How Medical Marijuana Can Help Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, and there are about 3.4 million people living with this condition in the United States. Right now there is no cure, but thankfully, there are ways to manage this condition to keep seizures and side effects at bay. One such treatment is medical marijuana, which is now available in Georgia!
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a chronic, neurological disease that causes recurrent seizures. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, an estimated 65 million people worldwide are living with the condition, and 1 in 26 people nationwide will develop epilepsy at some point in their lives. A diagnosis comes if a person has two or more seizures without an apparent, treatable, or reversible cause.
Under the umbrella of epilepsy, there are many different types of seizures. The two major categories of seizures are generalized seizures, which affect both sides of the brain, and focal seizures, which start in one area of the brain.
How Medical Marijuana Can Help Epilepsy and Other Seizure Disorders
Currently, the most widely prescribed treatment for epilepsy is prescription medication. Despite the wide variety of medications available, many patients can still suffer from symptoms even while using medication. Those that choose to treat their epilepsy with medication often experience unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, sleep disturbances, skin rashes, memory problems, and more.
Also, roughly a third of people with epilepsy have treatment-resistant epilepsy which means that traditional medications do not work for their condition. Without a way to manage seizures, epilepsy can be a highly debilitating disease.
Studies on medical marijuana for epilepsy treatment have shown that cannabidiol is effective at controlling and reducing seizures. Cannabidiol (CBD) will not produce the “high” that many people associate with marijuana, as it is a non-psychoactive substance that does not seriously impact one’s mental state.
Instead, CBD works with receptors in the body and affects pain, inflammation, and anxiety. CBD also functions as an anticonvulsant. This is a great solution for those who are looking for the benefits of medical marijuana and also not experience the “high.”
A study published in The Lancet Neurology in 2015 examined the impact of CBD on treatment-resistant types of epilepsy. This study showed that CBD can reduce seizure frequency!
The fact that CBD has been proven effective for treatment-resistant types of epilepsy opens the door for thousands of people who previously were living with epilepsy without any way to manage their symptoms. Researchers found minimal adverse effects related to the CBD treatment which is much better than what comes with prescription medications.
Medical Marijuana Provides a New Kind of Treatment for Patients With Epilepsy
The efficacy of medical marijuana for treating epilepsy is very promising. If you or someone you love is living with epilepsy and is interested in the benefits of CBD, discuss medical marijuana with your doctor. If you would like to learn more about medical marijuana and take the first step towards treating epilepsy with CBD, please reach out. We’re here to help!
Get Your Georgia Medical Marijuana Card Today!
Click here to learn more about what Georgia Marijuana Card's state-certified medical marijuana doctors can do for you, or give us a call at (877) 305-5563. Our friendly support team can walk you through the entire process. Schedule your evaluation appointment with us today!