According to a study by a team led by Olga Malyshevskaya, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, marijuana with high amounts of THC could trigger seizures.
While many studies have been researching a particular cannabinoid in marijuana called CBD that could help treat patients with epilepsy, Malyshevskaya’s study could be a “public alert.”
The team’s study has found that the general use of high-potency marijuana could trigger seizures. A manmade cannabinoid called JWH-018, which is the primary component of synthetic marijuana that goes by “spice,” could also prompt seizures.
The team analyzed the brain activity of male mice after they had received THC or JWH-018 by using implanted electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyogram electrodes into the brains of the mice. The team also analyzed the movement and behavior of the rodents as they were monitored on video recording.
While THC was given to the mice in 10 milligram doses per kilogram, JWH-018 was given in doses of 2.5 milligrams per kilogram.
According to the study, the mice experienced seizures shortly after administration with both THC and JWH-018. The frequency was much higher after the JWH-018
The researchers also discovered that giving the mice AM-251- a compound that binds to the cannabinoid 1-receptor, was able to prevent the seizures in response to the THC and JWH-018.
The team has noted that the doses of THC and JWH-018 used in their study were high. These does might not represent the doses normally seen with medicinal or recreational use in humans.
“It would be interesting in the future to also test lower doses, typically used medicinally or recreationally to determine whether the effect is lost or diminished,” the team said.
The team also said, “Our study is quite important because unaware of the particularly severe effect by those cannabinoids, people see marijuana as a soft drug, without dangerous health effects.”
