What should I do if someone I ’ m with has a seizure ?
The Endocannabinoid System and Epilepsy
The endocannabinoid system factors heavily in seizure disorders . A healthy endocannabinoid system can ward off seizures , whereas an unhealthy system leaves one vulnerable to seizures . Several studies have shown that many epileptic patients tend to be deficient in endocannabinoids . Supplementing with cannabis can make up for such deficiencies . One study confirmed there to be reduced anandamide levels in cerebrospinal fluid in “ new onset temporal lobe epilepsy ” patients . 6
When tackling seizure disorders , there is likely to be some trial and error involved in dosing the right combination and ratios of cannabinoids . Patients need to manage their expectations . Some have found considerable benefits just from CBD . However , as is the case with pain management , the initial effectiveness of CBD may soon wane . It ’ s often necessary to also include THC .
● When the right formula ( ratio ) is found , it can prove incredibly effective in stopping seizures .
● Taken prophylactically , such as daily micro-dosing , it can stave off and dramatically reduce , if not eliminate , the number of seizures .
● This can prove immensely beneficial to brain health since every seizure is likely to cause brain damage .
● Moreover , as this author has covered previously , cannabis is a neuroprotectant — see November 2020 issue , “ Cannabis and Brain Plasticity .”
Cannabis can be ingested by smoking , vaping , edibles , tinctures , and suppositories . Each has its place , although parents are most likely to treat their children with edibles or sublingual tinctures . As a licensed caregiver , this author has treated several epileptic children . Witnessing a small child have a grand mal seizure is heartbreaking . You want to do whatever you can to stop it immediately .
● To date , the best thing I ’ ve come up with is an MCT-based cannabis nasal spray that I ’ ve dubbed “ RESCUE .” It can stop seizures in under 20 seconds .
If you ’ re with someone who ’ s having a seizure , there are several things you can do as part of seizure first aid . Some dos and don ’ ts include :
Dos
● Make sure they can breathe . Loosen any clothing around the person ’ s neck to make sure they ’ re breathing .
● Move dangerous objects away from them . This includes breakable objects or items that might fall and hurt them . If they wear glasses , carefully take the glasses off and move them out of reach .
● Put them in the rescue position . Turn the person on their side . This position helps protect a person ’ s ability to breathe and keeps them from inhaling any fluid like saliva or vomit .
● Try to time the seizure as best you can . Telling a healthcare provider how long the seizure lasted can be critical information . It can also help you know if you need to call for emergency medical help .
● Stay with them as they come out of the seizure and recover . People who have a seizure often feel confused or afraid as they wake up and return to normal . Help reassure and comfort them .
● Make sure they ’ re OK once they wake up . If they have any injuries after the seizure , check if they need medical care . If the person hit their head or there ’ s a risk of an injury to the head , neck or back , the safest thing to do is to get medical care and make sure there aren ’ t any serious injuries that you can ’ t see .
● Call for help if the person has status epilepticus . Call 911 ( or your local emergency services number ) if the seizure lasts more than five minutes or the person has another seizure before recovering from the first . Status epilepticus is a life-threatening medical emergency .
Cannabis is restoring hope to many thousands of seizure sufferers .
References : |
1 . |
https :// www . cnn . com / 2013 / 08 / 08 / health / gupta-changed-mind-marijuana / index . |
html |
2 . |
https :// www . benefits . gov / benefit / 641 |
3 . |
https :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / National _ Vaccine _ Injury _ Compensation _ Program |
4 . |
https :// www . cdc . gov / parasites / features / ncc _ cme _ feature . html |
5 . |
https :// www . cdc . gov / media / releases / 2014 / p0508-npi . html |
6 . |
https :// onlinelibrary . wiley . com / doi / full / 10.1111 / j . 1528-1167.2009.02334 . x |
Peter Kershaw is a Patient Caregiver , an organic cannabis cultivation consultant , and extraction consultant . Contact him at pkershaw . email @ gmail . com or text to 417-230-4445 . As with all writers within these pages , if you ’ ve benefited from Peter ’ s articles , please let him and all writers know . They appreciate your thoughts .
Notice : The information contained herein is not intended as medical advice , diagnosis or treatment , but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience . The content is for general informational purposes only .
Don ’ ts
● Don ’ t restrain them . You could hurt the person or get hurt yourself .
● Don ’ t put anything in their mouth . There are many myths about seizures and epilepsy . One myth is that putting something in a person ’ s mouth like a belt or spoon can keep them from swallowing or biting their tongue . Don ’ t do this . You shouldn ’ t put anything into the mouth of someone having a seizure . You could hurt them or get hurt yourself .
● Don ’ t panic . Stay calm . If others around you are panicking , reassure them as best you can .
Resource : ( See more about seizures , diagnosis , finding help and much more .) https :// my . clevelandclinic . org / health / diseases / 22788-tonic-clonic-grand-mal-seizure
February 2023 41