Kava and Seizures

[Kava Wolf]

Hoping to get some input from knowledgeable people here about the possible effects from kava use for people suffering from seizures. Good or bad idea to drink kava if you are prone to seizures?

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

What seizure meds is the person on? There are some meds out there, like depakote e.g., where I shudder to imagine what the interactions with kava might be, possibly horrendous.

I would guess that if one has a seizure disorder one really has to be on meds, which would rule out any use of kava, just to be on the safe side. But that is an uninformed guess.

 

[ThePiper]

They really must ask a doctor. I have read studies about kava reducing the risk of seizures but it may interact with seizure meds so it is something to ask a professional

 

[Kava Wolf]

Thanks for the input, @Krunkie McKrunkface and @ThePiper. I'm not sure what medication he is currently taking. He decided not to take a chance on it right now. I will have him ask his neurologist about it.

 

[Groggy]

Hoping to get some input from knowledgeable people here about the possible effects from kava use for people suffering from seizures. Good or bad idea to drink kava if you are prone to seizures?

Seizure meds tend to fall in a similar category as a Benzodiazapines, in fact the most recognizable drug is Clonazepam. Both kava and Benzo's affect similar receptors in the brain. Imo, it's either one or the other, kava is an excellent alternative to Benzodiazapines.

I would consult a doctor/psychiatrist who specializes in these things.

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

My guess is it would also depend on the types of seizure one is trying to prevent. Kava may be useful in preventing seizures but possibly only certain types. But then, of course, you run into the problem of standardization of doses across different cultivars and different harvest years, even, not to mention standardization of prep.

 

[Kava Wolf]

Seizure meds tend to fall in a similar category as a Benzodiazapines, in fact the most recognizable drug is Clonazepam. Both kava and Benzo's affect similar receptors in the brain. Imo, it's either one or the other, kava is an excellent alternative to Benzodiazapines.

I would still consult a doctor/psychiatrist who specializes in these things.

Thanks @Krunʞy Kava would definitely be a better alternative to the seizure meds, but now I'm beginning to see the difficulty in how to possibly regulate the amount and know that a person is getting the same protection from having more seizures as the meds would do.

 

[Kava Wolf]

My guess is it would also depend on the types of seizure one is trying to prevent. Kava may be useful in preventing seizures but possibly only certain types. But then, of course, you run into the problem of standardization of doses across different cultivars and different harvest years, even, not to mention standardization of prep.

Very enlightening comment, @Krunkie McKrunkface. Thank you for helping. It doesn't look good for my Nephew as far as enjoying Kava now. Too many things to consider and taking a chance on having another seizure working the type of job he has.

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

Very enlightening comment, @Krunkie McKrunkface. Thank you for helping. It doesn't look good for my Nephew as far as enjoying Kava now. Too many things to consider and taking a chance on having another seizure working the type of job he has.

I have a son with a pretty severe seizure disorder. I would love to be able to give him kava to help with his gut flare-ups, but I really can't risk any abreactions with his seizure meds. It's been a long road, one med after another, some work for a while, some are disasters, and it's always changing.

 

[Kava Wolf]

I have a son with a pretty severe seizure disorder. I would love to be able to give him kava to help with his gut flare-ups, but I really can't risk any abreactions with his seizure meds. It's been a long road, one med after another, some work for a while, some are disasters, and it's always changing.

CBD oil is illegal where I live, which is a crock of s**t! Otherwise, I'd have my nephew taking it instead of his prescription meds. Then he would also be able to enjoy Kava. My younger sister has had seizures off and on her entire life and the amount of meds the dr's have had her on at times made her zombie like. She is also special needs. It's really sad because CBD oil is truly a miracle for people suffering with seizures. I feel your pain, @Krunkie McKrunkface

 

[ThePiper]

I wouldn't rule kava out at all. I would just ask a doctor if they are safe to combine, but definitely stay on the meds

 

[kavabala]

I'm actually interested in this as well. My dog (as seen in my profile picture) is suffering from seizures. They are actually almost completely gone thanks to the help of CBD oil, but they still happen a little (just once since we put her on CBD). I'd wonder, how would I get my dog to consume kava if it's safe? Is it safe for dogs even? I can tell when she's in a pre-seizure phase. She tends to get very anxious and irritable, and that is when I most heavily dose her with CBD; it tends to work.

 

[chandra]

This is by no means a substitute for medical advice, but an internet search on possible interactions said that it may increase the effectiveness of seizure medications. That isn't neccessarily a bad thing, but I would certainly talk to a doctor before combining them. A pharmacist may be able to tell you if it's safe as well.

 

[JDV]

Hoping to get some input from knowledgeable people here about the possible effects from kava use for people suffering from seizures. Good or bad idea to drink kava if you are prone to seizures?

I'll give you a little info on me. I have had epilepsy all of my life and take Topamax. I have complex partial and grand mal seizures. I try to control my bad out burst of seizure feelings in my head with Ativan. But only when needed. I live in Texas and CBD oil from hemp is legal in all states. Just not marijuana cbd oil. But Texas marijuana for epilepsy patients is approved this year. But I take Charlottes Webb cbd hemp oil now and it works good. The rest I drink kava every night until I'm very groggy (stone kava gets it done) . Kava stops the electrical activity in my head just like Ativan does. I have never had a problem in the 2 years of drinking it and topamax. Kava works on seizures at least it does for me. My blood work is always good. Except for elevated cholesterol which I know comes from drinking kava. Because I can stop drinking kava and my cholesterol goes down. But like one poster said. If it was depakote I wouldn't drink it. But this is my story and everyone is different.

 

[Krunkie McKrunkface]

I'll give you a little info on me. I have had epilepsy all of my life and take Topamax. I have complex partial and grand mal seizures. I try to control my bad out burst of seizure feelings in my head with Ativan. But only when needed. I live in Texas and CBD oil from hemp is legal in all states. Just not marijuana cbd oil. But Texas marijuana for epilepsy patients is approved this year. But I take Charlottes Webb cbd hemp oil now and it works good. The rest I drink kava every night until I'm very groggy (stone kava gets it done) . Kava stops the electrical activity in my head just like Ativan does. I have never had a problem in the 2 years of drinking it and topamax. Kava works on seizures at least it does for me. My blood work is always good. Except for elevated cholesterol which I know comes from drinking kava. Because I can stop drinking kava and my cholesterol goes down. But like one poster said. If it was depakote I wouldn't drink it. But this is my story and everyone is different.

Thanks for the really interesting and useful post!

 

[The Kap'n]

I'll give you a little info on me. I have had epilepsy all of my life and take Topamax. I have complex partial and grand mal seizures. I try to control my bad out burst of seizure feelings in my head with Ativan. But only when needed. I live in Texas and CBD oil from hemp is legal in all states. Just not marijuana cbd oil. But Texas marijuana for epilepsy patients is approved this year. But I take Charlottes Webb cbd hemp oil now and it works good. The rest I drink kava every night until I'm very groggy (stone kava gets it done) . Kava stops the electrical activity in my head just like Ativan does. I have never had a problem in the 2 years of drinking it and topamax. Kava works on seizures at least it does for me. My blood work is always good. Except for elevated cholesterol which I know comes from drinking kava. Because I can stop drinking kava and my cholesterol goes down. But like one poster said. If it was depakote I wouldn't drink it. But this is my story and everyone is different.

Thanks for the really interesting and useful post!

I second that. Thank you for letting us know your experience with this @JDV