Cannabidiol (CBD) use was made legal in Canada in 2018. Since then, this plant-derived chemical has been used multi-purposely, including for the management of medical conditions. Unlike its psychoactive counterpart, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it does not induce feelings of euphoria or have mind-altering qualities.
CBD has been said to have positive benefits for patients managing anxiety and depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer treatment side effects such as vomiting and nausea. It has also been seen to help with epilepsy. So should you take CBD oil for seizures?
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil in Canada is derived from the hemp plant. Hemp and marijuana are sometimes used interchangeably, yet they can be assumed to be different species. In truth, they are both names for cannabis, whose slang names include weed, pot, and Maryjane.
The distinguishing feature between hemp and marijuana is the THC content, with hemp containing 0.3% or less, while marijuana has more than 0.3%. This means that hemp is unlikely to get you high, giving way to its more relaxing and pain-relieving qualities.
CBD oil for seizures
Seizures are induced by varying factors, including epilepsy, electrolyte imbalance, brain injury and infection, drug overdose, and sleep deprivation. It is still unclear how CBD oil helps with seizures, but the general hypothesis is that it interacts with our endo cannabinoid receptors which control functions such as sleep, pain, and appetite.
In 2018, the US FDA approved the prescribed CBD drug Epidolex for the treatment of two types of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) and Dravet Syndrome (DS). LGS accounts for 2-5% of epilepsy cases in children, while DS induces seizures that do not go well with medication.
This approval was bolstered by the results of four clinical trials on 154 DS patients and 396 LGS patients on two CBD doses; 10mg/kg/day and 20mg/kg/day. A decrease in the number of monthly seizures was observed for both doses, with side effects including sleepiness, sedation, diarrhea, and decreased appetite.
Are there other side effects to using CBD oil for seizures?
Aside from the observed adverse events in clinical trials, caution needs to be taken in case of an aggressive reaction between CBD oil and other anti-epilepsy medications. In some cases, cannabis may increase the number of seizures or cause liver damage, especially if the dosage is wrong.
What is the best way to use CBD oil for seizures?
The legalization of CBD paved the way for the commercial production of cannabis-based products. It is now a lot easier to walk out of a store with a bag of gummies than ever. CBD products, including creams, vape pens, and oil tinctures, are hailed to have relaxing qualities that help with sleep and pain relief.
Easy access to these products is, however, not licensed for use over-the-counter for any medical condition, including seizures. Before trying any of these therapies, talk to your doctor for a good recommendation. Remember that the wrong CBD vs. THC combination could aggravate seizures or lead to detrimental side effects.
The advancement of research into CBD oil for the management of medical conditions, including seizures, is great news. It could potentially mean that patients are less dependent on prescription drugs that come with consequences like dependency and increased resistance to medication over time. Care must, however, be taken; Always consult your doctor before taking medical CBD.
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