Brandon Arellano has been a valued customer for 3 years. He was kind enough to have a conversation with us regarding his seizures and how CBD has helped his health.
How long have you been experiencing seizures?
I had my first seizure just when I was about three years old. It’s a very scary experience and I vividly remember parts of it to this day. It has followed me into my adulthood too, I’ve been out in the hospital over grand mal seizures three times and I have had petite mal seizures throughout the past year or so. I didn’t start having them again until I turned 20. I have been using CBD much more consistently and it’s been amazing, I sleep so much more and better quality. Sleep is so damn important. Even lack of sleep can make you more susceptible to having a seizure and with your products I’m really killing multiple birds with one stone!! Also, on a positive note I have gone about 4 months without a seizure.
Why do you use Hempstrax CBD Products? How is it helping?
I use Hempstrax products because of the consistently great quality of the product, I have never had any issues for the past three years that I’ve been using them! And so I trust it built off of the long time I’ve used Hempstrax!!
I have had so much relief from your guys’ products with my anxiety, I can accomplish so much more with so much less stress. My day is so much more clear headed for me when I take a dab of some isolate or some of the full spectrum shatter Hempstrax has too. It’s not like being high from THC. My body relaxes, and my mind does too, and especially with a dab the relief is pretty much instant. It’s a truly amazing way to unwind, and don’t even get me started on those CBD and Delta 8 THC vegan gummies! I love them so much because they’re so bomb but mainly the peace of mind I get is what helps so much, it’s unreal. Knowing that I’m reducing my chance of having another seizure is so comforting to me. My performance at work has even shown improvement lately and I’m so thankful for Hempstrax for being so helpful to me!
What does your self-care regimen look like?
My self-care regimen is honestly pretty sporadic but I’m working on making it better and I hope to perfect it. My regimen usually consists of a gratitude thing I like to do when I remind myself everyone and everything that I feel grateful for. I usually take CBD in the morning with a dab or two and an edible to help me unwind after the workday. I love to take bike rides and clear my mind, and a bath with Epsom Salt to relax my muscles after. Using a cbd bath bomb works wonders!
Would you recommend Hempstrax?
Yes, yes and yes. I love the positive impact that Hempstrax’s products have made on my personal and professional life. I trust the brand and everyone at the store has helped me find the best things for me based on getting to know me and is like my CBD family. You guys at OC Wellness Solutions are awesome!
CBD has been known to help treat epilepsy, But what exactly is epilepsy and how does it cause seizures?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects the central nervous system. Epilepsy is a spectrum condition that can result in an array of different seizure types and it is different from person to person. Due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, abnormality in brain wiring, changes in brain cells (called channels) or other factors and combinations of these, epilepsy may develop. It is known that 3.4 million people in the United States have epilepsy. Pets can also suffer from seizures.
What is a seizure?
A Seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells (also called neurons) that cause temporary abnormalities in muscle movements (stiffness, twitching or limpness), behaviors, sensations or states of awareness. There are two classifications of seizures: focal onset and generalized onset. Focal onset seizures start in one area of the brain and can spread across the brain causing severe symptoms. Generalized seizures can spread to both sides of the brain. Anything that disturbs the normal pattern of neuron activity can lead to seizures. This can be a direct result of illness, brain damage or abnormal brain development.
How Can CBD Help Treat Epilepsy and help symptoms of seizures?
With the help of cannabinoids which are made up of a group of closely related compounds which include CBD, THC and other active elements in the cannabis sativa plant, seizures can be dramatically reduced using CBD. We always advise checking with your doctor before discontinuing any medications.
Cannabinoids have numerous and interconnected pharmacological benefits. One in particular is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) as this compound has complex psychological effects, variable anticonvulsant effects, anti-inflammatory and appetite stimulant activity. Whereas CBD mostly has no adverse psychoactive effects, it also contains anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety, pain-relieving, immune regulating, anti-inflammatory and many other properties. It is believed that a Full Spectrum product works more effectively as the cannabinoids all work in conjunction with one another. This is referred to as ‘The Entourage Effect’.
There have been multiple studies conducted on treating epilepsy with CBD. Perhaps the most conclusive study dealt with medication resistant epilepsy whereby CBD was proven to be effective against seizures. ‘This compound showed efficacy as anti-seizure, antipsychotic, neuroprotective, antidepressant and anxiolytic. The neuroprotective activity appears linked to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the use of CBD, in addition to common anti-epileptic drugs, in the severe treatment-resistant epilepsy through an overview of recent literature and clinical trials aimed to study the effects of the CBD treatment in different forms of epilepsy.’ This study was conducted in April of 2019. To view the complete research paper click here.
Whilst there is still much work to be done on trials, CBD does appear to be a promising alternative to many medications to treat epilepsy, particularly medication resistant epilepsy. The dosages in several clinical trials were between 100mg – 200mg per day so a fairly high dosage is required to help prevent seizures. If you suffer from seizures please seek medical help from a physician and do not discontinue any medications without first consulting with a doctor.
Lanikai Arriaga - Contributor
Lanikai loves working with customers and helping them on their wellness journey. She is an advocate for healthy living and plant medicine.
