Should you take CBD oil for seizures?

CBD is an all-natural approach to treating epilepsy. This article highlights everything you need to know about CBD oil, including how it works for epilepsy and how to determine the right dosage.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a substance found in cannabis plants. It has shown potential in treatingvarious medical ailments, including epilepsy. Seizures may happen to anybody, but those with epilepsy are more likely to have recurrent attacks. Millions of individuals are affected by epilepsy and other seizure diseases, yet no treatment is available. There are several drugs, including cannabidiol (CBD), that may aid in the management of epileptic symptoms in specific cases. CBD oil may be a viable therapeutic choice, but only after carefully considering its potential benefits and hazards with a medical professional. Learn more about CBD oil for epilepsy below.

What are Seizures?

According to Perrotta et al. (2020), seizures are sudden, brief electrical discharges in the brain that affect a person's awareness and capacity to operate, causing spastic movements. Other symptoms include staring, loss of consciousness, and loss of bowel and bladder control.

Are There Symptoms before a Seizure?

Depending on the region of the brain affected, seizures may lead to alterations in motor control, sensation, consciousness, and behavior. There is evidence that some people experience a pre-seizure "aura" or warning sensation. According to Beniczky et al. (2022), a person experiencing an aura may notice a strange odour, get a sense of déjà vu (the belief that one has seen or experienced something before), experience tingling, or see distorted colours. An aura like this might signal the beginning of a seizure. Thekind of seizure being experienced determines the symptoms experienced during a seizure. Someone can be awake and aware during a seizure but not recall it in detail afterward.

Seizures manifest themselves in various ways, including accelerated heart rate, hallucinations, and drooling. In an absence seizure, the patient stops paying attention to their surroundings and stares blankly until the seizure ends, at which point they become responsive again.

Other symptoms include loss of consciousness during or after the seizure; confusion; numbness or tingling sensations; and loss of motor control.

Examples of motor (movement) symptoms are:

• cognitive difficulties,
• eye blinking or rolling upward
• stiffening movements (the tonic phase), which may lead to tripping, and jerking motions (the clonic phase)
• the alternating stiffening and jerking of muscles
• decrease of muscular tone (atonia) that may lead to slackness, falls,
• tremors,
• trembling, a nod of the head, and even abnormal postures.
• Actions repeated again and over, like licking one's lips or eating.

According to Zestos et al. (2018), seizures often last for less than three minutes and resolve spontaneously. A person's face may become red or blue, and they may twitch or tense their muscles.

How Does Cannabidiol (CBD) Help with Epileptic Convulsions?

According to Gray & Whalley (2020), seizure activity is reduced due to CBD's effect on the brain's G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55). This receptor regulates calcium entry into cells. The study showed that CBD might lower neuron excitability. The effectiveness of CBD in treating epilepsy is on par with conventional anti-epileptic drugs. However, complete seizure freedom is achieved in some individuals. Others only experience a decrease in their seizure frequency, while others see no change at all.

Using CBD Oil Effectively to Manage Epileptic Episodes

Most individuals who supplement with CBD will purchase and use CBD tablets or tinctures.You may get CBD oil in various formulations. Epidiolex, the only CBD medication authorized by the FDA for treating epilepsy, contains 99% pure CBD. Although this is a pharmaceutical product, other all-natural CBD oils are readily accessible. You should always consult your doctor before using CBD products if you're having seizures.

CBD Oil Dosage for Epilepsy

It might be difficult to determine how much CBD oil you should consume. It is prudent to start low with any new drug and gradually raise the dose. CBD products should have a serving suggestion and nutritional information panel. This will give you a basic idea of where to begin.

Safety Tips for Seizureand Epileptic Patients

• Someone who has had a seizure is not allowed behind the wheel until their physician says it is safe.
• Epileptic patients should have routine check-ups with their primary care physician or neurologist.
• Patients diagnosed with epilepsy often carry medical identification jewellery or bracelets to alert medical personnel that they require special attention in an emergency. To notify loved ones or caregivers of an impending seizure, there are also specialised smartwatches and monitors on the market.
• People who are epileptic need to be extra careful when driving, swimming, or taking a bath.

Conclusion

CBD's potential application in treating seizures has grown due to recent scientific inquiry. There are cases of treatment-resistant epilepsy in which cannabidiol (CBD) usage may be helpful. It is best to consult a medical professional in each situation to rule out any potentially dangerous drug interactions and explore other treatment options. People who select CBD still need to engage with their doctor to track outcomes and side effects. New, high-quality research may reinforce the preliminary evidence that CBD may help treat seizures as the legal landscape around CBD evolves.

References

Perrotta, G. (2020). Epilepsy: from pediatric to adulthood. Definition, classifications, neurobiological profiles and clinical treatments. Journal of Neurology, Neurological Science and Disorders, 6(1), 014-029.

Beniczky, S., Tatum, W. O., Blumenfeld, H., Stefan, H., Mani, J., Maillard, L., ... & Philippe, K. (2022). Seizure semiology: ILAE glossary of terms and their significance. Epileptic Disorders, 24(3), 447-495.

Zestos, A. G., Luna-Munguia, H., Stacey, W. C., & Kennedy, R. T. (2018). Use and future prospects of in vivo microdialysis for epilepsy studies. ACS chemical neuroscience, 10(4), 1875-1883.

Gray, R. A., & Whalley, B. J. (2020). The proposed mechanisms of action of CBD in epilepsy. Epileptic Disorders, 22, S10-S15.