Of recent, the media has been saturated with discussion about the use of marijuana in the treatment of seizures and epilepsy. However marijuana has been used by humans for thousands of years to treat a wide selection of diseases. Marijuana is being viewed as a potential treatment option for most epilepsy patients who are unable to control their seizures, and a tremendous success has been recorded so far. It should be noted that s seizures are abnormal movements or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain, and they are one of the symptoms of epilepsy. But it should be recalled that not all people who have seizures will necessarily have epilepsy as there also exist non-epileptic seizures caused by abnormal activity in the brain that could be the result of psychological stress or issues. Whatever the cause of these seizures, many people who suffer from epilepsy have testified that cannabis helps to stop their seizures, although there is little scientific proof to back this up. This article takes a look at the best marijuana strains to treat epilepsy and seizures.
1. Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s web is by far the most popular strain for the treatment of seizures. It was baptized after a little girl called Charlotte Figi who suffered from Dravet Syndrome; a rare and delicate form of epilepsy treated her rare condition with this strain which was developed. The strain contains an average of 0.3% THC and very high amounts of CBD, and is perfect for treating epilepsy without the risk of getting stoned. This justifies why it’s widely used in the treatment of children. This strain was groomed by Colorado-based growers specifically for Charlotte, and they were able to significantly reduce the THC content of the strain while still boosting its CBD content, thus developing a strain with an exceptionally calming “body high” void of any mental side effects. Prior to the CBD treatment, little Charlotte was experiencing extremely violent seizures hundreds of times a week but after she started using the high-CBD cannabis oil, her seizures were reduced from over a thousand to just a handful each month. This strain has been described as having a “web-like” appearance, with thick, long trichomes that are wrapped around the buds and although the strain is still a relatively rare strain, it is quickly becoming it has gathered a lot of attention from medical marijuana communities across the world due to its revolutionary high CBD content accounting for its medical potency.
2. Green Crack
For those who want to medicate in the day time and for preventing epileptic seizures, Green Crack is the perfect choice. The name of this strain originates from the fact that users tend to experience laser-sharp focus while working and the buzz from this strain often lasts throughout the day. It also provides an energetic head-high that helps to improve mental focus and generate a mental buzz. Clinical trials have equally revealed that Green Crack is a balanced hybrid strain that delivers a duality of body and head effects which helps to lift the mood while also relaxing the muscles. Green Crack is thus a great strain for improving the focus of epileptic patients since they find it difficult to focus on their daily tasks or suffer from the inability to report to work, Green Crack is great for improving their focus.
3. Cannatonic
Researchers suggest that Cannatonic is effective for managing epilepsy and seizures, headaches, fatigue, muscle spasms, migraines, and chronic pain as it offers a less-cloudy, focus-inducing high because of its low THC content, which rarely exceeds 6%, and its high CBD content that typically measures between 6% and 17%. This stain is very powerful and relaxing strain, very uplifting and helps to focus the mind. The strain is unique in its outlandish chemical composition, which doesn’t have the sole purpose of getting the user high, but rather for working on medical conditions from the inside out and thus helping to heal any problematic situations that conventional medication often has trouble treating. This strain equally deeply enhances the mood and makes it seem as though the user is floating on a cloud, increasing feelings of positivity and optimism, together with boosting energy. The high from this strain is soothing and calm, making it suitable to use at any time during the day since it won’t seriously affect your motivation or produce any drowsiness or sleepiness.
4. White Widow
Another good strain for epileptic seizures is White Widow which originated from The Netherlands and is a well-known strain, known for producing relaxing, creative, and euphoric feelings. This strain has effects of South American Sativa combined with its South Indian Indica lineage giving medical patients a blissful combination of both happiness and calmness, while also being effective for treatment of insomnia, appetite loss, stress, pain, and, of course, epileptic episodes. This strain is very iconic for recreational users, but of recent its therapeutic and medicinal benefits have given it legendary status. This strain is classified genetically as a hybrid strain but however slight indica dominance but it usually emits a fine balance between indica and sativa. This hybrid strain was bred to maximize the relaxation and body effects of an indica while keeping the sativa’s euphoric mental character, this strain has balanced overall effect, which is happy and social and its oil typically contains terpenes that are effective in treating epilepsy and more.
5. Grape Ape
Another stain that is preferred by medical marijuana patients is Grape Ape because of its total relaxation and calming effects. This strain is especially loved by those who practice yoga and meditation due to its calming property this beneficial for epilepsy patients can truly benefit from. A smoke of this strain will help you to feel chilled out and relaxed, and relief you from mood disorders such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Grape Ape is an Indica dominant strain crossed with Afghani, Skunk, and Mendocino Purps. Its distinct grape-like smell, and it’s marked by multi-layered scents and standout colors earned it the name Grape ape. The high from this strain mounts slowly and eventually leading to a very weighty sensation in the limbs and head and equally providing a palpable sense of both physical and mental relaxation, easing users into a spacey calmness. The strain equally has a fairly high THC content ranging from 15% to 23%.
Depending on how severe your condition is different patients reveal different benefits from using high-CBD and high-THC marijuana strains for treating seizures and epilepsy. The chemical compounds in the cannabis plant play a big part when medicating, especially with serious conditions such as epilepsy. To get the full healing properties of each strain, epilepsy patients should use the entire plant, because the presence of other cannabinoids allows for a greater effect to take place.