Among the many recognized benefits of CBDis its role in relieving epileptic seizures. But how does it actually help relieve people suffering from this condition? This article provides the answer.
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a fairly common condition. It is a neurological disorder that affects many people. The number of people suffering from it in UK estimated at around 500,000. The condition manifests itself in the form of seizures, which occur fairly frequently. These seizures are linked to a malfunction in the brain.
What causes epilepsy?
Despite the numerous studies conducted to date on the disease, researchers still do not know the main causes of its onset. However, the triggers are still known. The disease can be triggered by several factors, including:
- From a brain injury;
- From an infectious disease;
- A stroke;
- A tumor in the brain.
These are disorders that can cause disruptions in brain function. To do this, they induce electrical discharges in neurons. This leads to epileptic seizures.
Furthermore, epilepsy is a hereditary condition. Approximately 15% of people with the disease have it because of a family predisposition. Due to the diversity of factors that trigger the disease, several categories of epilepsy can be identified. Of these types of seizures, we will focus on the most severe. These are:
- Rolando's epilepsy;
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome;
- focal seizures.
What are the symptoms of epilepsy?
Epilepsy is recognized by the seizures it causes. But these seizures have a fairly specific manifestation. The signs of these seizures are spasms and convulsions. Their severity varies from case to case. When they are intense, they can cause loss of consciousness. The person may also scream. These seizures cause breathing to stop. This phenomenon is mainly related to the muscle contractions induced by these effects.
These symptoms gradually disappear after a certain amount of time. However, the disappearance of these symptoms also causes other sensations. They give way to a state of fatigue in the person. There are also convulsions that can last for several hours.
In addition, certain warning signs can help determine the type of seizure the person is experiencing. The person may sweat excessively. Their heart rate may also increase. They may also experience spasms and excessive salivation. Headaches are also among the early symptoms.
CBD and its role in treating epilepsy
Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a molecule found in cannabis. While THC, a cannabinoid of the same species, is not recommended due to its harmful effects, this is not the case for CBD, whose virtues continue to be touted. Indeed, it is recognized for several properties.
CBD: An ally in relieving epileptic seizures
According to research conducted by scientists, CBD oil may be able to provide relief for people with epileptic seizures. CBD may reduce the intensity of seizures. The molecule may also be able to reduce the frequency of seizures.
Several theories attempt to explain how CBD relieves epileptic seizures. According to scientists, its interaction with the hippocampus is one reason. The hippocampus is the center of information processing. When it malfunctions, it can cause epileptic seizures.
Furthermore, it would also be possible to achieve an entourage effect with CBD and THC. To do this, they must be administered concomitantly.
Various studies conducted on the effects of CBD on epilepsy
The effects of CBD on epilepsy are a subject of curiosity within the scientific community. Several studies are being conducted on this topic. Researchers use animals for their various experiments. Very few studies have been conducted on humans. We have to go back to 1970 to find any traces of studies on cannabis conducted on humans. Due to the effects of the product, animals are preferred for this study. The various values that generally exist are derived from studies conducted on animals.
However, there are still some experiments that have been conducted on humans.
People aged between 2 and 55 volunteered for this study. There were 171 volunteers in total. All of these people suffer from epilepsy. They continued to take their usual medication for the condition. In addition to this treatment, they were given a dose of 20 mg of CBD per kilogram. It should be noted that not all participants received CBD. This precaution was taken in order to enable a comparison to be made later.
Thus, after the trials, it appeared that people who consumed CBD had a decrease in the rate of falls from 71.4 to 31.4 falls per month. Meanwhile, in the placebo group, the decrease in the number of falls per month was from 74.7 to 56.3.
The use of high-quality CBD could actually provide relief for several types of epileptic seizures. According to the results of the experiment, the risk rate among people who consumed CBD decreased significantly.
However, it should be noted that certain side effects were observed during the research. These were only minor effects, such as digestive problems and drowsiness. However, these effects are temporary and disappear after a certain amount of time.
This was the first part of the experiment. The second phase of the experiment involved giving people with the condition a dose of CBD ranging from 200 to 300 mg. This dose was administered daily.
After a certain amount of time, the people receiving this dose of CBD showed significant improvement. This was not the case for those receiving the placebo.
This experiment led to the conclusion that CBD has a positive effect on people with epilepsy.
However, there are other trials whose results have been inconclusive. This is the case with the placebo-controlled blind study. This study was conducted on 18 people, all of whom suffered from Huntington's disease. Although the study was unable to reveal any positive effects of CBD on this condition, there were no notable side effects in this regard.
Which CBD should be used to combat epilepsy?
CBD can be used in several forms. You can choose between CBD oil, CBD resin, CBD flower. There are also CBD infusions and many other CBD products such as candies, chewing gum, etc. It is recommended to opt for organic CBD flower because of its natural properties.
Oral products are the most recommended in this area. You can therefore opt for oil or capsules. When using oil, it can be swallowed directly. It is also possible to take it sublingually. This method of consumption involves placing the CBD oil under the tongue. By doing so, the premium CBD is absorbed by the oral mucosa. This method of administration provides instant results.
The product should remain under the tongue for approximately one minute. This will facilitate absorption of the product. You can also use CBD isolates. These also dissolve under the tongue.
Regardless of the product you choose, the most important criterion to consider is product quality.
To this end, it is important to identify the manufacturer and determine whether they are reputable. Some research will help you find information about them. It is also important to check whether their products are certified.
In addition, it is necessary to consider the product used for CBD extraction. Some manufacturers use poor-quality products, which means that the CBD cannot be free of residues.
It is also recommended to take a full-spectrum oil. This allows you to enjoy the entourage effect. In addition, you should pay attention to the THC content. When this is high, instead of relieving you of epileptic seizures, you will experience the side effects associated with THC. Moreover, CBD in UK must not exceed exceed 0.3%.
It is important not to confuse hemp oil with CBD oil. This oil comes from cannabis seeds. It therefore does not contain the necessary elements to relieve epileptic seizures.
What dose of CBD should be taken to relieve epileptic seizures?
Despite research in this field, there is no fixed dosage to help you feel better in the event of an epileptic seizure. This is because not all bodies react in the same way to the dosage. It is therefore up to you to find the dosage that best suits your body.
The dosage also takes several factors into account, including weight. It is not out of the question to seek advice from friends and family who also use CBD. However, you must bear in mind that their dosage is not necessarily the one that will provide relief from your epileptic seizures.
Furthermore, if you are a beginner, it is recommended that you start with a low dosage. Your body will gradually adjust. You will need to take into account the effects you experience.
However, it is advisable not to exceed the recommended daily dose. Otherwise, side effects may occur.
CBD: A natural alternative for epilepsy relief
There are certain treatments for epilepsy. However, these treatments do not cure the condition. Their role is to stabilize it. These treatments also differ depending on the type of epilepsy. However, they remain highly toxic solutions. This is not the case with CBD. Although it is not a treatment for the disease itself, it is a purely natural solution that provides relief from seizures.
The following are the standard treatments used:
- Antiepileptic drugs
There are various medications that reduce the reactions of neurons that cause epileptic seizures in the patient. This process prevents electrical impulses. These medications include Tegretol, valproic acid, phenytoin, etc.
Many other newer drugs have been developed in this field. However, these drugs have significant side effects. For example, taking these drugs can cause blood clotting problems. These treatments can also cause malformations in the fetus. The loss of vitamin D from the child's body is also considered one of the side effects of taking these drugs. However, some patients show tolerance to these drugs. In this case, their only option is surgical treatment.
Surgery
This is the solution when medication has failed. The surgery involves removing the part of the brain that is linked to the epileptic seizures. But before proceeding with this surgery, preliminary work must be done. Several tests must be carried out. This operation is not without risk for the patient. The patient may develop neurological deficits after the operation.
But thanks to various research projects, a new technique is emerging: radiosurgery. This procedure targets diseased cells, but it only works for small brain lesions.
Other techniques are also used to control epileptic seizures. These include techniques such as vagus nerve stimulation. There is also fasting or the ketogenic diet. In addition, a healthy lifestyle could help reduce seizures.
