Can CBD help Reduce Epilepsy Seizures?

Why Cannabis helps Reduce Epilepsy Seizures?

CBD can help reduce epilepsy because cannabinoids can regulate neuron excitability, which is the main cause that triggers epilepsy seizures. Accordingly, this decreases the frequency of seizures, and can even eliminate them.

The study, “Cannabidiol in patients with seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial”, showed that taking CBD had a 43.9% reduction in seizure occurrence.

How Cannabis works for Epilepsy

Cannabinoids mechanism to decrease brain’s nerve cell excitability, has not been properly identified and remains a subject for research.

However, scientists suggest that cannabinoids bind to specific receptors (CB1 and CB2) of the endocannabinoid system. They then perform a variety of biological functions that can protect the brain's signaling system.

As a result, cannabinoids can help treat epilepsy and reduce the frequency of seizures.

In addition, cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that can protect brain cells and the brain’s signaling system from possible inflammation. This can help maintain brain cells and reduce seizures.

How Cannabis can be used for Epilepsy

 Cannabis can be used in the following forms for epilepsy:

1- Oral use (per oz.): hash oil can be taken as drops under the tongue, especially for medical purposes, or it can also be swallowed as baked products or herbal tea. For instance, cannabis leaves, hash, and oil can be mixed into brownies, cookies, and other foods.

If a person consumes cannabis, it will take longer for him or her to feel its effects because it needs to go through the digestive system before it gets into the bloodstream. It might take anywhere between 30 minutes to 5 hours for the body to absorb cannabis properly.

2- Smoking: this is the quickest way to get the effect of cannabis. It can be rolled into a cigarette or smoked in a water pipe, either as herbal cannabis or hash. When it is inhaled, THC would need between 1 and 10 minutes to reach the brain for someone to feel its effect. 

Cannabis dose for Epilepsy: How much to Take

There is no official recommended dose of cannabis for epilepsy as it varies depending on one’s condition, weight, gender, and age. Plus, the quality of the plant.

Always consult your doctor before using cannabis to avoid taking the wrong dosing of cannabis.

Nevertheless, some studies have shown that a dose of 10-20 mg/kg/day of CBD oil can help treat epilepsy and seizures.

The dosing for children is a little bit lower than that. Researchers suggest that children or teenagers should take an estimated dose of 2-16mg CBD/kg/day and 0.04-0.32 mg THC/kg/day. 

The dosing of CBD oil also depends on weight. Children above the age of 15 weighing 100 lbs. can handle a daily dose of 25 mg of CBD. 

Adults can take a larger dose of CBD oil. They can take 25 mg of CBD twice a day.

Factors affecting Cannabis Quality and Dose

Several factors can impact the plant’s potency and alter its effects on the body. These factors affect the dosage each person can take. They include:

- The type of cannabis plant

- The quality of the plant

- How cannabis was used i.e., whether it was smoked or ingested

- How the plant was processed

Therefore, defining the exact dosage remains challenging. It will be subject to disparity until a specific product is defined, tested properly, and officially approved by the government.

Taking Cannabis for Epilepsy: precautions

If you are considering taking CBD for epilepsy, there are some precautions that you should take into consideration:

- Alcohol: cannabis should not be mixed with alcohol since it may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired judgment. Alcohol will increase these effects.

- Medications: cannabis can increase the effects of medications that cause drowsiness such as antihistamines, antidepressants, seizure medicine, and pain relievers among others. 

- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: women should avoid using cannabis during pregnancy or if they are planning on becoming pregnant. Smoking may increase the risk of having a child born with physical and mental defects, and a lower birth weight.

- Driving: cannabis use can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired judgment. Therefore, it’s important to avoid driving so you don’t endanger yourself or harm others.

Taking Cannabis for Epilepsy: side effects

Smoking cannabis might have some negative side effects. That is why doctors recommend taking CBD oil rather than smoking cannabis for medical purposes. These harmful effects might include developing:
 
- Respiratory problems: smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs and increase the risk of several conditions like chronic bronchitis and cancer of the respiratory tract.

- Heart disease: smoking cannabis increases the heart rate and might aggravate existing heart conditions.

- Mental health problems: the THC component of cannabis can decrease concentration levels, which can worsen short-term memory. When taken in high doses, it can even cause hallucinations and delusions.

- Addiction: many people who smoke cannabis long term might develop an addiction and depend on it because its THC component makes them feel “high.”