# Epilepsy and Marijuana **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579 "2019-03-26T21:20:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/1 "2019-03-26T21:20:31Z")
I’m hearing positive things about dope and epilepsy. My non-epileptic daughters have talked about introducing the third to it on a trip to Massachusets this summer. I understand Third’s neurologist has made favorable noises but I don’t trust docs I never met. So what’s the SD? ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/2 "2019-03-26T22:03:02Z")
Earlier thread: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=866882](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=866882) FDA News Release: [FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy | FDA](https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm611046.htm) Note that the FDA make it clear that the indication is for “rare, severe forms of epilepsy”, which are named in the release. As a side note, it’s not unusual in drug development to first target rare and severe disease - rare diseases are more likely to lack adequate treatment options, severe disease demands to be urgently addressed, so this is a higher licensing priority for a regulatory agency - fastest way to market and probably a higher drug price. _It may be_ that the drug is also effective in less severe, more common related conditions, and the indication may therefore be later expanded (by performing further clinical trials). I have no idea if this is true in this case. If your daughter falls into the wider indication group, it may be worth checking if there are ongoing clinical trials she could participate in. j ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/3 "2019-03-26T22:30:33Z")
The worst it can do is nothing, so why not go for it? \*OK, so there are lots of bad things that could happen. Your daughter could get caught (if you’re in a state where it’s still illegal (fucking Missouri)). Your daughter could take too much and have a bad trip – talk about dosing THOROUGHLY with your budtender before you try ANYTHING. Or your daughter could take the right dose and still have a bad trip-- not everyone reacts to THC the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/4 "2019-03-26T22:36:28Z")
I know two women who used marijuana, rather than whatever they were using previously, during their pregnancies, because the other thing seemed worse for the baby. Both babies came out fine. One of the kids is in her late 40s and the other is in her early 20s and they are completely normal despite having parents who were kind of weird. Both moms also thought that whatever they were on before (and I don’t know if they were on the same thing) was a bit more effective for them, or maybe they just didn’t like using pot as it’s a bit more trouble and at least in the before times was harder to get a reliable dose, so they went back to it after they were done breastfeeding. But it seemed to have some effect. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/5 "2019-03-26T22:45:15Z")
“Bad trip?” What is this, _Reefer Madness?_😉 I supposed how it’s stronger than it was in the day that’s a risk. She will be monitored by several people. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/6 "2019-03-26T23:14:11Z")
We really know next to nothing about the true benefits and risks of [medical marijuana](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/14/is-marijuana-as-safe-as-we-think). And as far as epilepsy goes, there’s certainly insufficient evidence to conclude whether any of the hundreds of ingredients in marijuana are helpful. Or harmful. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/7 "2019-03-27T20:12:53Z")
Isn’t epilepsy usually treated with non-THC CBD oil? ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/8 "2019-03-27T20:48:13Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Isn’t epilepsy usually treated with non-THC CBD oil? Yeah, well, that’s what the earlier thread and the FDA News Release addressed. Note that Epidiolex (cannabidiol) [CBD] oral solution is approved only for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, not “epilepsy” in general. I gather that some states have now legalised non-prescription sale of CBD (is that right?) and no doubt you can find high CBD cannabis. One of the reasons we have pharmaceutical grades of stuff is to assure quality. I have no idea how pure (ie, non-THC and other related components) CBD oil is; and a high CBD weed certainly won’t be “Pure” CBD. As **Quagdop** points out, cannabis per se is way impure. It contains related cannabinoid chemicals which may act in similar, related or opposite ways on receptors in the brain. So: 1. It isn’t as simple as just treating “epilepsy” - there are a lot of different ones, and there is currently proof of efficacy for CBD only in Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet; and 2. Whereas Epidiolex is of established quality, I don’t know about commercial CBD oil, and you certainly can’t rely on weed; and 3. As for dosing… j ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/9 "2019-03-27T22:04:21Z")
Its more the high CBD strains like Charlottes web that are used. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/10 "2019-03-27T22:17:30Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Its more the high CBD strains like Charlottes web that are used. Which is named after a little girl suffering from some form of epileptic seizures that was experimentally treated successfully with the oil, correct? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/11 "2019-03-28T20:01:35Z")
I dunno, but it’s gotta beat the ditchweed I used to smoke. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/12 "2019-03-29T21:45:54Z")
Wow. A thread I can contribute actual facts from personal experience - rare indeed. Anyway, I was diagnosed with epilepsy less than six months ago after a couple of unexplained seizures. I am from Canada, where marijuana use is legal and I have been an occasional user and I specifically asked my doctor (a specialist) about drug and alcohol use. His recommendation was that I reduce my intake of alcohol and to NEVER get drunk again. Entering a drunken state considerably increases the chances of a seizure. He also told me to avoid mind-altering drugs like acid, mushrooms and marijuana for the same reason. While, the increase in risk is relatively small, if I wanted to minimize my chances of another seizure, I should not partake. He also mentioned that for people with severe epilepsy (people with multiple seizures per day - not me), marijuana (CBD specifically) has been shown to help. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/13 "2019-03-29T22:30:41Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I’m hearing positive things about dope and epilepsy. My non-epileptic daughters have talked about introducing the third to it on a trip to Massachusets this summer. I understand Third’s neurologist has made favorable noises but I don’t trust docs I never met. So what’s the SD? I know a family friend who is almost 60 who never smoked a thing until a few months ago and said it was very helpful. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/14 "2019-03-30T16:57:37Z")
Thanks, all. My oldest doesn’t know how to administer edibles an had middle eat half a muffin then eat the other half a half hour later. it didn’t kick in for a couple hours (to be expected) then it hit like a ton of bricks. I would rather be present her first time and ease her into it. Gummis sound easier to gauge. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/15 "2019-03-30T17:23:49Z")
From what I’ve read, a dose for a beginner is about 2.5mg. You don’t want to know how much it takes for a heavy user like me to get going. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/16 "2019-03-30T21:24:48Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Thanks, all. My oldest doesn’t know how to administer edibles an had middle eat half a muffin then eat the other half a half hour later. it didn’t kick in for a couple hours (to be expected) then it hit like a ton of bricks. I would rather be present her first time and ease her into it. Gummis sound easier to gauge. These are adult children? I really doubt that you’re the best “guide”, despite your parental protectiveness. You clearly don’t know much about weed and ,umm, aren’t you a total alcoholic? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/17 "2019-03-30T21:34:22Z")
Not modern weed which is why I’m being cautious, and I always drank because I couldn’t get dope. I could always be moderate with reefer. I’d have a couple puffs and watch Match Game '74. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/18 "2019-03-30T21:40:37Z")
Uh huh. Well it is modern weed and nobody believes that lack of weed turned you into an alcoholic. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2019, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/19 "2019-03-30T23:43:40Z")
Whatever. I hit a rough patch and wanted to get messed up and I used the path I could follow. Old weed wasn’t physically addicting. Booze is. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579/20 "2019-03-31T00:02:35Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Thanks, all. My oldest doesn’t know how to administer edibles … You might want to check out this story from the NYT in the last week - [Marijuana Edibles May Pose Special Risks](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/25/well/eat/marijuana-edibles-may-pose-special-risks.html) > [@](#): > > The new study analyzed thousands of cannabis-triggered emergency room visits in the greater Denver area, and found that edibles induced a disproportionate number of pot-related medical crises. Edibles were also more likely than inhaled pot to cause severe intoxication, acute psychiatric symptoms in people with no history of psychiatric illness and cardiovascular problems [edit - such as rapid or irregular heart rates] The story specifically mentions the difficulty of controlling dosing since the effects of edibles take longer to become apparent and longer to clear the system. Fat content of food recently eaten can also affect uptake of the psychoactive components. That last piece is going to make dosing problematic from day to day. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epilepsy-and-marijuana/831579.md?page=2)