Can THC Cause Seizures? A Comprehensive Look

A recent study by Malyshevskaya and her team suggests that consuming high-potency marijuana, containing large amounts of THC, can lead to seizures. While smoking marijuana may cause seizures in certain circumstances, the current data is not sufficient to prove this. Some reports in humans or animal studies suggest that marijuana or its cannabinoids may cause convulsive activity, but other studies suggest that they also protect against seizures. It is possible that smoking marijuana can cause new seizures or worsen a seizure disorder if other factors are present. Like most anticonvulsant medications, marijuana has been shown to affect memory.

This can lead to a missed dose, which may result in the return of seizures. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggested that cannabis use in children may cause a significant decline in cognitive abilities. If this trend is true, it could indicate that using THC concentrate lowers the patient's seizure threshold. Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of CBD in treating seizures and that CBD may be safer and more effective than the psychoactive component of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana. However, it should not be used as a substitute for advice from a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider.

The detection of high levels of Δ-9-THC in urine indicates that marijuana has been smoked within the past two weeks. The fact that the patient had no more seizures while hospitalized supports the theory that initial clinical seizures and EEG abnormalities were triggered by the use of THC, according to the authors of the case. Amid conflicting evidence on the effect of THC on the seizure threshold, this case supports a previously undescribed effect of high-dose THC concentrate by triggering a seizure provoked in an adolescent and, in the absence of an underlying tendency to seizures, it also increases the possibility that THC is present. It concentrates on its own generating epileptiform discharges, as described above in several cases of synthetic marijuana use. Physicians who reported this case of an adolescent who has a generalized tonic-clonic seizure after consuming cannabis wax observed that the presence of interictal epileptiform abnormalities stands out on the EEG after a first seizure in life (which may have occurred within 24 hours of suspicion of a seizure), probably caused by the use of a high dose of THC wax concentrate.

The reporting physicians recognized the limitations of the case, including the lack of information about the specific concentrations of THC (and possible CBD) in the wax product used by the patient, and that the compound was not available for analysis. The authors concluded that, given the increasing use of THC concentrate by adolescents, especially in inhaled or vaporized form, it should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of unexplained presentations of the first seizures of life in patients in this age group. In addition, research has suggested that high doses of THC may lower the seizure threshold by decreasing transmission of GABA. The brain can adapt to the presence of THC in the system, causing withdrawal symptoms if marijuana is stopped. In conclusion, while there is conflicting evidence on whether or not THC can cause seizures, this case supports a previously undescribed effect of high-dose THC concentrate by triggering a seizure provoked in an adolescent. It is important to note that this should be taken into account when diagnosing unexplained presentations of first seizures in patients within this age group.

Additionally, research has suggested that high doses of THC may lower the seizure threshold by decreasing transmission of GABA.

Micaela de Gallardo
Micaela de Gallardo

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