Epilepsy

Epilepsy is an approved Category 1 Health Canada MMAR Condition

Under no circumstances should any person with seizure disorder change, augment or substitute any prescribed antiepileptic medication for another registered drug or other (alternative, complementary or herbal) treatment without specific instructions to do so from their neurologist or attending physician.

Condition Description

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that afflicts approximately 1% of the world’s population.[1] There is a range of possible types of seizures depending on how wide spread the neurological disturbance is in the brain. Sometimes there are triggers for seizures such as low blood sugar, stress, sleep loss, or even boredom.[2] There is no known cause of epilepsy in approximately 60-75% of all cases.[3] Of the remaining 25-40%, there are a number of identified causes. These include brain injury to the fetus during pregnancy, birth trauma (lack of oxygen), aftermath of infection (meningitis), head trauma, alteration in blood sugar, other metabolic illness, brain tumor and stroke.[3]

Commonly Prescribed Drugs

Anti-convulsant drugs help control some kinds of epilepsy, but a few forms of epilepsy do not react well to these pharmaceutical drugs. These drugs have possible serious side effects, including bone softening, swelling of the gums, decreased production of red blood cells, and emotional instability.[2] Furthermore, anti-convulsant drugs only completely stop seizures in about 60% of epileptic patients.[2]

Benefits of Marijuana

Marijuana has been investigated for its anti-convulsant properties since the 19th century. Many patients with epilepsy believe medical marijuana is an effective therapy for epilepsy and are actively using it. [4] Many anecdotal reports as well as patient case studies indicate the assistance of medical marijuana in controlling seizures.[2] Some epileptic patients state that they can wean themselves off of prescription drugs and stay free of seizures as long as they have a regular supply of medical marijuana.[2]

Cannabinoid Research

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the primary and non-psychoactive cannabinoids found naturally in marijuana. CBD appears to benefit some epileptic patients who ingest it to avoid seizure activity.[5] For epileptic patients who cannot tolerate or do not benefit from their antiepileptic drugs, medical marijuana can be a good alternative to successfully control their seizures, without experiencing debilitating side effects. [5] [6]

Recommended Resources

Please take a look at these interesting articles and books for further information on epilepsy and the benefits of medical marijuana.

Articles

• Epilepsy by Melinda Hills 2009
• Epilepsy patients are smoking pot December 2004
• Experiences with THC-treatment in children and adolescents 2003
• Marijuana Use More Prevalent With Epilepsy December 2003
• Therapeutic Aspects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids February 2001
• Hypnotic and Antiepileptic Effects of Cannabidiol 1981

Books

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