How Does Medical Marijuana Treat Seizures?

If you or a family member suffers from seizures, you will know just how debilitating they can be. Seizures vary considerably in their severity, but nearly three million Americans experience them regularly in some form or other. One of the most challenging things to have to deal with is the suddenness with which seizures can come on. This lack of warning is not only potentially dangerous because you could be anywhere and doing anything when a seizure strikes, but it can also really affect your confidence, and might even prevent you from going to work or socializing as much as you would like.

Over the past few years, a lot of research has been conducted about seizures and medical marijuana. Many sufferers are looking for an answer to the question “Can MMJ help seizures?” Below, we’ll take a look at some of the research results and some of the popular strains and dosages, and advise you on how to get a medical marijuana recommendation for seizures.

Does medical cannabis treat seizures?

Research into the beneficial effects of medical marijuana in treating seizures and many other conditions has been ongoing for a number of years. It takes time and is not easy to carry out due to a number of federal regulations and various constraints, including financial ones. According to epilepsy.com, recent studies have concluded that a certain type of CBD has proved beneficial in treating some epileptic sufferers who have not previously responded to traditional medicines.

Furthermore, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a drug called Epidiolex, which is made from a plant-based form of CBD, as a treatment for people who are dealing with severe seizures – specifically, any adult or child two years of age or older diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). Studies show that some of the participants had a startling drop in seizures after taking Epidiolex. Clearly, there is some truth in the claim that MMJ can help treat seizures, although more research is still needed.

How does medical marijuana treat seizures?

The jury is still out on the relationship between seizures and medical marijuana, and how exactly MMJ works to eliminate or reduce the number of seizures. One theory is that CBD can play a part in affecting the hippocampus, which is a hub in our brain where information is exchanged. Seizures can occur if this exchange is messed up. Another theory is that CBD can interact positively with our NMDA receptors, which play a big part in our learning and memory capacities. That’s the science bit! But basically, a lot of anecdotal evidence – as well as more and more scientific research – supports the fact that MMJ can help in reducing the number of seizures you suffer.

MMJRecs - CBD oil

Image by Julia Teichmann from Pixabay: How does medical cannabis treat seizures?

The best dosage and strains for treating seizures

If you want to know more about seizures and medical marijuana, it’s necessary to get professional advice. Your physician may recommend trying MMJ alongside your traditional medicine, or you may like to try it in place of traditional medicine to cut down on nasty side effects. Whatever you decide to try, it’s important to take the right amount and a suggested strain that is best for you. Recommended dosages for treating seizures are:

  • 16mg of CBD + 2mg of THC for small children up to teenagers;
  • 25mg daily for teenagers 15 years and above, or a weight of 100lbs or over;
  • 25mg twice daily for adults.

We do advise you to check these amounts with your physician or local medical marijuana dispensary.

The best way of ingesting MMJ for controlling seizures is via edibles, oil, or tinctures. Two recommended strains are Charlotte’s Web and White Widow. The former is definitely the most popular. Named after a little girl who had Dravet Syndrome, Charlotte’s Web was developed by Colorado-based growers specifically for her. Once Charlotte started using the specially formulated cannabis oil, the number of seizures she suffered reduced dramatically.

The second recommendation comes from The Netherlands. A hybrid containing both Sativa and Indica, White Widow is one of the most common strains of MMJ, popular for treating a number of complaints. It contains terpenes, which are known for being effective in the treatment of seizures.

MMJRecs - MMJ recommendation

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay: You can get a medical marijuana recommendation for seizures to make managing your condition a little easier.

How can I get a medical marijuana recommendation for seizures?

Seizures are one of the qualifying conditions for an MMJRecs card. Simply apply with us online for a relaxed evaluation with one of our qualified medical marijuana doctors. This consultation can take place virtually if you prefer not to travel or have a face-to-face meeting. If our expert deems that you qualify for a medical marijuana card, it will be sent to you right away so that you can start using it at your local dispensary. You will also be allowed to grow your own plants.

If you or a loved one suffers from seizures, help and relief might just be a click away. Contact us now to find out more about seizures and medical marijuana and discover if we can help make a difference in your life.

Featured image by Add Weed on Unsplash