Epilepsy is a relatively common disease that is treatable and does not significantly alter the quality of life for most patients.

What is epilepsy? 

The term “epilepsy” refers to a brain disorder that causes epileptic seizures.

An epileptic seizure is caused by a temporary disorder of the nerve cells in the brain (excessive electrical discharge). These include a variety of temporary, transient symptoms (signs), such as seizures, twitches, strange sensations, loss of consciousness, falling, etc.

Epilepsy occurs in 0.5 – 1% of people worldwide. 2 – 5% of people experience one epileptic seizure in their lifetime. Epilepsy also occurs in the animal world.

Epilepsy can start at any age, from the first hours of life to old age. Each age group has its own type of epilepsy. Very often epilepsy begins in childhood or adolescence. Epileptic seizures may change as the patient grows.

How does epilepsy manifest itself?

Epilepsy is manifested by seizures.

Epileptic seizures can be divided into “major seizures” and “small seizures”. “Large seizures” are manifested by unconsciousness and convulsions. “Small seizures” can take the form of temporary disturbances of consciousness with or without automatic action, as well as temporary movements, twitching or unusual sensations with a sudden onset and end.
Most seizures are “small” – 70%, only 30% of patients have “large” seizures. Some patients may have several types of seizures.

Why does epilepsy occur?

The causes of epileptic seizures can vary. Studies show that about 40% of people with epilepsy have genetic changes. In recent years, more and more specific genes responsible for the development of epilepsy have been found.

However, there are other causes, such as minor brain defects, severe births, pre-existing conditions or ongoing brain diseases. As a result, epilepsy is not hereditary.

In adults, seizures may occur if they have been experienced in childhood and have not been present for years; as a result of brain damage (after injuries, encephalitis, circulatory disorders, tumors, etc.); harmful as a result of excessive use of substances (epilepsy usually stops after stopping the using of these substances).

Most patients do not need a special regimen that affects their daily activities. However, it is necessary to avoid the factors that provoke the attack and to be careful in potentially traumatic situations.

The most common provocative factors are violations of the regime (insomnia, alcohol, drugs), flashing light (photosensitive epilepsy), physical and mental overload.

Treatment.

Epilepsy is undoubtedly treatable.
The basic method of treating epilepsy is medication. Most patients tolerate treatment well. However, antiepileptic drugs can also have serious side effects. They can be expressed individually for each person.

Other treatments: ketogenic diet, surgical, nomadic nerve stimulation.

Although alternative therapies are rarely used, there are fewer studies in this regard, but some of them are considered to be quite effective.

CBD as an alternative treatment.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with epilepsy, you may have done the research and gathered information about CBD oil as a way to reduce the symptoms associated with the disease. But does it really work? And if so, how?

Similarly, the use of CBD to improve the health of people with epilepsy is also a form of treatment.

In fact, CBD oil may offer some people a way to control and reduce the incidence of seizures, pain, and anxiety with little or no side effects.

Regardless of the type of epilepsy or seizures you experience, it is a complex disorder in itself and affects everything from physical condition to difficulty in accepting the situation. No wonder people are looking for real, lasting alternatives.

The antiepileptic effects of Cannabis and its derivatives have been documented since 1881. People’s positive experiences with cannabidiol (CBD) as an antiepileptic remedy encourage people to move to countries that have safe access to a medicine containing the compound. CBD is increasingly being reported by parents to treat their children’s seizure disorders. The use of this cannabinoid for the treatment of seizures is not unjustified, the increasingly popular THC molecule has been studied in children with seizure disorders in the past. The results of clinical trials of cannabinoids for the treatment of epilepsy are promising.

CBD is becoming more and more popular than THC because CBD seems to provide much more health benefits and does not cause a “high” sensation by acting on receptors in the body.

Clinical trials with CBD have been ongoing since 1978. However, there are only a few studies that have tested CBD separately in the last 30 years. CBD in combination with THC has been studied in many clinical trials known as Sativex. There have also been reports of CBD published in the scientific literature and on CNN.

According to a 2013 study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, CBD offers a wide range of benefits due to its anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antiemetic and anxiolytic properties. These benefits have provided significant relief to people suffering from conditions such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, nausea and chronic pain. However, one of the most significant and scientifically-based achievements in the industry is the significant benefits of using CBD oil to treat epilepsy.

Information on the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD is available from both hospitals and parents, as well as a wide variety of animal-related data. It is safe to say that there is more than enough evidence to support large-scale clinical trials with CBD, it is non-toxic and is generally well-tolerated in clinical trials and reports. However, the number of patients receiving pure CBD is small and studies are small, which does not allow the medical industry to draw reliable conclusions about the efficiency of cannabinoids in epilepsy. The inclusion of CBD in rigorous clinical trials will provide medical professionals with more information about CBD-containing medicines and their effects on epilepsy.

Benefits of using CBD oil to treat epilepsy.

As mentioned above, there are different treatments for epilepsy. Many people are prescribed several anticonvulsants to control seizures, among other things.

Unfortunately, this medicine is not always effective and has a list of potential side effects, including headache, nausea, hair loss, weight gain, slurred speech, double vision, liver failure, sleep disturbances and depression.

And to make the situation even more complicated, 30% of people with epilepsy are resistant to traditional treatments, which means that anticonvulsants do not provide any relief to many epilepsy patients.

And then there is CBD oil, which has few or no negative side effects and has shown promising results in treating the symptoms associated with epilepsy.

The Cannabis sativa plant contains a large number of cannabinoids, the most common of which are known and studied – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both interact with the human body’s endocannabinoid system and produce a number of beneficial effects.

THC has intoxicating properties and is most often associated with an individual’s “high” experience. CBD does not have this type of effect and is more useful in medical cases, allowing people to find relief without any intoxication. In other words, CBD oil will not elevate you.

CBD oil acts on CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain and central nervous system. CBD does not directly bind to these receptors, but indirectly affects them and other receptors involved in the management of epileptic symptoms.

More scientific research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy, but the data collected so far is indeed promising.

Efficiency of CBD oil for epilepsy.

In three different studies with people with Dravet’s syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (the two most severe forms of epilepsy), CBD oil significantly reduced the incidence of seizures. In the case of Dravet’s syndrome, convulsive tonic-clonic, tonic, clonic and atonic seizures were reduced, while those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome also had a reduction in seizures.

It is not clear whether or not these results were a result of CBD or a by-product of CBD interacting with antiepileptic medicines to increase their efficiency. More research is needed.

CBD can not only help reduce the frequency of seizures, but also help with many of the conditions and experiences associated with epilepsy. Lack of sleep, for example, is one of the factors that can exacerbate the symptoms and seizures of epilepsy; CBD oil can help to create a calmer, deeper sleep for those who use it.

Pain and inflammation can also be a problem for people with epilepsy, and CBD also helps manage these symptoms.

Patients with epilepsy can also experience great social anxiety. There are still prejudices surrounding the disease and it can be difficult for individuals to explain or predict their condition. CBD oil can be used to alleviate this anxiety by providing patients with less daily stress.

CBD oil for epileptic seizures.

The antispasmodic and anticonvulsant types of CBD oil are well known. In fact, many of the current CBD-containing medications are specifically for the treatment of epilepsy.

After reviewing the results of the above studies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States of America recommended that CBD, an oil-based pharmaceutical known as Epidiolex, be approved for use in the treatment of epilepsy. Epidiolex was officially approved for epilepsy in patients over two years of age in June 2018.

Although the biological mechanics of how CBD oil helps reduce seizures are not fully understood, its success in doing so remains encouraging.

CBD oil for epileptic pain and inflammation.

One of the most popular uses of CBD oil is in the treatment of pain and inflammation.

Glycine receptors are found throughout the central nervous system and play an important role in our perception of pain. These receptors are known as inhibitors, and studies have shown that CBD increases their effects by reducing the sensation of pain.

Inflammation is a natural immune response to injuries or invaders from the outside, but when this reaction becomes hyperactive, it is called chronic inflammation and can cause the body to attack healthy cells and tissues. CBD is able to reduce the production of cytokines that are released by immune cells that are involved in the early stages of inflammation. By disrupting the production of cytokines, CBD oil can prevent inflammation.

CBD oil also works by limiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter adenosine by inhibiting the equilibrium nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1). As a result, adenosine levels in the brain increase, increasing adenosine receptor activity. In turn, activation of these receptors plays an important role in reducing inflammation throughout the body.

CBD oil to reduce the anxiety associated with epilepsy.

Many people with epilepsy experience anxiety. Seizures can be difficult to predict, and loss of control of the body can lead to confusing experiences, such as loss of control of bowel and bladder function. It can be difficult to live with a condition that can manifest itself at any time.

Low serotonin levels are associated with both depression and anxiety. These conditions are usually treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but SSRIs can cause side effects such as insomnia, dry mouth, decreased libido and diarrhea.

CBD oil can have a positive effect on serotonin levels without these listed side effects.

The CBD molecule activates a serotonin receptor called 5-HT1A, which raises serotonin levels in the brain. CBD also inhibits adenosine uptake (as mentioned above) by increasing the amount of this neurotransmitter in the brain. A1A and A2A adenosine receptors play a role in anxiety and depression.
Finally, anandamide is a neurotransmitter commonly referred to as a “molecule of bliss”. Anandamide is responsible for feelings of joy, happiness and motivation.

CBD acts as an anandamide reuptake inhibitor, which increases the amount available in the brain and reduces the limiting effects of anxiety.

CBD oil as a sleep enhancer in epilepsy.

Getting enough sleep is important for everyone, especially for people with epilepsy. Lack of sleep is a potential cause of seizures, but people with epilepsy can go into a vicious cycle because the stress and anxiety around the seizures could prevent someone from falling asleep and sleep. By reducing pain and anxiety, CBD significantly improves sleep.

How to use CBD oil for epilepsy?

CBD oil is generally safe and does not cause obvious side effects, although it may interact with the usual medications you are taking, including some antidepressants or antibiotics. You may also want to consider talking to a naturopath or doctor who specializes in the use of CBD and other cannabis products to treat certain medical conditions.

Although treatment for epilepsy can be difficult, it is possible for most people to find medication or combinations of medication that treat the symptoms after a small trial dose setting and the number of errors made. But if you have difficulty treating epileptic conditions such as Dravet’s syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, CBD oil may be your best choice.

There are many different ways to use CBD oil to treat epilepsy. Your choice of admission method will depend on your needs and lifestyle.

Many epileptics treat themselves by smoking Cannabis. The downsides of this method are not entirely safe, as it will not be known exactly how much CBD and THC you consume, and smoking can cause other health problems.

One of the most popular ways to absorb CBD oil is to use drops of CBD oil. This method works quickly and can provide lasting relief. But this method is not suitable for everyone.

For example, the transdermal patch is discrete and can provide an even dose throughout the day. In an edible way, vapes, topical creams, oils, lotions and concentrates are also possible alternatives – do the testing yourself to determine which method is best for you.

CBD oil doses for epilepsy.

There is no universal dose of CBD oil for epilepsy. Because every person and body is different, two people will not respond to CBD oil in the same way. It is best to follow the recommended portion sizes indicated on your product.

Research.

In May 2017, NBC News published an article reviewing a study by Dr. Orrin Devinsky. In their study, Devinsky and his team included 120 children from around the world with Dravet’s syndrome, a rare and often fatal form of epilepsy that can cause long-lasting seizures, often leading to brain damage. There is currently no official treatment for Dravet’s syndrome that will completely cure it.

To determine if CBD could be used to benefit children in any way, Devinsky and his team provided CBD for half of the children and placebo for the other half for 14 weeks.

The results are amazing …

According to a study group statement in the New England Journal of Medicine, “The incidence of seizures in the cannabidiol-treated group decreased by 39% from nearly 12 seizures in the month before the study and decreased to about six seizures; In 3 patients, the seizures were completely relieved. ”

In conclusion. Regardless of your position on whether you agree with the use of cannabinoids as a treatment, no one, especially a child, should suffer from epilepsy and its disorders, and if CBD can help alleviate these symptoms, it should be considered a real miracle and should be easily accessible method of treatment for everyone.

Here are some links to full scientific articles that will provide an overview and a lot of basic information about cannabinoids in epilepsy:

• Cannabidiol Displays Antiepileptiform and Antiseizure Properties In Vitro and In Vivo
• Exogenous and Endogenous Cannabinoids Suppress Inhibitory Neurotransmission in the Human Neocortex
• Endocannabinoid system protects against cryptogenic seizures
• Commentary-Slim Evidence for Cannabinoids for Epilepsy
• Neuron to astrocyte communication via cannabinoid receptors is necessary for sustained epileptiform activity in rat hippocampus

The information on the internet about CBD products and their use will be ambiguous, so we always recommend reading safe and reliable sources. We also use websites related to the Cannabis industry, research and education to prepare information.

The content of this site is for informational purposes only. We are not medical experts and this should not be interpreted as medical advice. Be sure to consult your doctor before undergoing CBD or other treatment.

The chemistry of every human body and brain is unique, so the use of CBD to improve mental as well as physical health does not guarantee results. However, many GWEEPRODUCTS CBD oil users have included it into their daily routine as one of the therapies for improving mental, physical health and quality of life.

References: cbdoilreview.org; projectcbd.org; cbdorigin.com; gwpharm.co.uk; ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; web.archive.org; epidolex.com; medicine.lv

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