Children with Epilepsy Using Medical Marijuana as a Treatment
Even though some people might say that medical marijuana is not safe for children and could lead to long-term damage to their brains and future, medical marijuana had proven to be a very helpful and effective treatment for children with epilepsy. Medical marijuana is also a lot safer than the pharmaceutical medicines given to treat the symptoms of seizures. It has also been helpful in giving these children back their lives and potential for a great future. Medical marijuana helps with the pain and effects caused by seizures, and in some cases, it has completely stopped their seizure episodes. Because studies have shown the positive effects and outcomes parents have seen in their children by treating them with medical cannabis, more and more parents are fighting for the legalization of medical marijuana in their states. Therefore, children who suffer from epilepsy should
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Around 300,000 children suffer from epilepsy in America today. It is distinguished by repeated convulsions which are caused by a reaction to the body that is an unexpected, short, and uncontrolled electrical releases in brain cells. The symptoms that come with having epilepsy are debilitating and painful. This includes muscle spasms, unconsciousness, change in behavior, and even can result in death or paralysis. Although there is quite a few ways to treat epilepsy, the one with the least amount of damage to the body is the use of medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana has been acknowledged as a medicine since 1000 B.C. according to ancient Indian literature. It was later introduced to Western medicine where Dr. William B. O’Shaughnessy recommended medical marijuana for the treatment of epilepsy. In 1841, Dr. O’Shaughnessy stated “In cannabis, the medical profession has gained an anti-convulsive remedy of the greatest value” (O’shaughnessy,