[ Interaction & Mélange ]

Cannabis+Benzo effet, consommation

While yes, cannabis has been shown to reduce seizure risk in some populations, Tramadol carries increased risk of seizure, with incidence of seizure found to be independent of dose in an Iranian study (Talaie et al., 2009 - published in Journal of Medical Toxicology, 5(2), 63-67).

Further to that, Tramadol has been shown to increase the risk of seratonin syndrome with SSRI's and pretty much anything else that decreases seratonin levels. McGill University and University of California studies published in 2007 showed that while cannabis in small quantities increased seratonin levels, in large quantitites it dropped seratonin levels (and fyi, also increases pain levels - for those who're thinking of taking the two together under MMJ+Tramadol prescriptions).

To quote from 'Alcohol and Marijuana: Effects on Epilepsy and Use by Patients with Epilepsy' (Gordon & Devinsky, 2001 Epilepsia, 42(10), 1266-1272):

Quote:
The effects of THC on seizure threshold vary widely between studies that provide conflicting results (49,53). THC has both proconvulsant and anticonvulsant effects depending on dose, seizure model, and factors of seizure initiation versus seizure spread (39). THC has an anticonvulsant effect in models with rapidly evoked tonic discharges, utilizing post-tetanic potential for recruitment. In animal models of epilepsy, THC is effective against some forms of partial and generalized convulsive seizures. However, in animal models of genetic and absence epilepsy and other models of partial epilepsy, THC has proconvulsant effects. Animal studies also document a “rebound” effect to THC (54–56). After a single exposure to THC, the withdrawal phase enhanced CNS excitability, resulting in increased susceptibility to electrical-induced convulsions (55). This withdrawal hyperexcitability suggests that in susceptible patients, marijuana use may provoke withdrawal seizures (56).
Epilepsy Ontario said (website, 2011):

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"Dependable documentation of the effectiveness of Cannabis sativa as an antiepileptic medication is severely limited at this time.
Some accounts show a reduction in seizure frequency and/or severity for some people with epilepsy. Whether this is due to anticonvulsant properties of cannabis or to a reduction in physical and/or psychological stress levels is not fully known and cannot be clarified without further comprehensive scientific scrutiny...

Like any drug, cannabis probably has potential to both harm and heal. Without bone-fide scientific investigation and evaluation, the efficacy of Cannabis sativa as an antiepileptic drug cannot be safely or surely ascertained....

Since THC has dual effects and there are unknown properties of marijuana, marijuana is NOT recommended for people with epilepsy.

Reliable documentation of the effectiveness of marijuana as an anti-epileptic medication is extremely limited at this time. While some accounts show a reduction in seizure frequency and/or severity in some people who have epilepsy, others suggest that marijuana may actually trigger seizures. Further investigation is needed to determine the effectiveness and side effects of cannabis as an anti-seizure drug."
An Australian study said:

Quote:
Tramadol is the most frequently suspected cause of provoked seizures
and

Quote:
Labate and colleagues note that tramadol is the most frequently suspected cause of provoked seizures at their First Seizure Clinic.

Early in 2003, the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) reported to Australian prescribers the results of the first 4 years of experience with tramadol in Australia.2 At the time, ADRAC noted that 26 cases of convulsions had been reported among a total of 354 reports on tramadol.
Basically, cannabis can in some individuals, on it's own, increase the seizure threshold in seizure prone individuals (including myself). In others, it can lower the seizure threshold. This appears to depend upon type of seizure and potency + amount of cannabis, from studies to date. Most studies showing a protective effect were done with induced seizures and with very small amounts of THC - it may be that some compounds present in smoked joints do other things.

So basically, combining the medication which is most likely to cause you a seizure if you haven't had one before with something that can make seizures more likely is potentially an unsafe way of taking both drugs. For that matter, I'd suggest taking tramadol around other people if this is your drug of choice - fitting out or even having an absence seizure for the first time is a scary and severely unpleasant experience I wouldn't wish on anyone*, but it's much better if someone else is around to help, and that they know potential side effects and OD effects of the drug you're taking.

The fact that weed potentiates tramadol in some individuals should be a clear indication that it can potentiate not only the high but also complications of tramadol use in some individuals.

all the best,

Your friendly 'safety first, steak second' tiger.

* if someone does fit out, drop and start twitching (what used to be called 'grand mal' and is now called 'tonic-clonic'), grab them a pillow/something soft to put under their head - don't restrain them. Get anything sharp or hard out of their way ideally without moving them, and if it's lasting more than 5 minutes, is their first seizure, or they go from seizure to seizure without coming round first, call an ambulance. Paramedics will almost never (I'd say never but there's always one) care about recreational drug use, they're just there to help and that's all they'll be focusing on. While it's very rare that someone will have an obstructed airway (and the tounge swallowing thing is pretty much a myth), if they've just eaten or are on a whitey/OD when they fit, puking is more likely and more dangerous, but will usually happen when consciousness comes. Don't give food or drink til the person is fully conscious. As they ease up, move them onto their left hand side in what you can remember of the recovery position , and try to be an easy-focusing distance away to reassure them as they come round. Also, if you're freaked out, it's better to call for help than look stuff up on the internet when you can't remember this advice. You can always cancel help once you've called for it.

L'anglais n'étant pas ma langue première, si j'ai fait une mauvaise interprétation ou dit une grosse connerie, je suis preneur de toute correction, mais ça me semble coller avec le commentaire précédent évoquant des brain-zaps augmentés.

Bonne soirée.

Dernière modification par Peinard (10 février 2016 à  00:04)