Do you experience seizures regularly? According to statistics, nearly 3.4 individuals in the nation currently have epilepsy and seizures. Characterized by an irregular discharge of neurons in the brain, seizures can be life-altering and induce symptoms such as uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of consciousness and confusion.
If you’re a patient who suffers from seizures, you’re likely pursuing a medication plan to help you manage the unwanted side effects to lead a healthy life. But, many of the pharmaceuticals to treat epilepsy may induce a host of other adverse effects. Fortunately, CBD is a natural alternative to these traditional medication options.
Before we delve into the health benefits offered by CBD, you may want to know more about seizures and what causes these reactions in patients.
Who experiences seizures? Although seizures are a primary symptom of epilepsy, nonepileptic seizures can be provoked by other health issues, too. However, a patient is typically diagnosed with epilepsy when they experience two or more seizures that do not stem from another root cause, such as a blood clot or brain tumor.
What exactly is a seizure? In a normal state, the nerve cells — or neurons — in the brain communicate via pathways by sending and receiving vital electrical impulses. Any disruption in these pathways disturbs the necessary communication of the brain’s nerve cells, provoking uncontrollable bodily jerks. In more extreme scenarios, the patient may lose consciousness, too.
To understand how CBD can help alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy and seizures, you’ll first want to develop a brief knowledge of the endocannabinoid system and its relationship to this condition.
What is the endocannabinoid system, and what impact does it have on the occurrence of seizures in a patient? This vital system plays a crucial role in ensuring the typical performance of a patient’s physiological functions. The endocannabinoid system is comprised of various cannabinoid receptors that your body relies on to regulate your mood, pain and inflammation control, as well as the central nervous system.
Essentially, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating receptors that are responsible for keeping the body in a state of homeostasis. For those experiencing seizures, however, the receptors prompt an excessive activation of glutamatergic transmission, triggering epileptic episodes.
Since the endocannabinoid system plays a pivotal role in how a patient’s brain responds to a seizure, many individuals are finding it beneficial to seek cannabis or CBD treatment to control and lessen their symptoms.
Cannabis strains are widely known for their ability to positively interact with the endocannabinoid system, promoting a variety of health benefits as a result. But what is the direct correlation between CBD and the endocannabinoid system and how can this treatment option help a patient experience relief?
The endocannabinoid system is named after cannabis — but why? A patient’s body naturally creates chemicals that interact with the endocannabinoid system. These chemicals, called cannabinoids, help in sending signals to receptors in the brain, ensuring that the body performs its necessary daily functioning with ease.
For a patient experiencing seizures, CBD can produce an anticonvulsant effect by impacting neurotransmitters that send signals to the brain. By activating CB1 receptors, which are essential to the nervous system, CBD can help prevent the occurrence of seizures in patients.
Medical marijuana is also widely known to help alleviate seizures. However, CBD may be an ideal option for many patients who wish to experience the positive impacts of cannabis without the hallucinogenic effects. Since CBD does not contain THC, a patient can effectively reduce seizures without altering their mental state in the process.
CBD is quickly becoming a preferred treatment option by patients who are looking to reduce the complications and symptoms provoked by various health issues. Today, medical marijuana professionals have responded to this growing demand by offering a diverse mixture of products to best suit each patient’s unique set of needs.
Although CBD is available in a topical form, those experiencing seizures may prefer an oral type of CBD instead. Capsules, tinctures, edibles, and vaporizers enter the bloodstream faster and can help to provide rapid relief, which is a top priority for those experiencing seizures.
Once you choose your intake method, now it’s time to select your CBD product. For patients experience epilepsy and seizures, Charlotte’s Web, Ringo’s Gift and ACDC a few strains that can contribute to their ability to experience relief.
Fortunately, CBD is legal in the nation, so you won’t have to enroll as a medical marijuana patient or meet with a doctor to experience relief. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of CBD and how you can use this substance to control seizures, consider reaching out to a marijuana-friendly professional in your area for more information.
Learn more about Seizures and what makes medical marijuana an effective treatment for Seizures’s symptoms.
