How a Component of Marijuana Can Be Used to Treat Epilepsy

Abstract

In the past, plants were the only medical resources available to people. Although plants were used a lot, sometimes they had dangerous effects. The evolution of science has allowed us to separate the helpful and dangerous compounds from various plants. An example is Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana or weed, one of the most commonly used recreational drugs worldwide. These plants produce hundreds of compounds, called cannabinoids. The two most famous cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces the “high” sensation and might cause some of the negative effects of cannabis, and cannabidiol (CBD), which might be useful for treating certain diseases. In this article, we will explain how CBD can be used to treat epilepsy, a disease that affects people’s brain function. But remember: we are talking about the use of cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes only, not recreational use of marijuana.