Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy
Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affects millions worldwide. In the quest to manage epilepsy, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising option. At Thrive Medical Cannabis, we delve into the science behind cannabis and epilepsy, shedding light on how this plant might provide relief for those with the condition.
Cannabidiol (CBD): A Non-psychoactive Aid CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, has shown potential in treating epilepsy. Research suggests that CBD can reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, and even eliminate them in some cases.
FDA-Approved CBD Drug The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, to treat two severe forms of epilepsy. This marks a significant milestone in the acceptance of cannabis as a therapeutic option for epilepsy.
Possible Side Effects While CBD generally has a good safety profile, some people may experience rare side effects like fatigue, diarrhea, and changes in appetite.
A Note on THC While THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, may offer some therapeutic benefits, it can also trigger seizures in some people with epilepsy. Hence, the use of medical cannabis for epilepsy should be carefully supervised by healthcare professionals.
Thrive Medical Cannabis is here to support you in exploring this therapeutic option. Reach out to us to learn more about medical cannabis for epilepsy and make an appointment today.
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Footnotes
Epilepsy Foundation. Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy ↩
Devinsky, O., et al. (2017). Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. The Lancet Neurology, 15(3), 270–278. ↩
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy ↩
Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139–154. ↩
Gaston, T. E., & Friedman, D. (2017). Pharmacology of cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 70(Pt B), 313–318. ↩
