Seizures are the physical changes in behavior that are observed after a period of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can be caused by a variety of things including brain injury, brain tumor, high fever, certain infections, and illegal drug use. Behaviors exhibited during a seizure include mood changes, vision changes, loss of muscle control/falling, shaking of the body, and muscle twitching or tension. A seizure can last up to 15 minutes but generally no longer. There are many different categories of seizures varying in intensity, one of which is epilepsy. Epilepsy is a disorder in which individuals have multiple seizures throughout their lifetime even after the underlying cause is treated. For more information on seizures: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001714/
During seizures large amounts of a neurotransmitter (send signals in the brain), glutamate, are released in the brain. This build up of excess chemicals causes too many signals to be sent to the brain cells, resulting in cell death. Repeated cell death can cause lasting brain damage, possibly preventing individuals from learning new things or storing information. Endocannabinoids are molecules that bind to endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. Upon binding, endocannabinoids inhibit the binding of glutamate to its respective receptor. This function can directly relate to seizures. Endocannabinoids have the ability to block the excess release of glutamate produced during a seizure. If the excess glutamate is blocked then fewer brain cells are likely to die, preventing lasting brain damage.
This all sounds great however our brains do not naturally produce enough endocannabinoids to overpower the large amount of glutamate released. So the question is how do we get extra cannabinoids in our system? Some believe that cannabis, an exocannabinoid, could be the answer. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, also binds to endocannabinoid receptors giving it the ability to inhibit glutamate binding as well. The problem with this is that marijuana has many unwanted side effects such as paranoia, short-term memory loss, memory and learning problems, distorted perception and loss of coordination (for more information: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/marijuana-use-and-its-effects). It is possible that marijuana with a lower THC content could provide enough binding to prevent most of the glutamate binding and have decreased side effects. Another possibility is to synthesize molecules identical or very similar to the naturally occurring endocannabinoids in our brain. These synthesized molecules, if created successfully, would not have the negative side effects of THC and could prevent the lasting brain damage of a seizure.
Cannabis: preventing brain damage instead of causing it?
