By: Nathan Starnes
Issue Summary:
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.5 According to a report by CNN, in 2014 there were an estimated 3 million people living with Epilepsy in the U.S.2 Patients are prescribed anticonvulsants such as Carbamazepine which can help reduce the seizures, but can be accompanied with side effects such as blistering and peeling of the skin, uneven heartbeat and liver damage.5 Due to increases in technology, scientists are discovering more about marijuana and its medicinal use to help patients find safer forms of Epilepsy treatment. 1 In the United States, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, denying its medical properties and placing it in the same category as heroin.4 This classification has created many obstacles for families living in states where marijuana is illegal, forcing families seeking treatment to relocate.2
The historical uses of botanicals to treat convulsive seizures dates back to 6000 B.C. in India and 3000 B.C. in China. 1 A Chinese document written from 770 to 221 B.C. titled The Yellow Emporor’s Classic of Internal Medicine describes the medicinal uses of marijuana for treating Epilepsy. Herbal therapies were widely used and studied in the West for the treatment of Epilepsy until they were replaced by pharmaceutical compounds in the early 20th century.1
Though more than half of the states have legalized medical marijuana and eight have approved recreational use, it’s still federally illegal.4 The government has allowed for one twelve-acre farm of marijuana in the U.S. to be used for research, but it doesn’t allow the growers to produce high THC/CBD contents imperative for definitive results.4 If the potency of cannabis remains low, future breakthroughs will be scarce.4
Works Cited:
1) Schachter S. Translating Nature to Nurture: Back to the Future for “New” Epilepsy Therapies. Epilepsy Currents [serial online]. November 2015;15(6):310-312. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 9, 2017.
2) Young, Saundra. “Medical marijuana refugees: ‘This was our only hope’.” CNN. Cable News Network, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 8 July 2017.
3) Mathern, Gary W., Laurie Beninsig, and Astrid Nehlig. “From the Editors: Epilepsia’s 2014 Operational Definition of Epilepsy Survey.” Epilepsia. Wiley Online Library, 07 Nov. 2014. Web. 8 July 2017
4) HESSE T. Weak Weed and Red Tape: Marijuana Research Is Slow Going. Chronicle of Higher Education [serial online]. March 10, 2017:A44, A45. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 9, 2017.
5) “Carbamazepine (By mouth) – National Library of Medicine – PubMed Health.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 01 June 2017. Web. 09 July 2017.