CBD treatment for epilepsy

Anyone who suffers, or knows someone that suffers from epilepsy is aware of the disruption that can be caused to everyday life. For years, doctors have used a variety pharmaceutical approaches to keep the condition under control. However, over the last decade various studies have indicated that a patient’s quality of life appears to improve vastly when prescribed a form of CBD. But how does CBD treatment for epilepsy work?

Seizures occur with epilepsy as a result of excessive electrical activity in the brain. While CBD as a treatment for epilepsy is still being researched heavily, it is believed that the cannabinoid blocks the excessive activity and thereby reduces the frequency and severity of seizures¹.

WHAT IS EPILEPSY?

The human body is capable of moving its appendages as a result of electrical signals being sent from the brain via a nervous system, causing the contraction of muscles which, in turn, leads to movement. Those who suffer from epilepsy, however, experience a burst of electrical activity that travels throughout our nervous system, causing the sufferer to have a seizure are multiple muscles expand and contract against their will. These seizures can be very dangerous, not only due to the ongoing damage to the brain, but also as a risk of accidents occurring as a result.

WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE THAT CBD IS A TREATMENT FOR EPILEPSY?

  • A study found in 2014, a aggregate journal found that while there was little peer-reviewed, or conclusive research into the matter, there was plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that patients had experienced an increase in quality of life².
  • In 2015, a survey of 117 parents of children with epilepsy who had provided them with CBD products. In 85% of cases, the parents reported a reduction in the number of seizures occurring, with 14% of respondents stating that their child had not suffered a single seizure since they started taking CBD³.
  • A study in 2017 concluded that cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors were interacting with the nervous system, and that the benefit of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidavarin (CBDV) appears to be unambiguous with regard to the wellbeing of the patient in terms of seizure frequency and severity⁴.
  • A press release from the FDA in 2018 stated that it had approved the first CBD-based drug, Epidiolex, after three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 516 patients found that the new medication was effective in reducing the frequency of seizures⁵.
  • In 2019, a review of current published research found that patients who suffer from two epileptic conditions that are often resistant to anticonvulsant therapy – Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS) – have provided subjective evidence CBD has helped their condition, and that more research should be carried out⁶.

THE FUTURE OF CBD TREATMENT FOR EPILEPSY

Despite the fact that CBD was discovered almost 80 years ago, it is only recently that it has started to be taken seriously from a research perspective. However, as time passes, there are more and more studies being carried out around the world to unlock the therapeutic secrets of the cannabinoid with the hope of providing a cheap, natural treatment for not only those who suffer from epilepsy, but also those suffering from chronic pain, insomnia and a whole host of other conditions.

References:

¹Perucca, E. (2017). Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Hard Evidence at Last? Journal of Epilepsy Research. 7 (2), p61-76.

²Devinsky, O et al. (2014). Cannabidiol: pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Epilepsia. 55 (6), p791-802.

³Hussain SA et al. (2015). Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.. Epilepsy & Behavior. 47 (47), p138-141.

⁴Rosenberg EC, Patra PH, Whalley, BJ. (2017). Therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in animal models of seizures, epilepsy, epileptogenesis, and epilepsy-related neuroprotection. Epilepsy & Behavior. 70 (B), p319-327.

⁵FDA. (2018). FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy. Available: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms. Last accessed 13th June 2019.

⁶Lattanzi S. (2019). Cannabidiol as adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.. Drugs Today. 55 (3), p177-196.

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