The medicinal potential hemp has is constantly under review. Testing and research has led to some significant innovations in anti-seizure medication. These could help people with chronic conditions treat specific symptoms.
A recent study, published on PubMed.gov, explores one such connection, that of cannabidivarin or CBDV and epileptic seizures.
How epilepsy affects you
Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by seizures. It’s the fourth most-common neurological disorder and affects people of any age.
Epilepsy is a spectrum condition, but a main characteristic is unpredictable seizures. Control and seizure type vary by person. Seizures can range from manageable to dangerous, even causing other health problems.
Risks during seizures
Not all parts of a seizure are visible and symptoms may be unpredictable. What is consistent is that every seizure has a beginning, middle, and an end. While most end on their own with minimal issue, some people can injure themselves while seizing. Others may develop medical problems that could lead to life-threatening emergencies.
Common injuries during a seizure include:
- Bumps and bruises
- Cuts
- Burns
More serious problems that have the potential of happening, especially if a seizure is uncontrolled include:
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Breathing problems
People diagnosed with epilepsy have up to a three times greater risk of dying than someone who doesn’t have the disease.
Common medications for epilepsy
There are a variety of treatments using anti-seizure medication. Most, however, start with some kind of medication. Each medication works best with a specific kind of seizure, so if one fails, many go on to try others.
Testing an alternative — the anticonvulsant profiles of CBDV
For the experiment in this study, scientists looked at the anticonvulsant profiles of two different CBDVs in acute seizures in mice. They also investigated the effects of the cannabinoid on motor function.
Three different seizure models were evaluated:
- Pentylenetetrazole seizures. At a high dose, injecting an animal with this particular drug induces an acute, severe seizure.
- Audiogenic seizures or AGS. These generalized, convulsive seizures happen because of loud sounds, usually from an electric bell.
- Pilocarpine-induced convulsions. This particular model for inducing seizures in rodents produces a phenotype that also resembles temporal lobe epilepsy in humans.
Each seizure model also enables the rodents to experience a seizure like that of a human epileptic.
Evaluating results
Researchers saw significant anticonvulsant effects in both the pentylenetetrazole and audiogenic seizure models. Pilocarpine-induced convulsions were suppressed.
In regards to motor abilities, scientists observed some effects, but didn’t see any change to grip strength.
These results mean positive results occurred for three different models of seizures. As a result, this specific study recommends further clinical development of CBDV as a treatment for epilepsy.
The start of amazing change
Using hemp for anti-seizure medication is just one of many ways the plant can disrupt the medical community. Also, using hemp as a medication ingredient could provide a permanent, positive effect on the daily lives of people who are suffering.
What’s even more important though is having the right ingredients available when the time comes to prescribe medications with cannabinoids in them. The only way to do this is by creating API’s, active pharmaceutical ingredients, out of hemp. Currently, only CBD is in the game when it comes to APIs. The process is rigorous, and it’s not a blanket distinction over all hemp.
For more information on APIs, as well as how CBD isolate is the key, contact Arbor Vita8 today.
