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CBD and epilepsy
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3 min
Epilepsy in a nutshell…
The word epilepsy comes from the Greek word "epilambanein," meaning " to take by surprise ." Indeed, although this neurological discheckout presents itself in many forms, their common characteristic remains its unpredictable nature.
Approximately 500,000 people in France have epilepsy , and although medicine offers drug solutions, none allows for a complete cure, but rather for limiting seizures and their intensity in some cases.
Forms of epilepsy:
Epilepsy [1] is linked to abnormal electrical activity of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex, resulting in a temporary disruption of communication between neurons.
We speak of generalized seizures when they affect the entire brain (one third of patients) and of partial seizures when they affect a specific area of the brain (two-thirds of patients):
1/ Generalized epilepsy is itself multifaceted since it can present itself in the form of so-called tonic-clonic seizures (the most spectacular seizure marked by convulsions, falls, cries…), absences (a few losses of consciousness per week) or myoclonic seizures (brief muscle jerks in full consciousness).
2/ Partial epilepsy, on the other hand, does not affect the entire cortex. Symptoms differ depending on the affected area and are often characterized by contractions, spasms, or mood changes.
Partial epilepsy is considered simple when there is no loss of consciousness. Partial epilepsy is considered complex when there is an alteration of consciousness (for example, the person performs automatic movements).
The causes of epilepsy:
Based on an international classification of syndromes, idiopathic epilepsies (10 to 15% of cases) of genetic origin and therefore without apparent causesfrom symptomatic epilepsies resulting from lesions located in the brain or from a diffuse phenomenon and resulting from cerebral vascular damage (stroke), tumor, infectious disease such as meningitis or prenatal lesion.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is made using an EEG (electroencephalogram) and, in the case of symptomatic epilepsies, also with the help of magnetic resonance imaging.
Epilepsy treatment:
The patient must be monitored by a doctor because inappropriate treatment can worsen epilepsy. There are cases where epilepsy resolves and others where it persists (drug-resistant epilepsy).
Given the violence and unpredictability of the crises, the patient will often develop anxiety and/or depression, and in this case should also be followed by a psychologist.
The benefits of CBD on epilepsy
Firstly, and moreover because it is a serious illness, any usaof CBD must be subject to the advice of a doctor.
Scientific evidence of CBD's effectiveness:
Several scientific studies on the impact of CBD oilusaon epilepsy have been conducted2]
Depending on the form of epilepsy, the reduction in seizures varies from 42% for atonic seizures (seizures that can cause a fall) and 51% for convulsive seizures.
These 3 studies were carried out with a CBD oil dosed at 10%, i.e. 100mg/ml.
In addition, in the case of refractory or drug-resistant epilepsies (epileptics with seizures that do not respond satisfactorily to antiepileptic drugs, i.e. about 30% of patients), a reduction in seizures of at least 50% is observed in 40 to 50% of all cases studied.
However, it should be noted that individuals suffering from other forms of epilepsy, such as focal epilepsy of structural origin (due to brain damage) or idiopathic generalized epilepsy (idiopathic: the epilepsy is not the result of something else, it is the disease itself), have not yet been specifically studied. This results in uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of CBD in their case. [2]
While taking CBD seems to improve the situation of patients in a significant number of cases, however, as mentioned in the preamble, it is imperative to seek the prior advice of one's doctor.
Finally, in addition to its effect on the number and intensity of seizures, CBD, due to its anxiolytic effect, can also play an important calming role in this aspect of the disease [3]. Indeed, whether before, after, or between seizures, depression and anxiety often affect people with epilepsy.
Sources
- [1]
- [2]
- [3]
