Seventeen states now have what’s called LIMITED ACCESS MARIJUANA PRODUCT LAWS that allow for (LOW THC/HIGH CBD- CANNABIDIOL) to be used in the treatment of seizures. In this piece, I want to raise some questions about marijuana and the use of it for seizures.
Marijuana over-activates parts of the brain that contain the highest number of receptors. This causes the "high" that users feel. However, any type of (biochemical) modification of these (metabotropic) receptors can cause increased excitability and may lead to seizures. (1)
With all of the information I found online, in just a matter of a few hours, why would those 17 states approve Marijuana for such treatment-but not for proven treatments such as anxiety or other mental disorders that may use its euphoric feeling for medical use?
One study by the Mayo Clinic (2) only gives it a C Grade and states that“Early studies suggest that marijuana taken with anti-seizure drugs may lower seizure risk in people with epilepsy. However, the evidence is limited. More research is needed on whether marijuana may be effective in treating epilepsy.” A second article by one of the leading authorities on health care goes on to advise to“Use cautiously in people who are at risk of seizure or those using anti-seizure drugs. Marijuana may cause seizures, when used with high THC levels." (3)
There are many uses that have been confirmed successful for medical marijuana that do not have such conflicting reports. The question now is, for the many states that have legislative approval for this drug to be used by people for these conditions:
- Have they truly done the research for epilepsy and seizures to authorize its continued use?
- What are the consequences for self-medication when street marijuana has higher THC levels than medical grade?
- Does the THC level even matter when its composition may cause seizures at any level of THC? More research has to be done across the board?
Sources:
Basic Mechanisms Underlying Seizures and Epilepsy http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2510/
Drugs and Supplements /Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) – Epilepsy
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/marijuana/evidence/hrb-20059701
Drugs and Supplements /Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) – Safety
http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/marijuana/safety/hrb-20059701