Cannabis affecting epilepsy? Helping or hurting?

Is cannabis a good thing to use for epilepsy? Safe,effective I'm I doing the right thing? I get immediate relief after seizures when I smoke. It's almost magic my brain comes together and I can see what happened during seizure. Instant relief of headache, disorientation, speech etc I need help not finding a lot people who have this problem, I'm I making this up?

One of my patients uses cannabis for his epilepsy. He shakes so much that he is unable to roll his own joints. When I deliver his weekly dosage I make sure it is rolled for him. He says that smoking cannabis works wonders for his shakes. It doesn't seem to prevent his seizures but it helps the after effects such as headaches and disorientation. If it helps you than go with it friend.

The first actual medical user (before there was medical use) that I met was an epileptic. He told me he could cut his meds in half when he had pot and still be seizure-free!

Here is what I have on my home List on epilepsy-

Marijuana and Epilepsy (anecdotal- no date)
at Rxmarihuana.com

Anti-epileptic Action of Marijuana-Active Substances (full - 1949)
http://www.mikuriya.com/s3_6.pdf

Anticonvulsant nature of marihuana smoking. (abst - 1975)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

Anticonvulsant activity of four oxygenated cannabidiol derivatives. (abst – 1975) Anticonvulsant activity of four oxygenated cannabi... [Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. 1975] - PubMed result


Cannabidiol--antiepileptic drug comparisons and interactions in experimentally induced seizures in rats. (full - 1977)
Cannabidiol--antiepileptic drug comparisons and interactions in experimentally induced seizures in rats.

Chronic administration of cannabidiol to healthy volunteers and epileptic patients.
(abst - 1980)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

Antiepileptic potential of cannabidiol analogs. (abst - 1981)
Antiepileptic potential of cannabidiol analogs. [J Clin Pharmacol. 1981 Aug-Sep] - PubMed result

The cannabinoids as potential antiepileptics. (abst - 1981)
The cannabinoids as potential antiepileptics. [J Clin Pharmacol. 1981 Aug-Sep] - PubMed result

Hypnotic and Antiepileptic Effects of Cannabidiol (abst - 1981)
Hypnotic and antiepileptic effects of cannabidiol. [J Clin Pharmacol. 1981 Aug-Sep] - PubMed result

Anticonvulsant effects of the (-) and (+)isomers of cannabidiol and their dimethylheptyl homologs. (abst - 1982)
Anticonvulsant effects of the (-) and (+)isomers o... [Pharmacology. 1982] - PubMed result

Effects of cannabidiol on behavioral seizures caused by convulsant drugs or current in mice. (abst - 1982)
Effects of cannabidiol on behavioral seizures caus... [Eur J Pharmacol. 1982] - PubMed result

Marijuana use and the risk of new onset seizures. (full - 1992)
Marijuana use and the risk of new onset seizures.

Treatment with CBD in oily solution of drug-resistant paediatric epilepsies.
(full - 2001)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

Therapeutic Aspects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (full - 2001)
http://bjp.rcpsych.o...t/178/2/107.pdf


Anticonvulsant activity of N-palmitoylethanolamide, a putative endocannabinoid, in mice. (abst – 2001) Anticonvulsant activity of N-palmitoylethanolamide... [Epilepsia. 2001] - PubMed result

The Endogenous Cannabinoid System Regulates Seizure Frequency and Duration in a Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (full - 2003)
The Endogenous Cannabinoid System Regulates Seizure Frequency and Duration in a Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Experiences with THC-treatment in children and adolescents (abst - 2003)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

On the application of cannabis in paediatrics and epileptology. (abst - 2003)
On the application of cannabis in paediatrics and ... [Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2004 Feb-Apr] - PubMed result

Cannabis may help epileptics (news - 2003)
Cannabis may help epileptics

Cannabis 'could help epileptics' (news - 2003)
BBC NEWS | Health | Cannabis 'could help epileptics'

Marijuana Use More Prevalent With Epilepsy (needs free registration)
(news - 2003)
Medscape: Medscape Access

Endocannabinoids and Their Implications for Epilepsy (full - 2004)
Endocannabinoids and Their Implications for Epilepsy

Cannabinoids: Defending the Epileptic Brain (full - 2004)
Cannabinoids: Defending the Epileptic Brain

Marijuana use and epilepsy - Prevalence in patients of a tertiary care epilepsy center (abst - 2004)
http://www.neurology...ourcetype=HWCIT

Epilepsy patients are smoking pot (news - 2004)
ASA : Medical marijuana

Anandamide Induced Anti-Convulsion in an In Vitro Model of Epilepsy
(abst - 2005)
http://www.kau.edu.s...Med/12/Mada.pdf

Selective antiepileptic effects of N-palmitoylethanolamide, a putative endocannabinoid. (abst – 2005) Selective antiepileptic effects of N-palmitoyletha... [Epilepsia. 2004] - PubMed result


Forebrain-Specific Inactivation of Gq/G11 Family G Proteins Results in Age-Dependent Epilepsy and Impaired Endocannabinoid Formation (full - 2006)
Forebrain-Specific Inactivation of Gq/G11 Family G Proteins Results in Age-Dependent Epilepsy and Impaired Endocannabinoid Formation -- Wettschureck et al. 26 (15): 5888 -- Molecular and Cellular Biology

Not Too Excited? Thank Your Endocannabinoids (full - 2006)
ScienceDirect - Neuron : Not Too Excited? Thank Your Endocannabinoids

The Endocannabinoid System Controls Key Epileptogenic Circuits in the Hippocampus (full - 2006)
The Endocannabinoid System Controls Key Epileptogenic Circuits in the Hippocampus

Activation of the Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptor Mediates the Anticonvulsant Properties of Cannabinoids in the Hippocampal Neuronal Culture Models of Acquired Epilepsy and Status Epilepticus (full - 2006)
Activation of the Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptor Mediates the Anticonvulsant Properties of Cannabinoids in the Hippocampal Neuronal Culture Models of Acquired Epilepsy and Status Epilepticus

Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists cause status epilepticus-like activity in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of acquired epilepsy (full - 2006)
Cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists cause status epilepticus-like activity in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of acquired epilepsy

Arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide, a highly selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, enhances the anticonvulsant action of valproate in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model. (abst – 2006) Arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide, a highly selectiv... [Eur J Pharmacol. 2006] - PubMed result


Brain's Cannabinoid System 'Mellows' Seizures (news - 2006)
Brain's Cannabinoid System 'Mellows' Seizures

Downregulation of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor and Related Molecular Elements of the Endocannabinoid System in Epileptic Human Hippocampus
(full - 2007)
Downregulation of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor and Related Molecular Elements of the Endocannabinoid System in Epileptic Human Hippocampus

Endocannabinoids block status epilepticus in cultured hippocampal neurons
(full - 2007)
Endocannabinoids block status epilepticus in cultured hippocampal neurons

Development of pharmacoresistance to benzodiazepines but not cannabinoids in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of status epilepticus (full - 2007)
Development of pharmacoresistance to benzodiazepines but not cannabinoids in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of status epilepticus

Marijuana: an effective antiepileptic treatment in partial epilepsy? (abst - 2007)
Clinical Studies and Case Reports

Ultra-low dose cannabinoid antagonist AM251 enhances cannabinoid anticonvulsant effects in the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in mice. (abst – 2007) Ultra-low dose cannabinoid antagonist AM251 enhanc... [Neuropharmacology. 2007] - PubMed result


The cannabinoid anticonvulsant effect on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure is potentiated by ultra-low dose naltrexone in mice (abst – 2008) The cannabinoid anticonvulsant effect on pentylene... [Epilepsy Res. 2008] - PubMed result

The effects of intracerebroventricular AM-251, a CB1-receptor antagonist, and ACEA, a CB1-receptor agonist, on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats. (full – 2009) The effects of intracerebroventricular AM-251, a CB1-receptor antagonist, and ACEA, a CB1-receptor agonist, on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats - Kozan - 2009 - Epilepsia - Wiley Online Library

Prolonged exposure to WIN55,212-2 causes downregulation of the CB1 receptor and the development of tolerance to its anticonvulsant effects in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of acquired epilepsy. (full – 2009) Prolonged exposure to WIN55,212-2 causes down-regulation of the CB1 receptor and the development of tolerance to its anticonvulsant effects in the hippocampal neuronal culture model of acquired epilepsy

Involvement of nitrergic system in the anticonvulsant effect of the cannabinoid CB(1) agonist ACEA in the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in mice. (abst – 2009) Involvement of nitrergic system in the anticonvuls... [Epilepsy Res. 2009] - PubMed result



Effect of arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide, a selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, on the protective action of the various antiepileptic drugs in the mouse maximal electroshock-induced seizure model. (abst – 2009)Effect of arachidonyl-2'-chloroethylamide, a selec... [Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2010] - PubMed result


Cannabidiol Displays Antiepileptiform and Antiseizure Properties In Vitro and In Vivo (full - 2010)
Cannabidiol Displays Antiepileptiform and Antiseizure Properties In Vitro and In Vivo

Cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of recurrent excitatory circuitry in the dentate gyrus in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. (full – 2010)Cannabinoid-Mediated Inhibition of Recurrent Excitatory Circuitry in the Dentate Gyrus in a Mouse Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy


Delta-Tetrahydrocannabivarin suppresses in vitro epileptiform and in vivo seizure activity in adult rats. (abst - 2010)
Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabivarin suppresses in vitro epil... [Epilepsia. 2010] - PubMed result

Anticonvulsant effects of GWP42006 in vitro and in vivo in rat (abst - 2010)http://www.physoc.or...siol Soc 19C117



Dynamic changes of CB1-receptor expression in hippocampi of epileptic mice and humans. (abst – 2010) Dynamic changes of CB1-receptor expression in hipp... [Epilepsia. 2010] - PubMed result



Endocannabinoid system protects against cryptogenic seizures. (full – 2011) http://www.if-pan.kr.../2011/1_165.pdf



Cannabis could help treat epilepsy (news – 2011) Cannabis could help treat epilepsy - World News, 186693


Cannabis could be used to treat epilepsy (news – 2011)Cannabis could be used to treat epilepsy - Telegraph


Protective effects of CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55.212-2 in seizure activity in the model of temporal lobe epilepsy (abst – 2011)
Unbound MEDLINE | [Protective effects of CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55.212-2 in seizure activity in the model of temporal lobe epilepsy]. PubMed Journal article abstract

Synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 mesylate enhances the protective action of four classical antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice.
(abst – 2011)
Unbound MEDLINE | Synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 mesylate enhances the protective action of four classical antiepileptic drugs against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice. PubMed Journal article abstract

Is cannabis a good thing to use for epilepsy? Safe,effective I'm I doing the right thing? I get immediate relief after seizures when I smoke. It's almost magic my brain comes together and I can see what happened during seizure. Instant relief of headache, disorientation, speech etc I need help not finding a lot people who have this problem, I'm I making this up?

Same here.

Like night and day.

Have you told your doctors about this effect??? Do it! Most doctors know very little about cannabis! In a Canadian survey, the doctors admitted that most of what they knew about cannabis came from their patients! WE ARE THE EXPERTS!


Granny

Have you told your doctors about this effect??? Do it! Most doctors know very little about cannabis! In a Canadian survey, the doctors admitted that most of what they knew about cannabis came from their patients! WE ARE THE EXPERTS!

Granny

I've been very open with my past few doctors. Have had many closed minded ones who ignore things and a few very good doctors who are open for discussion and yes trying to take in experiences etc. From their patients. The more time talked about gives more incentive for the doctor to research more on the issue. The doctor I have now, there's always discussion every visit, it's time to figure things out.

Hi, I just joined the forum!

This is a great point of reference! I have MS for 2yrs, and had a seizure nearly 6months ago....anyway bla bla bla....

I have however been smoking weed for 11years - constantly and continuously!! I read somewhere on this site that 'we are teh experts' and I think after all these years smoking I could tell the doctor a thing or two about it not vis-versa.

What I would like to know if anyone has experienced with anti-convulsants EXTRA relaxing?!?! I read somewhere that Cannabis could increase the effect of the anit-C therefore making sensations of relaxing hightened? It's either true or I am getting paranoid!!! (both quite possibly?!)


Any thoughts would help me as the doctors knows sod all really when it comes to specifics like this!!

Kristina

Wow! Awesome thread! I have been looking for information on Epilepsy and Lyme disease and MMJ for a long time. These articles are so so so helpful.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2000 and have smoked since then. MMJ has helped tremendously with my shaking and twitching. It's calming effects do a great deal of help when my nerves feel like they are on fire.

The Lyme disease I have had for approximately 30 years. There are times that I can't get out bed or play my instruments. My eyes and ears become very sensitive and even watching TV or reading a book hurts. I started a thread about Lyme on the GC forums. I have never encountered any Lyme and MMJ users. If you are interested in learning about Lyme Netflix has a video called 'Under Our Skin'.

At the moment I am in bed in pain and typing slooowly on my iPhone. I have thought about going to an MMJ state but I can't. I live on social security and have Medicaid. My social security can't even pay for my food and I am forced to live underneath my parents house. I am 32. This is not the life I wanted and if Marijuana helps with pain, arthritis, anti-inflammatory, and my other neurological problems as a result of my illnesses.

I live in a illegal state. I am forced to drive and get herb. It is of 'OK' quality but far from medical grade superior buds I have smoked. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

Does anyone know where I can find more medical research and reports perhaps pertaining to Lyme, or a central source of all MMJ data?

There are no studies on Lyme and cannabis at PubMed. This is all I have found that is more than just a passing reference!

Lyme Disease by Cynkay Morningstar (anecdotal – no date)
Lyme Disease by Cynkay Morningstar

Cannabis Alleviates Symptoms of Lyme Disease! (news – 2010)
Cannabis Alleviates Symptoms of Lyme Disease!

I am still looking for more.

Thanks for that. I will also look for more and try to place them on my thread that's in my signature.

FYI - I just read an article in High Times Medical Marijuana Summer 2011 mag about a person in Canada who sued the government and won. Even though MM is legal in Canada apparently they don't make it easy for you to get approved and picking up the meds. He was controlling his seizures with MM and then they cut him off and I think it was a renewal of certification that was backed up. He was forced to go back on the pharmaceuticals until he was approved again. Anyway see if you can find it.

Here is an interesting link on various strains for epilepsy...

Good For Epilepsy | Medical Marijuana Strains

I forget what medical marijuana documentary I was watching, but there was some dude at a MMJ rally who said that he had been smoking daily for over 10 years and had only had one seizure, when before that he had seizures very regularly. Then he said the only seizure he had was on the only day he didn't smoke weed in the past 10 years.

Pretty nuts.

Totally- if marijuana is used as an anti-convulsant it has to be used as a daily regimen like any other drug for seizures, anxiety etc. I have missed dosages and have had seizures within a day and a half to two days.

That's why safe access is a necessity because if you have a patient like this man and his dispensary gets taken down, or a delay in his application for renewal of his card. This is going to be a long time battle and once it gets truly recognized as a drug the gov't will fuck it up by involving pharmaceutical companies.

And one more thing - You cannot overdose on marijuana. I OD'd on my anti-convulsants forgetting that I had already taken them. I went psychotic. By parents had to travel to my apartment and make sure I was ok. Which I wasn't.

Edited by eastcoast22, 12 July 2011 - 06:06 PM.

my girlfriend has a seizure disorder and a cavernous angioma that gives her debilitating migraines along with a plethora of other nasty symptoms. she. she has been on heavy meds to treat each of these problems since she was a young child. in recent year she has also been getting absent seizures which basically looks like her passing out. she was at the point where she wasn't able to be alone ever, weather at home or out. this was difficult because we live in a city without a car, its also no way to live. so her meds were changed and strengthened constantly but this never really solves the problem because the side effects are so bad that she would stray away from taking them. she also had conflicts because of her bipolar disorder. several anti-seizure med cannot be taken with anti-psychotics for risk of death. Her medical problems were so drastic that she was unable to attend college or work on a regular basis. today she is on no prescribed medicine for headaches, migraines or seizures. she smokes a little every morning and how every much we feel like smoking at night. the only seizure she had in the last year was when we didn't have weed on vacation. this used to be a problem that was on the front of our minds day in and day out. sure the problems are still there but her symptoms are all but gone. she gets the occasional migraine but her life is nothing like it used to be.

Dear lord. Wow. It's such a shame when you can't travel internationally with it.

I remember my first airplane ride after I started getting seizures, I had one as soon as I walked off the plane.

Dear lord. Wow. It's such a shame when you can't travel internationally with it.

I remember my first airplane ride after I started getting seizures, I had one as soon as I walked off the plane.

I was amazed at how quickly she had problems after not smoking.

THC disappears fast because it is smoked. I.e eating it will prolong the weeds effectiveness. Even if you smoke a lot it metabolizes quickly. For everyday tokers it gets stored in your fat but will not continue to work. All anti convulsive Meds last longer than herb does in your system.

That's why smoking it gives you immediate results. It's the best delivery system for quick results.

im glade i came upon this i have had epilepsy for 4 years now starting when i was 17 (21 now) iv had over 10 seizures in the 4 years, doc said its from severe head trauma, witch iv had over 15 concussions ( used to race motocross), anyways haven't seen anything with strains pointed toward epilepsy

You can check out the link a few posts above, it lists a few strains. Obviously you want something to cool your brain down. Are you a seasoned smoker?