CBD oil for epilepsy is a new form of therapy. Reviews indicate that CBD can help to ease the symptoms of epilepsy. At the moment, there is also a prescription drug which has been approved by the FDA for this. But can CBD Oil effectively treat epilepsy? And what are the side effects and safety concerns?

What is CBD Oil?

This is one of the most popular components of the cannabis plant. CBD Oil is an extract which has a wide range of properties including anti-seizure and anti-inflammatory. CBD’s effectiveness to positively interact with the endocannabinoid system is what makes it great.

Can CBD Oil Treat Epilepsy?

Medical cannabis has a wide range of positive effects. One of the CBD oil benefits is treating epilepsy. This compound contains anti-seizure properties. As a result, it helps to reduce the intensity and frequency of seizures.

Note that epileptic seizures are as a result of erratic electrical activity. The brain fails to handle this activity effectively. As a result, it spreads to other parts of the body. You will notice that an epileptic normally experiences uncontrolled physical movement. Besides that, they may also experience alterations of consciousness. Conventional drugs are designed to slow down the effect of excitatory nerve activity in the brain.

CBD can treat specific types of epilepsy. They include dravet syndrome and LSG. With its anti-seizure property, it changes certain biochemical effects in the brain’s nerve cells. This impacts the intensity and frequency of the seizures.

In June 2018, the FDA approved the use of Epidiolex. This is a cannabidiol drug that treats seizures. It’s designed for two forms of epilepsy that are hard to treat. These are the Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Epidiolex is a drug that children over the age of 2 years and adults can use.

Treatment of Other Types of Seizures

Apart from epilepsy, this compound can also treat other types of seizures. This includes refractory seizures which can’t be controlled by anti-seizure drugs. Because there is little research regarding the full effects of CBD, a lot still needs to be done. It’s not clear, at this point, if CBD can treat other forms of seizures.

Safety and Side Effects

Cannabis is general has side effects. This normally arises from the way it’s administered. For example, those who smoke or vape it may end up with lung irritations. Besides that, they may experience a dry mouth effect. Common CBD oil side effects include:

Sleeping difficulties

Drowsiness and general fatigue.

Vomiting and diarrhea.

Weakness

Rashes

Decreased appetite

Fever and upper respiratory tract infection

Severe Side Effects

The above-mentioned side effects are usually mild. They also occur during the first two weeks. This is because the body is still trying to adjust to the new changes. However, you may also experience more severe side effects such as:

Mood changes: anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Symptoms of liver injury: vomiting, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, and jaundice.

In case you notice these side effects, seek medical attention as soon as you can.

CBD and Drug Interactions

The full extent of CBD’s side effects is still not clear. However, it interacts with certain drugs. In some instances, it can raise the blood level of banzel and reduce the level of onfi. These are two anti-seizure drugs. Besides that, it can cause elevated liver enzymes whose symptoms could be a liver injury.

Over-the-Counter CBD Products

There are many products that contain CBD in the market. Some are designed for seizure control. With the 2018 Farm Bull making hemp products legal at the federal level, the use of CBD products will grow. But consumers should know that the FDA does not regulate these products. So, most of them are largely untested.

This means that these products may be mislabeled. Some of them may not effectively deliver the benefits. Additionally, some of them may contain high THC content. This may lead to a “high” feeling. If you are an epileptic patient, this may lead to serious side effects. The seizures may be more severe.

Note that the FDA has previously issued warnings to many CBD businesses for illegal practices. This is because in some cases the actual CBD content was negligible. So, before using any product, consult first with your doctor. Don’t forget to also check other customer reviews to determine the effectiveness of the brand.

Takeaway

CBD oil for epilepsy is still a new form of therapy. This means that some things need clarification. So, there is a need for more research regarding this. From Overall CBD reviews, it’s confirmed that cbd anti-seizure properties which help to minimize the effects of epilepsy.

If you are an epileptic patient, you can reap the health benefits of this cannabis compound. However, if you are planning to use it, first consult with your healthcare provider. They may advise you and refer you to the best manufacturers.

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