Marijuana has long been thought of as a harmless recreational drug, with many users believing it has medicinal benefits as well. However, recent studies suggest that marijuana use can increase the risk of seizures, even in those with no history of epilepsy or other neurological conditions. This article will explore the potential connection between marijuana use and seizures, as well as the potential implications for those who choose to use the drug. We’ll look at what the research has to say and what steps people can take to reduce the risk of seizures.
What are the effects of marijuana use on people prone to seizures?
Using marijuana can have a variety of effects on people prone to seizures, depending on the type of seizure disorder and how much marijuana is used. Short-term effects can include increased anxiety, confusion, and paranoia. Long-term effects can include an increased risk of seizures, as well as impaired memory, coordination, and learning. Additionally, marijuana use can increase the frequency and intensity of seizures in people with epilepsy.
Does CBD oil have any effect on preventing or reducing seizures?
No, CBD oil does not have any effect on preventing or reducing seizures. In fact, certain types of cannabis can increase the risk of seizures, as the active ingredients in cannabis can interact with certain medications that are used to treat seizures. Therefore, it is best to consult with a doctor before using cannabis for seizure prevention or treatment.
Can using marijuana trigger a seizure in someone with no prior history of epilepsy?
There is limited evidence that suggests that marijuana can trigger a seizure in someone with no prior history of epilepsy. However, this is not a common occurrence, and there is no definitive answer to this question as of yet. There is still much research to be done to determine whether or not marijuana can truly cause seizures.
Are there any long-term health risks associated with marijuana use and seizures?
Yes, marijuana use can increase the risk of seizures, especially when used in high quantities. Long-term marijuana use has been linked to an increased risk of seizures due to changes in brain chemistry and increased levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Additionally, marijuana use has been linked to potential cognitive and psychiatric impairments, including depression and anxiety. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with marijuana use and seizures.
Are there any medical studies that show a link between marijuana use and seizures?
Yes, there is evidence that marijuana use can increase the risk of seizures in some people, particularly those with pre-existing seizure disorders. A number of medical studies have found that marijuana use can increase the frequency and severity of seizures in those with epilepsy. For example, a study published in the journal Epilepsy & Behavior in 2014 found that marijuana use was associated with an increased risk of seizures in individuals with a history of epilepsy.
August 4, – By Bruce Goldman. Ivan Soltesz and his colleagues have found that a marijuana-like compound in the brain calms epileptic seizures but also increases memory loss. Steve Fisch. A marijuana-like chemical in the brain, mirroring its plant-based counterpart, packs both ups and downs. This substance is called 2-arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG, and has the beneficial effect of damping down seizure intensity. The similarly rapid breakdown of 2-AG after its release, the researchers found, trips off a cascade of biochemical reactions culminating in blood-vessel constriction in the brain and, in turn, the disorientation and amnesia that typically follow an epileptic seizure. Ivan Soltesz , PhD, professor of neurosurgery, shares senior authorship with G. About one in every hundred people has epilepsy. Epileptic seizures can be described as an electrical storm in the brain. These storms typically begin at a single spot where nerve cells begin repeatedly firing together in synchrony. The hyperactivity often spreads from that one spot to other areas throughout the brain, causing symptoms such as loss of consciousness and convulsions. The majority of epileptic seizures originate in the hippocampus, a brain structure buried in the temporal lobe, said Soltesz, the James R. Doty Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences. The hippocampus plays an outsized role in short-term memory, learning and spatial orientation. Its ability to quickly adopt new neuronal firing patterns renders it especially vulnerable to glitches that initiate seizures. Most epileptic seizures in adults begin in or near the hippocampus, Soltesz noted. In the study, Soltesz and his associates monitored split-second changes in levels of 2-AG in the hippocampus of mice during periods of normal activity, like walking or running, and in experiments in which brief seizures were induced in the hippocampus. Endocannabinoids are understood to play a role in inhibiting excessive excitement in the brain. While smoking marijuana floods the entire brain with relatively long-lasting THC, endocannabinoids are released in precise spots in the brain under precise circumstances, and their rapid breakdown leaves them in place and active for extremely short periods of time, said Soltesz, who has been studying the connection between endocannabinoids and epilepsy for decades. The most recent study had its start when Soltesz learned of a new endocannabinoid-visualization method invented by study co-author Yulong Li, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at Peking University in Beijing. The method involves the bioengineering of select neurons in mice so that these neurons express a modified version of CB1 that emits a fluorescent glow whenever a cannabinoid binds to the modified endocannabinoid receptor. The fluorescence can be detected by photosensitive instruments. Using this new tool, the scientists could monitor and localize sub-second changes in fluorescence that correlate with endocannabinoid levels where that binding was occurring. By blocking enzymes critical to the production and breakdown of different endocannabinoids, the researchers proved that 2-AG alone is the endocannabinoid substance whose surges and rapid disappearance track neuronal activity in the mice. Several hundred times as much 2-AG was released when a mouse was having a seizure compared with when it was merely running in place. The researchers were able to rule out the involvement of an alternative endocannabinoid, anandamide, that many neuroscientists and pharmacologists had assumed was the active substance. But 2-AG is almost immediately converted to arachidonic acid, a building block for inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins. Oxygen deprivation is known to produce the cognitive deficits disorientation, memory loss that occur after a seizure, Soltesz said. Other researchers at the University of Calgary, as well as researchers at Vanderbilt University, contributed to the work. A dedicated page provides the latest information and developments related to the pandemic. Stanford Medicine News 07 Endocannabinoids and epilepsy Story. Marijuana-like brain substance calms seizures but increases aftereffects, study finds. Electrical storm in the brain About one in every hundred people has epilepsy. Zeroing in on 2-AG By blocking enzymes critical to the production and breakdown of different endocannabinoids, the researchers proved that 2-AG alone is the endocannabinoid substance whose surges and rapid disappearance track neuronal activity in the mice. Email him at goldmanb stanford. Stanford Medicine Magazine. The most mysterious organ.
By Stephen Matthews For Mailonline. Smoking super-strength cannabis or spice may trigger life-threatening seizures, researchers have warned. Trials on mice showed seizures can be induced by both THC – which causes the high in marijuana, and JWH – the main component of spice.