Epilepsy is a disease that causes seizures caused by a surge in electrical activity in the brain. It most often starts in childhood or in people over the age of sixty, but it can affect people of all ages. Once a person has epilepsy, they will remain so for their entire life, but symptoms may improve with age.
Types of epilepsy differ, and because seizures affect different parts of the brain, not everyone has the same symptoms or triggers for epilepsy. For example, there is temporal lobe epilepsy, where seizures can cause loss of consciousness, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, where the person may be aware of having a seizure, and photosensitive epilepsy, where the seizures are caused by flashing lights, contrasting colors and patterns.
There are many types of seizures, ranging from a mild seizure where the person is aware of what is happening, to a complete seizure that takes control of the body and mind. The most common effects of seizures are:
- fit, uncontrollable body movements
- rigidity
- loss of consciousness
- collapse unusual sensations in the limbs
- unusual smells or tastes in the mouth
Seizures can also have triggers, such as stress, lack of sleep, the menstrual cycle in women, alcohol, and medications.
Sometimes epilepsy has a clear cause, such as brain damage from injury, drug addiction, stroke, tumor, or low oxygen levels at birth. In some cases, there is no specific reason why epilepsy develops, although it can be hereditary (idiopathic epilepsy).
Traditional treatment options for epilepsy
Medicines for epilepsy are used to help reduce the number of seizures or even stop them altogether. These drugs work by changing the balance of chemicals in the brain, but they do not cure epilepsy. Seizures may reappear after stopping treatment. The type of medicine used depends on the person's age and the severity of their seizure symptoms. Medicines for epilepsy can also cause unpleasant side effects, such as fatigue and drowsiness, restlessness, headaches, tremors, and rashes.
Sometimes the symptoms of epilepsy do not respond to medication and can be difficult to manage. This is called intractable epilepsy, where seizures cannot be controlled, and affects about 1 in 3 people. It is understandable that this can have a serious effect on a person's quality of life, especially when seizures are frequent.
Brain surgery as a treatment for epilepsy is also an option, and it is often considered when medications do not stop symptoms. Like any surgery on the brain, it carries a risk of complications. Thorough testing is done beforehand to see if it is possible to remove the part of the brain that is affected, and the recovery time can take months.
Another treatment for epilepsy involves sending electrical impulses to the brain, via the vagus nerve that runs from the stomach to the brain. Much like a pacemaker, a small device is inserted into the chest, connected to the vagus nerve, and small electrical impulses are sent to the brain. This can help reduce the frequency of seizures.
As traditional treatments for epilepsy are known to have side effects or to be intrusive on the body, many seek natural alternatives. Eating a healthy diet and learning what triggers to avoid can help reduce symptoms, as can dietary supplements like CBD oil.
CBD oil for epilepsy
Cannabidiol oil (CBD) is a compound derived from cannabis plants, specifically hemp. Hemp doesn't get consumers high like marijuana, which contains high amounts of THC. CBD hemp oil does not induce feelings of euphoria and is not addictive. It is considered safe for adults, children and pets, who can use it as a supplement to improve their health. Although the THC levels in some CBD oils are negligible, you can also buy CBD oil without THC.
CBD oil has shown great promise in treating epilepsy, and there is both anecdotal evidence and scientific research that demonstrates its benefits. Epilepsy Action Australia1 reviews the results of various global studies on epilepsy and CBD, and states that “There is some evidence that cannabis may be helpful in controlling seizures in some cases, particularly for difficult-to-control syndromes like Dravet syndrome in children and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). "
Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, so CBD oil has great potential for relieving symptoms where drugs don't work. Another benefit of using CBD oil for epilepsy is that the side effects are generally mild, and being able to manage the condition with less medication is a favorable option.
To get the best therapeutic levels of CBD for epilepsy, the right dosage is essential. Since everyone is different, the dosage of CBD oil for epilepsy will also be different. The best way to determine the right dosage of CBD oil is to use our CBD oil dosage calculator. By entering some information about a person and their condition, you get a personalized CBD oil dosage within minutes.
Not all CBD oils are created equal in terms of manufacturing practice or quality. It is important to source the best CBD oil for epilepsy i.e. high quality, pharmaceutical grade oil from a trusted supplier. This is because only the purest CBD oils provide the most powerful health benefits and achieve the best results.
For those who suffer from epilepsy, CBD oil may offer some hope in relieving seizures. Epilepsy in adults, children, or even epilepsy in dogs can respond to CBD oil, improving symptoms and creating a better quality of life. The more research on CBD oil and epilepsy continues, the more it will be discovered how it can be used as a treatment.
What you need to know about CBD and epilepsy
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disease that causes seizures, produced by a sudden explosion of electrical activity in the brain. There are different types of epilepsy and different types of seizures. Epilepsy usually develops in childhood or in people over the age of 60. The cause of epilepsy may be obvious, for example after an injury or stroke, it may be genetic, or there may be no obvious cause.
What are the treatments for epilepsy?
Treatments for epilepsy usually consist of drugs to change the balance of chemicals in the brain, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of seizures. However, some types of epilepsy do not respond to medication. There are more intrusive treatment options, such as brain surgery and nerve stimulation, which may help some people. Other ways to treat epilepsy include avoiding known triggers and using supplements like CBD oil.
Does CBD Oil Prevent Seizures?
Early studies on the effects of CBD oil for epilepsy show promising results, with the majority of subjects showing reduced frequency of seizures. This is great news for people whose epilepsy does not respond to traditional medicines.
What is the best dosage of CBD for symptoms of epilepsy?
The best therapeutic dosage of CBD for epilepsy differs from person to person.
sources:
https://www.epilepsy.org.au/about-epilepsy/medicinal-cannabis/
