CBD for Refractory Epilepsy: What It Can Do When Seizure Meds Don't Work

CBD is one of the few non-standard options with real research behind it for refractory epilepsy, the kind that doesn't respond to conventional anti-seizure drugs. Studies suggest it can cut the frequency and intensity of seizures in some patients without getting them high, which is why it's become a go-to add-on therapy. And cannabis-based remedies for seizures aren't new: they go back centuries. Some accounts place medicinal cannabis preparations in China as far back as 2700 BC, used for rheumatic pain, constipation and menstrual cramps. In the Middle Ages, Islamic physicians used it for epilepsy, fever and pain relief. Today cannabis, and CBD in particular, is prescribed for anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, vomiting and epilepsy, among other things. Thanks to modern breeding, growers can now produce CBD-dominant strains, so patients don't have to take on THC, the cannabinoid that gets you high. CBD and other cannabis-based therapies have shown anticonvulsant effects that can improve quality of life for people living with this condition. Several studies have found that CBD has a strong anticonvulsant effect that works well in different types of epilepsy, and its use has grown fast precisely because it isn't intoxicating. CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system, the body's network of cannabinoid receptors and signaling molecules, which plays a key role in how long seizures last and how often they happen. Some physicians, following the lead of cannabis researcher Dr. Ethan Russo, argue that certain types of epilepsy develop as a result of endocannabinoid system dysfunction. The most severe form is called status epilepticus: a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, or seizures that keep coming back to back. It's a medical emergency. If the patient doesn't get treatment right away, the prolonged loss of normal brain function can cause irreversible brain damage and can even be fatal.

Charlotte Figi's story shook up the medical cannabis world and the United States when a CBD oil treatment for her rare form of epilepsy dramatically improved her quality of life. Charlotte had Dravet syndrome, a severe genetic epilepsy with no drug specifically designed to stop it at the time. She started having violent seizures at three months old, and over time they took away her ability to talk, walk and even eat, so she had to be fed through a tube. After running out of medical options, the Figi family reached out to Joel Stanley's Colorado dispensary. Joel and his brothers had bred a high-CBD, low-THC strain that didn't get you high. Charlotte started taking an oil made from it and her seizures dropped fast. She walked again and was able to eat without the feeding tube. The strain was renamed Charlotte's Web in her honor. Her case was a turning point for medical cannabis research, and she won't be forgotten.

What helps with refractory epilepsy?

Refractory epilepsy, also called drug-resistant epilepsy, is epilepsy that doesn't respond to conventional treatment. There's no cure for epilepsy, but there are treatments that can help control symptoms and improve quality of life for people with the refractory kind. One alternative that's gained a lot of ground in recent years is CBD. Research suggests CBD has anticonvulsant properties and can reduce how often seizures happen and how intense they are in patients with refractory epilepsy. Beyond CBD, other alternative and complementary approaches can help some patients with refractory epilepsy, like the ketogenic diet and vagus nerve stimulation. Conventional medications can still work for some people, too. Keep in mind that CBD can have side effects, such as drowsiness, fatigue and diarrhea, and it can interact with certain medications. That's why patients should talk to their doctor before starting any CBD or cannabis-based treatment. Bottom line: refractory epilepsy can be tough to treat, but there are alternative and complementary options that may help some patients, CBD included, alongside conventional medical care. Working with a qualified medical team to find the right treatment for each patient is what makes the difference.

How many drops of CBD for epilepsy?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, because the right CBD dose for epilepsy varies from person to person and with how severe the condition is. Talk to a doctor or a medical cannabis specialist before starting CBD for epilepsy: they can work out an appropriate dose and track your progress. In general, CBD doses for epilepsy start small and go up gradually over time. Some CBD products come with specific dosing instructions, so read the label carefully before you use them.

What are the most common types of epilepsy?

1. Focal epilepsy: Also called partial epilepsy, this type starts in one specific area of the brain. Symptoms depend on which area is affected, but they can include involuntary movements, strange sensations, or changes in mood or thinking.
2. Generalized epilepsy: This type involves the whole brain and can cause tonic-clonic seizures, absence seizures and myoclonic jerks.
3. Idiopathic epilepsy: A form of epilepsy with no known cause that usually starts in childhood or adolescence.
4. Cryptogenic epilepsy: A form where doctors suspect an underlying cause but can't pin it down.
5. Symptomatic epilepsy: A form where the underlying cause is known, such as a brain injury, a genetic disorder or a brain infection.
6. Temporal lobe epilepsy: This type starts in the brain's temporal lobe and can cause seizures and mood changes.

These are just a few examples of the many different types of epilepsy out there. If you liked this, you might also want to check out... [embed]https://www.cosechalibre.com/cbd/[/embed]