I’ve Been Diagnosed With Epilepsy: Can Medical Marijuana Work for Me?

If you’re one of the nearly 3 million Americans with active epilepsy, you likely take at least one prescription medication to help prevent seizures and improve your quality of life. However, many of these drugs have side effects that can impact your energy, mood, and ability to work. As a result, some people are turning to medical marijuana as a supplementary treatment.

At MediCalm, which serves residents of Pennsylvania and New Jersey via convenient telehealth appointments, board-certified physician Kimberlee Park, DO, prescribes medical marijuana to people with epilepsy. This blog explains why people with epilepsy are exploring this option, highlights current research, and shares tips if you’re thinking about trying it yourself.

About epilepsy and medical marijuana

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that causes recurrent seizures — sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain. Sometimes, seizures result from chemical imbalances or structural abnormalities, but the cause is unknown in many cases. 

Regardless of the underlying cause, most epilepsy patients take at least one antiseizure medication to help manage their symptoms. Over the last decade, however, a growing number have started using medical marijuana as a supplementary treatment.

That’s because medical marijuana contains a compound called cannabidiol (CBD), which is believed to help regulate certain neurotransmitters involved in seizure activity. Research also suggests that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, which is important because seizures can trigger inflammation in the brain.

Some studies even indicate CBD may enhance the effectiveness of certain antiseizure medications.

While medical marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the CBD-based medication Epidiolex in 2018. The decision acknowledged cannabis-derived CBD’s ability to reduce seizure frequency in people with two rare and severe types of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

What the research says

Although the science is somewhat limited due to marijuana’s federally banned status, research suggests that CBD, one of hundreds of compounds found in the marijuana plant, is a well-tolerated and effective antiseizure treatment. 

Even so, medical marijuana isn’t necessarily the right treatment for everyone with epilepsy. Results vary significantly. Some people experience noticeable seizure relief, while others experience somewhat limited or no benefits at all. 

At the same time, product sourcing is important. Marijuana products have become increasingly potent in terms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, which is the compound in marijuana that causes a high. Because this high THC content can trigger seizures in some people, working with a qualified specialist like Dr. Park is crucial.

Is medical marijuana right for you?

Because no two epilepsy patients are exactly alike and everyone reacts to CBD differently, it’s important to get a professional’s opinion before moving forward with this treatment. We recommend talking with your neurologist or epilepsy specialist first to determine if CBD is worth exploring.

Once you get the all-clear, contact Dr. Park for a medical marijuana consultation. She can review your health records and ask about your symptoms to gauge whether a natural, supplementary treatment could help. 

Keep in mind that you should never stop taking antiseizure or other medications without medical guidance. Stopping too quickly could make your symptoms worse instead of better.

Find out if medical marijuana is right for you

Medical marijuana certification helps many people with epilepsy better manage their symptoms, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Still, research is ongoing, and new breakthroughs in treatment are being made all the time.

To learn if medical marijuana can help you get better seizure relief, request a consultation at MediCalm. Call our appointment line at 484-440-9494 or use our online scheduler.