effects of marijuana like causing intoxication and euphoria but not getting users high. Terpenes also seem to have anti-inflammatory effects on the brain by reducing swelling. Other cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also help by reducing neuronal excitability in certain areas of the brain and increasing neurogenesis, thus helping counteract epileptic activity caused by cell death or neurodegeneration during seizures.
The Health Benefits of Marijuana
The most common health issues that people with epilepsy face are seizures and chronic pain. Marijuana can help with these conditions. It works by increasing a patient’s body temperature, which in turn reduces the effects of nerve cells affecting brain activity. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps reduce convulsions and spasms.
Cannabis can also help people with epilepsy reduce their use of other drugs and prescription medications. In a study published in the journal Epilepsy Behavior & Therapy, researchers noted that patients who used marijuana (as THC or CBD) had lower rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations than those who didn’t use marijuana.
The Legal Issues of Epilepsy and Cannabis
With the legalization of cannabis, a lot of questions have been brought up regarding the legality of patients and their use of cannabis. There are many states in which medical marijuana is legal, but it’s still federally illegal. This means that doctors cannot prescribe cannabis and patients are not able to get prescriptions for it. The legalities surrounding this issue have made it difficult for people who need cannabis to find relief.
Conclusion
Epilepsy is a condition that affects approximately three million people in the United States, and cannabis can help. The medical benefits of marijuana are abundant, and as it becomes more legalized, more people will be able to access this medicine.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Epilepsy, talk to your doctor about marijuana as a way to relieve symptoms. Visit Bulkweedinbox.cc online dispensary for all your cannabis needs.
Reference
Brain&life – Can Medical Marijuana Control Seizures (July 2021) – https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/can-medical-marijuana-help-control-seizures-epilepsy
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