How Medical Cannabis Can Help with Seizure Symptoms: A Guide for Patients Seeking Relief

• Medical cannabis, especially CBD, may help reduce seizure frequency and severity in patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
• CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to stabilize electrical signals in the brain, potentially preventing the abnormal bursts that lead to seizures.
• Clinical studies have shown CBD’s effectiveness, with patients experiencing up to a 42% reduction in seizure frequency in certain types of epilepsy like Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
• CBD is preferred over THC for seizure management because it offers anti-seizure benefits without the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
• Obtaining a medical marijuana card allows patients to access higher-quality CBD products tailored for seizure management from licensed dispensaries.
• Legal considerations vary by state, so consult your local medical marijuana program or a healthcare provider to understand the regulations in your area.
• Potential side effects of CBD can include drowsiness or fatigue, so it’s important to work with a healthcare professional to determine the right dosage and monitor any interactions with existing medications.

Living with seizures can be exhausting, unpredictable, and isolating. For those with epilepsy, managing daily life often feels like walking on eggshells, not knowing when the next seizure will strike.

If this sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone. More people are now turning to medical cannabis, especially CBD (cannabidiol), for help with seizure management.

In this guide, we’ll explain how medical cannabis works, its benefits for seizure disorders, and how you might use it in your treatment plan.

What Is a Seizure Disorder and How Does It Impact Your Life?

Seizures are sudden, uncontrollable electrical disturbances in the brain. They can cause symptoms like muscle jerks and loss of consciousness.

If you or someone you care about has epilepsy or another seizure disorder, you know how much it can affect daily life. For many, anti-seizure medications provide relief.

However, about one-third of epilepsy patients don’t find these treatments effective. This often means constant worry, emergency room visits, and trying to maintain a routine despite the unpredictability of seizures.

If you’re exploring alternatives like medical cannabis, you must be wondering: does it really work? Let’s find out.

Common Seizure Symptoms: What to Look Out For

Seizure symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of seizure and the area of the brain involved. Understanding these symptoms can help you recognize and respond appropriately to a seizure. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

1. Uncontrolled Jerking Movements: Many people associate seizures with convulsions or rhythmic jerking of the arms and legs, which is common in tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures.
2. Staring Spells: Absence seizures, often seen in children, involve brief episodes of staring into space. The person may be unresponsive during these episodes and resume normal activity afterward without realizing a seizure occurred.
3. Loss of Consciousness or Awareness: Some seizures cause a temporary loss of consciousness or awareness. This can lead to falls or accidents if the person is standing or performing an activity.
4. Muscle Stiffness or Limpness: During some types of seizures, such as atonic seizures, a person may suddenly lose muscle tone, causing them to collapse. Tonic seizures, on the other hand, involve sudden muscle stiffness.
5. Sensory Changes: Some seizures cause sensory disturbances, such as tingling, numbness, or a sudden sense of fear. These are more common in focal seizures, which affect a specific area of the brain.
6. Repetitive Movements: Automatisms, such as lip-smacking, chewing, or repeated hand movements, can occur during certain types of seizures.
7. Aura: Some people experience an “aura” before a seizure, which can serve as a warning sign. This may include unusual sensations, such as strange smells, tastes, or visual disturbances.
8. Confusion or Memory Loss: Postictal confusion is common after a seizure. The person may feel disoriented, have trouble speaking, or not remember the seizure at all.

Can Medical Cannabis Reduce Seizures?

Does Weed Help with Seizures?

Many people wonder if medical cannabis can reduce seizures. For years, we only had stories from individuals who said cannabis helped them, but there wasn’t much solid research.

Recently, though, several studies have shown that CBD, a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, can indeed reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. For instance, research on children and adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, found that those using CBD saw a 43% reduction in seizure frequency, compared to 17% in those given a placebo.

This gives hope to those who haven’t found success with traditional medications. If you’re struggling with treatment-resistant epilepsy, CBD might offer an alternative way to manage your condition.

How Does Medical Cannabis Work for Seizures?

To understand how medical cannabis may help with seizures, it’s helpful to know about the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors in your body that helps regulate functions like mood, pain, and brain activity.

How Does Cannabis Help Epilepsy?

Cannabinoids like CBD interact with receptors in the ECS. This interaction helps balance the brain’s electrical activity. When these signals become erratic, seizures can occur. CBD seems to stabilize these electrical signals, reducing the abnormal bursts that lead to seizures.

One way CBD helps is by blocking a molecule called LPI (lysophosphatidylinositol). LPI amplifies nerve signals in the brain, which can worsen seizures in people with epilepsy. By blocking these amplifying signals, CBD may reduce the frequency of seizures.

Is CBD or THC Better for Seizures?

Many people associate cannabis with THC, the compound that causes a “high.” However, THC isn’t the part of cannabis that helps with seizures. Research suggests that THC has limited benefits and may even worsen seizures in some cases.

On the other hand, CBD—which doesn’t cause a “high”—has a clearer anti-seizure effect. CBD oil, derived from hemp or cannabis plants, is often recommended for patients because it provides benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.

So, if you’re worried about getting “high” from using cannabis, CBD products offer medical benefits without the unwanted psychoactive effects.

Patient Story: How Medical Cannabis Has Helped Her

Many patients who have tried medical cannabis after struggling with conventional treatments share similar stories. They find relief when nothing else works. Some have gone from having multiple seizures a day to just a few per month after adding CBD oil to their treatment plan.

“For years, I felt trapped by my epilepsy. Every day was unpredictable, and I was always waiting for the next seizure. After trying CBD, my life changed. I went from having daily seizures to only one or two a month.” – Sarah. J.

Stories like this are becoming more common, with patients finding that CBD helps them regain a sense of control and normalcy.

Is It Legal to Use Cannabis for Epilepsy?

The legal landscape around medical cannabis is changing quickly. This can make it confusing to know what’s allowed where you live. In the U.S., CBD derived from hemp is legal at the federal level thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. But CBD derived from marijuana (with higher THC levels) and THC products are only legal in certain states.

Legality of Using Cannabis for Epilepsy

Currently, 24 states including Ohio have legalized marijuana. An additional 16 states allow its medical use for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, cancer etc. This means many patients across the country can access CBD or THC products for their seizures, but the rules vary by state.

To find out what’s available to you, check your state’s medical marijuana program or talk to a healthcare provider familiar with cannabis regulations.

How to Get Ohio Medical Marijuana Card for Seizure Treatment

If you live in a ohio state that allows medical cannabis for epilepsy, the first step is to get a medical marijuana card. This card lets you buy medical cannabis products from licensed dispensaries and gives you access to higher-quality, more potent options than recreational users can buy.

Steps to Get a Medical Card:

1. Consult with a Doctor: Schedule an appointment with a certified doctor who can recommend medical cannabis. They will assess your condition and discuss if cannabis is a good option for you.
2. Submit Your Application: After getting the doctor’s recommendation, submit your application to your state’s medical marijuana program.
3. Visit a Dispensary: Once approved, visit a licensed dispensary to buy CBD oil, tinctures, capsules, or other cannabis products for your seizure management.

Even if you live in a state where cannabis is legal for recreational use, having a medical marijuana card can give you access to stronger, more specialized products and may even save you money.

Tips for Using Medical Cannabis for Seizures Patients

If you’re considering medical cannabis as a treatment for seizures, here are some tips to help you get started:

• Start Small: Begin with a low dose of CBD and gradually increase it. Many find relief with doses between 10-20 mg per day, but it depends on how your body responds.
• Work with Your Doctor: Always talk to your healthcare provider before adding cannabis to your treatment plan, especially if you’re already on other medications.
• Track Your Progress: Keep a journal of your seizures and note any changes after starting CBD. This helps you and your doctor see if it’s working.

Conclusion

Living with a seizure disorder can be overwhelming. But treatments like medical cannabis offer new hope. If you’ve been struggling with uncontrolled seizures and are looking for alternatives, CBD oil or other cannabis products might provide the relief you need.

Always consult with a healthcare professional to ensure cannabis is safe and right for you. If it is, medical marijuana programs can help you access the best products for your needs.