Seizure

An epileptic seizure (colloquially a fit) is a brief episode of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. The outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness (absence seizure). The disease of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures is called epilepsy, but seizures can also occur in people who do not have epilepsy.

Generalized 3 Hz spike and wave discharges in EEG during a seizure

This can occur due to a variety of causes and is common during withdrawals from prolonged chronic benzodiazepine usage or during an overdose on certain substances such as stimulants, synthetic cannabinoids and the 25x-NBOMe series of psychedelics. It has also been noted that opioid overdoses can cause seizures. This is believed to happen because many opioids, despite being depressants, have significant intrinsic activity at the sigma receptors.

Seizures, depending on the cause, are generally treated with anticonvulsant substances such as diazepam and pregabalin.

See also

• Responsible use
• Subjective effects index
• Psychedelics - Subjective effects
• Dissociatives - Subjective effects
• Deliriants - Subjective effects

References

Responsible drug use index