How Effective Is CBD Oil for Epilepsy and Seizures?
The use of CBD oil for epilepsy and seizures is well documented by both anecdotal evidence and research studies.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes unpredictable periods of intense brain activity, leading to convulsions and loss of consciousness. Seizures, which often accompany epileptic attacks, are sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain manifesting as involuntary muscle contractions and changes in behavior.
Evidence suggests that CBD oil can relieve people with these conditions when other treatments have failed them. Research studies show promising results: one study found significant reductions in seizure frequency while another study showed reduced incidence rates among children who took pure CBD extract.
If you’re looking for relief from seizures and epilepsy, CBD oil may help relieve your symptoms due to its anti-convulsive properties.
This post explains CBD oil and how it works with your body’s endocannabinoid system to relieve convulsions and seizures. We also explore the benefits of using CBD oil as a natural medicine for epilepsy and seizures and the side effects. Read on to learn more about this promising new treatment option.
What Is CBD?
Cannabis is a plant with over 400 compounds. The most prevalent of these is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which gives the plant its psychoactive effects.
However, the marijuana plant also has over 85 different cannabinoids. One of these cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD), offers numerous health benefits without any psychoactive effects whatsoever.
You can extract CBD and use it as an oil or other topical product; it’s also available as capsules and edibles. It doesn’t make you feel high like THC does, but it will help with anxiety, depression, nausea, and other symptoms such as epilepsy and seizures.
What Is Epilepsy? How Are Epilepsy and Seizures Connected?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects about 3.4 million people in the US. Epilepsy causes seizures.
This condition can occur due to:
- Birth defects
- Infections like meningitis and encephalitis
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Idiopathic (unidentifiable) reasons
There are many different types of seizures, but they all cause convulsions and loss of consciousness. Attacks can occur due to several reasons, including:
- Brain infections
- Drug overdose
- Epilepsy
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Sleep deprivation
- Traumatic brain injury
The two most common types of seizure are focal onset and generalized onset. Focal onset seizures start in one area of the brain, while generalized ones happen throughout your brain at once. If you experience any seizure for more than 15 minutes, seek immediate medical attention because it could lead to death if not treated quickly enough.
How Does CBD Oil Help with Epilepsy and Seizures?
CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which may protect brain cells against damage. It also helps regulate neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for controlling seizures.
Scientists aren’t exactly sure why this is, but they hypothesize CBD could help reduce electrical activity in the GPR55 and TRPV1 receptors by preventing them from becoming “over-excited.”
Researchers also think that CBD oil stops seizures by affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a hormone that helps regulate moods and emotions. By balancing the nervous and endocannabinoid systems, CBD oil provides relief to people who suffer from chronic pain and seizures.
Is CBD Oil Effective for Treating Epilepsy and Seizures?
CBD oil has been FDA-approved to treat three conditions: epilepsy, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
However, scientists have only performed the most rigorous studies on people with one of these conditions: epilepsy. This has led to CBD attaining a restricted status for treating cancers or MS in some countries.
The FDA approved an oral spray containing 99% pure CBD, known as Epidiolex, in 2018. Epidiolex has proved effective for treating treatment-resistant forms of childhood epilepsy, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
In a recent study, Epidiolex proved to have positive effects in treating seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Another clinical trial highlights the effectiveness of Epidiolex as an anti-seizure and antipsychotic medication.
These research studies and clinical trials clearly show that CBD oil is effective for treating epileptic seizures.
However, before taking CBD oil, you must first consult a doctor to determine whether it will interact with your current medications. Some research has shown that after consuming CBD oil, people report more frequent seizures. This can make the treatment process complicated.
Interactions between CBD Oil and Epilepsy Medication
CBD oil effectively provides seizure control for some people who have epilepsy or other medical conditions like cancer. However, this form of treatment should always come with a caveat, as there are adverse consequences associated with its use.
Potential adverse reactions include:
- Loose stools causing diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Sleepiness leading to fatigue
CBD oil may also interact negatively with anti-epilepsy medications. People on valproic acid could see an increase in liver enzymes, which could cause damage to the organ. Additionally, people on Clobazam might experience chronic fatigue.
CBD oil may not mix well with other medications. Be sure to talk it over with your doctor if you take any drugs for epilepsy or other health conditions.
How to Take CBD for Epilepsy and Seizures: Methods
There are many ways to take CBD for epilepsy and seizures. If you want to use CBD oil more naturally, here are some excellent options:
CBD Tinctures
Apply CBD tinctures sublingually (i.e., under the tongue) and swish around in your mouth before swallowing. Tinctures often come with a dropper to help with dosing.
Sublingual drops of CBD get absorbed through special membranes into the bloodstream. This method provides a more even blood absorption rate, according to research studies.
CBD Creams and Lotions
Some patients prefer topical applications like creams, oils, or lotions because they don’t have the effect of getting into their system as quickly. This is because CBD metabolized through the skin does not equal CBD metabolism by the liver.
CBD Capsules
CBD capsules come in pill or soft gel form, which you swallow like any other medication. They offer a fixed dose of CBD per serving.
Additionally, because they do not contain natural hemp flavors that may be off-putting to some consumers, capsules often win out over traditional oil preparations.
CBD Vape Oils
CBD vape oils are an increasingly popular product among younger cannabis consumers. The main reasons people use it are to relax and because they enjoy the flavor of vaping oils.
Vape oils have shown in most studies to be more effective at delivering CBD to your system than alternative methods like soft gel capsules, which contain only around 10 percent bioavailability.
CBD Edibles
Manufacturers make CBD edibles by extracting the active cannabinoids from the hemp plant.
Many patients prefer CBD edibles for providing the medical benefits of marijuana, like pain relief and increased appetite. The effects typically last 2-4 hours longer than if you smoked or vaped cannabis.
How to Take CBD for Epilepsy and Seizures: Dosage
As with every new substance, you should start on a low dosage and slowly increase levels until you experience an effect that works optimally for your body. This process will help reduce the risk of side effects while giving physicians room to adjust dosages if necessary.
Optimal CBD dosage for epilepsy and seizures depends on the following factors:
- Age
- Cannabinoid spectrum (broad or full)
- CBD concentration
- Metabolism rate
- Method of ingestion
- Other current medications
- Weight and BMI
CBD Dosage for Adults
To reach an effective dose, adults with epilepsy need more CBD than children. This is due to differences in body weight and metabolism between the two groups.
Low Dosage Protocols in Adults
- Begin with 25 mg twice daily.
- Increase dosage by 25 mg per dose every 1-2 weeks.
- Target doses between 100-300 mg twice daily if you do not experience side effects.
High Dosage Protocols in Adults
- Begin with 50 mg twice daily.
- Increase the dosage by 50mg per dose every 1-2 weeks.
- Target doses between 200-500 mg twice a day if there are no adverse symptoms.
CBD Dosage for Children
Physicians may prescribe low doses for children who exhibit less severe epilepsy and seizure symptoms to see whether the patient can handle it. For those with more severe symptoms, high-dose administration is typical.
Low Dosage Protocols in Children
- Begin with 0.25 mg/pound of the child’s weight/day.
- Use a minimum dose of 10 mg.
- Target an average dose of 1-3 mg/pound of the child’s weight/day.
- Increase the amount by 0.5 mg/pound of the child’s weight/day, rounding off to the nearest 10 mg if there are no side effects.
- Target doses of 1-5 mg/pound of the child’s weight/day.
- Higher doses may be effective but come with side effects, including dry eyes, dry mouth, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
High Dosage Protocols in Children
- Begin with 0.5mg/pound of the child’s weight/day.
- Target an average dose of 1-3 mg/pound of the child’s weight/day.
- Increase the quantity by 0.5 mg/pound of the child’s weight/day every 1-2 weeks as long as there are no side effects.
- Target doses between 1-5 mg/pound of the child’s weight /day.
- If the child experiences side effects, leave more time between increases and gradually up the dosage.
CBD Dosage for Pets
CBD may be an effective treatment option for dogs and other animals suffering from seizures. A study of the compound in epileptic human patients showed that CBD reduced seizure frequency and severity, suggesting it might also help reduce these symptoms in canine epilepsy sufferers.
When it comes to CBD for pets, the dosage is different depending on the size of your pet. Larger dogs, for instance, require a higher dose than smaller ones since their metabolism can convert CBD more quickly.
Contact the product manufacturer if you have any doubt about how much CBD oil will be best for your pet’s weight or breed. They have all the necessary details to help you determine what amount would benefit your pet most effectively.
Also, remember to consult your veterinarian before starting your furry friend on any new medication or substance, including CBD oil or pet treats.
Where to Buy CBD Oil for Epilepsy and Seizures
CBD oil is available widely from reputable online retailers such as SUPA Naturals and physical dispensaries. These outlets offer a wide range of cannabis products. CBD oil quality standards and extraction methods vary, affecting purity levels and price points.
One of the best ways to know the quality of what you’re buying is by consulting customer reviews. Also, look for the extraction method used to produce the CBD oil. CO2 extraction is best, and make sure to read the Certificates of Analysis (COA) and complete third-party lab reports. This will give you peace of mind knowing exactly where your CBD oil came from.
At SUPA Naturals, we only use CO2-extracted, independently lab-tested CBD oil for all our topical and edible products. We make a point of using full-spectrum US-grown hemp that is organic and free of pesticides. You can be sure of receiving a high-quality product at a reasonable price in approximately 2-3 business days when you order with us.
Shop online today to enjoy premium CBD products that relieve symptoms of epilepsy and other conditions.
A Final Word on CBD Oil for Epilepsy and Seizures
CBD oil is a new treatment that can help control seizures in adults and children. It’s still unknown how CBD affects those with epilepsy, so it should not replace traditional treatments as we learn more about the benefits of this alternative medicine.
Although CBD oil has the only FDA-approved treatment to date (Epidiolex), it is prudent to use caution when opting for this treatment. To get the most out of using CBD oil for your symptoms, remember to start with a low dosage and slowly increase it as you see how well it works.
If you want to find out more about CBD oil and how it can help treat epilepsy and seizures, speak with your doctor for advice on whether or not this cannabis-based product is right for you.
