Seizures and epilepsy are two different things. They can be caused by a variety of factors, such as drug abuse or brain injury. However, the most common cause is seizures due to epileptic disorders. People who suffer from these types of seizures often turn to CBD for relief because it has been shown to help reduce seizure frequency in many patients.
In recent years, the use of CBD for seizures has become more and more popular. In fact, it is estimated that between 50-100 people per day are using CBD as a treatment option to reduce seizure frequency. This article will go into detail about what CBD dosage is, how it works, and why you should consider giving it a try if you or someone close to you suffers from epilepsy or another type of seizure disorder.
What Are Seizures and Why Do They Happen?
A seizure happens when the brain’s electrical system shorts and causes an irregular and unusual burst of activity in the brain that interrupts normal functioning. From what we can tell, there is no one single cause for most seizures; instead, most seizures are caused by a number of factors such as environmental toxins, injuries, drugs/alcohol, and hormonal changes.
There are many different types of seizures, some result in convulsions and other more subtle effects like staring into space. While there isn’t one single cause for most seizures, they do tend to run in the family. They can also be triggered by certain conditions such as changes in sleep patterns, stress levels or lack thereof (for example after a long illness), and brain injuries.
Seizure Symptoms
Seizure symptoms are often visible to the outside world, but not always easy to understand. A person might suddenly stiffen up, jerk their limbs or sudden muscle movements, have a blank stare or sometimes drool or fling their head about. Sometimes, however, seizures are completely invisible to the outside world without some sort of diagnostic testing.
If you are wondering if someone is having a seizure, there are certain signs that can help clue you in. Most seizures last only about one to two minutes before the person begins returning back to themselves. If this seems like too long of an episode for your liking, it’s time to call 911!
What Should I Do During/After A Seizure?
Protect them from injuries and put something soft (like a pillow) underneath their head. If they are in danger of falling off of something, guide them to the ground slowly so as not to cause injury. Remove anything around them that might injure or hurt them such as sharp objects or hot drinks/pipes etc. Stay with the person until they are completely back to normal, watch out for signs of a concussion or other damage.
Do not hold them down unless you fear that something may cause physical harm to themselves or someone else. Do not attempt to put anything in their mouth either as it could block the airway and suffocate them! Stay calm during this time because panicking will only make the situation worse.
How To Reduce Seizure Frequency With CBD?
There are a lot of ways to reduce seizure frequency with CBD, and it’s going to be different for every single person. We’re not going to tell you how long you need to take CBD oil or what dosage will work for you just yet – but we’ll get there soon. First, let’s talk a little bit about the endocannabinoid system and how CBD interacts with it.
The Endocannabinoid System & Why It Matters for Seizures
The human body is naturally attuned to interacting with cannabinoids; this means that we produce our own natural cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids), which play roles in a wide variety of functions such as mood, memory, appetite, and pain sensation.
In a healthy person with an intact endocannabinoid system (ECS), these natural cannabinoids exist in perfect harmony to regulate the body’s internal systems – mostly by suppressing excitability when overactive and reducing it when under-active. Sometimes though, our ECS can get overwhelmed with external factors such as stress or illness and this can lead to conditions like seizures.
CBD for Seizures: How It Works & What to Do
Now that you understand a little bit of our endocannabinoid system, we’re going to talk about how CBD works in the body to reduce seizure frequency. The first thing you should know is that CBD has no psychoactive effects like THC does (in other words, it won’t make you high).
CBD interacts with the CB-receptors in our body and activates them; this suppresses both excitatory and inhibitory signals from reaching their point of destination. When activated, receptor sites can reduce the amount of excitation and inhibition that reaches the brain to reduce seizure frequency.
CBD can also impact non-endocannabinoid receptors, such as adenosine receptors (a type of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor) which help prevent seizures from occurring in the first place! CBD is a great natural alternative for reducing seizures because it has no psychoactive effects and interacts with the body’s own endocannabinoid system to bring it back into balance.
How Do I Take CBD For Seizures?
This can vary depending on who you ask, but in general, most people recommend taking about 25mg of CBD two or three times daily – before breakfast is a great time for it. You may have heard that you can take CBD sublingually, or under the tongue – this is true for some people but not others so it’s best to start with small doses and adjust accordingly.
Why Should You Be Cautious When Using CBD For Seizures?
It’s important to be cautious when using CBD for seizures because it can cause you to become dependent on cannabis oil. It can even make you feel like your symptoms are improving when in fact, they are not. This is because CBD has a strong anti-anxiety effect which makes you think that your symptoms are gone. Taking too much CBD oil could provoke unwanted effects such as dizziness or light-headedness which may cause seizures or fall injuries.
CBD Dosage for Treating Epilepsy
The recommended CBD oil dosage for epileptic patients is between 100mg and 150mg every day or up to 300 mg/day, if necessary, spread into three doses. The effects of the treatment often depend on the bodyweight of the patient so it’s important to consult your doctor about how much CBD oil you should take.
What Are the Benefits of Using CBD For Seizures?
Since CBD is a natural medication, it can be used to treat a variety of conditions without causing any side effects or harming your health in any way. This makes it perfect for very young children and elderly patients who cannot tolerate other treatments such as chemotherapy drugs which can be very toxic.
Possible Side Effects of Using CBD For Seizure Treatment
The side effects of CBD are minimal and the person will not get high because it does not act on the same receptors that THC does.
Precautions To Take When Taking CBD For Seizures
- People who are allergic or sensitive to cannabis should steer clear of CBD.
- If one has a history of liver malfunctions, you’ll want to avoid CBD because it does need the liver to metabolize.
- Do not take high doses if you’re pregnant-the potential effects on the baby are unknown.
- If you’re taking other medications, it’s best to consult a doctor before adding CBD.
Side Effects of Using CBD For Seizures
Side effects of using CBD dosage for seizures may include fatigue, diarrhea, and excessive yawning. CBD has also been found to increase anxiety levels in people who are prone to anxiety. It should not be used by people with psychosis or other psychological disorders.
Why Should I Try CBD Before Trying Prescription Drugs or Other Treatments?
- Prescription drugs often come with side effects that might be worse than the condition they’re treating.
- Studies show that CBD is as effective as seizure medications and doesn’t cause any side effects.
- CBD has been shown to work better than placebo and, in some cases, as well as epileptic medications.
- CBD comes with a low risk of overdose and other potential risks associated with pharmaceuticals.
Conclusion
Most people are turning to CBD for seizures because it is a natural, non-intoxicating solution that can help reduce the frequency of their seizure episodes.
The key to using CBD dosage with success is understanding how your body responds and adjusting accordingly. However, it is important to remember that CBD has not been approved by the FDA as a treatment for seizures.
Though research suggests it may be effective, there are risks of using this product without consulting with your doctor first.