Medical Marijuana For Epilepsy In Alabama

What Many Patients Already Knew That Medical Marijuana Could Treat Epilepsy - Science is Finally Catching Up

Healthline notes that marijuana was used as a treatment for epilepsy as far back as medieval times, but that scientific research into cannabis’ medical value had all but halted in more modern times. 

 

Banned in all states until roughly a decade ago, and still banned at the federal level, marijuana has not traditionally been well studied because of all of the legal headaches involved in doing so.

 

However, what domestic research there has been, combined with international findings, supports what many epilepsy sufferers have been reporting anecdotally for years: Cannabis can be an effective treatment for epilepsy.

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CBD vs. Medical Marijuana For Epilepsy

In fact, a peer-reviewed article in the medical journal Cureus examined large-scale studies conducted from 1978 to 2017 and concluded “that CBD use resulted in a significant reduction in seizure frequency.” Furthermore, the researchers concluded that adverse side effects were overall minor and improved with continued use or dosage modifications. 

And in a 2018 article published in Epilepsia: The Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy reviewed previous clinical and case studies and concluded that as effective as CBD might be, it is possibly inferior to treatment using more complete cannabis ingredients, such as the one-two punch of CBD and THC found in medical marijuana.

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How Does Medical Marijuana Treat Epilepsy?

Both CBD and THC bind to pain receptors in the brain, blocking the reception of pain signals and making them effective pain relievers. But they also appear to bind to more than just pain receptors, working on other signaling systems within the brain and providing anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Scientists aren’t sure yet exactly how medical marijuana helps lessen the severity and frequency of seizures, but the leading hypothesis right now is that CBD and THC block signals related to seizures.

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Side-Effects of Treating Epilepsy with Medical Marijuana

Healthline notes that enthusiasm for medical marijuana as a treatment for epilepsy has been more prevalent among patients than researchers, largely because researchers would like to see more data gathered about the side effects.

 

There are concerns about continuity of dosing, cognitive effects, and interactions with medications. Which is why patients should always use cannabis to treat their epilepsy under the supervision of a doctor.

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So is Medical Marijuana Right for My Epilepsy?

Deciding if medical marijuana might be right for you can be a difficult choice to make. You may have a lot of questions, and there are a few unknowns. 

 

Fortunately, you don’t have to decide on your own. Let us connect you with one of our qualified and compassionate doctors. Together, the two of you can decide how to safely approach medical marijuana given your condition.

 

Reserve an evaluation today, and just as soon as Alabama’s medical marijuana program is up and running, we’ll set you up with an appointment with one of our doctors. You’ll also save $25 off the cost of your evaluation!

 

You’ll meet with your marijuana doctor virtually via your smartphone, computer, or tablet, so you can decide if medical marijuana might be the treatment you’ve been seeking, all from the safety and convenience of your own home.