Medical cannabis is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for many conditions. It has been used for centuries as a natural treatment of pain and other associated conditions.
Cannabis contains active ingredients known as cannabinoids – the two major ones being Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the euphoric “high” feeling, and Cannabidiol (CBD), which can have relaxing, anti-anxiety effects.
Some other cannabinoids found in cannabis are cannabinol, cannabicyclol, cannabidiol, and different miscellaneous types – all of which have differing effects on the human body.
For centuries, cannabis has been used to control seizures. It is even included in the American Epilepsy Society’s list of treatments for epileptic patients.
Doctors currently prescribe Cannabis-based drugs to control epilepsy. Researchers have found that cannabinoids reduce the rate of convulsions considerably when taken with other anticonvulsant drugs. It is also possible that cannabinoids work by themselves in treating epilepsy – unlike traditional epilepsy treatments, which act primarily on nerve endings to reduce seizure activity.
Cannabis-based medicines are currently used to limit side effects caused by anti-epileptic drugs like phenobarbital and ethosuximide. Many epilepsy patients also report that they use cannabis as self-medication without the knowledge of doctors. According to statistics, epileptic patients who smoke cannabis experience fewer seizures than those who do not.
Research suggests that a cannabinoid receptor in the brain controls how a person’s body reacts to fits and seizures. The active ingredients in cannabis are a beneficial natural treatment for epilepsy, reducing the rate of convulsions and allowing patients to take a lower dose of their other anti-convulsive drugs.
As cannabis becomes more mainstream, it’s important to understand the various ways in which cannabinoids can help people. We’ve outlined just a few of the many benefits of cannabinoids, but there are sure to be more discovered as research continues. If you or someone you know suffers from epilepsy, chronic pain, or any other ailment that could benefit from cannabinoid treatment, please let us know. We would love to help connect you with the best possible care.
