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Pot May Make Epileptic Seizures Worse, Study Says
Pubdate: Wed, 11 Aug 2004
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: CanWest News Services
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
POT MAY MAKE EPILEPTIC SEIZURES WORSE, STUDY SAYS
TORONTO - Some people who use marijuana to try to control epilepsy
could actually risk making their seizures worse -- if research showing
the drug's effects on laboratory rats is any indication.
Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan have found that although
a synthetic version of pot's active ingredient can suppress grand mal
seizures in lab rats, in some cases it may intensify the most common
cause of convulsions, those which originate in the front of the brain.
Some people who can't tolerate side-effects associated with epilepsy
medicine turn to marijuana or synthetic forms of the active ingredient
in cannabis, THC, to reduce the severity of seizures.
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