CBD Oil for Epilepsy – Can this amazing compound help?

There has been a recent increase in the amount of research that is going on with regard to CBD oil for epilepsy.

Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is commonly referred to, is one of the major compounds that can be isolated from the cannabis plant. CBD oil has earned its place as a popular natural choice for the treatment of a number of common health problems, including issues such as arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, chronic pain, skin concerns, depression, stress and anxiety, sleeping disorders, and more.

CBD oil for epilepsy has recently gained a lot of interest as a natural, complimentary treatment that may be used alongside conventional epilepsy medications to lower the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures.

CBD oil for epilepsy: What is epilepsy?

Before we look at the research around CBD oil for epilepsy, what is epilepsy?

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy is a chronic disorder that is characterized by the recurrence of unpredictable, unprovoked seizures. People with epilepsy may suffer from one or more types of seizures, and they may also have other neurological problems. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, and affects people of all ages.

CBD oil for epilepsy: What causes epilepsy?

The causes of epilepsy vary from person to person and are often related to their age. In some people where there is no clear cause of epilepsy, it is often thought to be a genetic factor. Around 30% of people with epilepsy have structural changes in the brain (which may or may not be related to injury), that cause electrical problems that lead to seizure activity. Some children are born with these changes. Infections of the brain are also a cause of epilepsy; even after the infection is treated with medication, the scarring left on the brain can cause seizures. In people over 65, stroke is the most common cause of new-onset seizures. Other conditions affecting the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, may also be a cause of seizures in older individuals.

CBD oil for epilepsy: How might CBD help?

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, around a third of all people with epilepsy find it difficult to control their seizures with conventional medicines. Unfortunately for these people, their unmanaged epileptic episodes are associated with an increased risk of premature death.

Therefore, for these people it may be worthwhile speaking with their doctor about the possibility of using CBD oil for epilepsy to help with their symptoms.

It still remains unclear to researchers how exactly CBD oil for epilepsy, or seizure control works. The underlying mechanisms are still being investigated, however, the current animal models indicate that the anti-seizure effects of CBD probably come about by reducing nerve cell (neuron) excitability through CBD’s action on the GPR55 and TRPV1 receptors.

The research into the mechanisms of action of CBD for epilepsy is continuing.

CBD oil for epilepsy is generally regarded as complimentary treatment that may be used alongside other medications, under the supervision and advice of a doctor.

CBD oil for epilepsy: What does the current research say?

The collection of early evidence that exists from the results of laboratory studies, anecdotal evidence and small clinical studies conducted over the years, indicates that there is potential in using CBD oil for epilepsy -related seizure activity moderation.

In the past, formal research on CBD oil for epilepsy has been limited, mainly due to government regulations around cannabis. However, with the recent legalization of cannabis products in many parts of the world, there has been a spike in the number of research studies now focused on this topic.

Recent research into CBD oil for epilepsy has found that CBD may be able to enhance the effect of the anti-seizure medication clobazam, and possibly other common anti-seizure medications as well.

A subsequent study investigated the effects of CBD on seizure activity in 55 people with four different types of epilepsy. The researches noted that the average frequency of seizure activity in all the participants was reduced by more than half, and the improvements continued for the entire duration of the 48-week study.

In 2017, an international trial was conducted with children with Dravet syndrome- a complex epileptic disorder, where children often suffer from medication-resistant seizures, and unfortunately, premature death in many cases. The trial participants remained on their regular medications, along with either a placebo or a treatment of cannabidiol (CBD) liquid. In participants that were given CBD, more than 40% experienced a halving in the number of seizures; 5% of participants became seizure-free.

CBD oil for epilepsy: The bottom line

The current research into CBD oil for epilepsy is promising. The results of early studies have warranted further research to be conducted. If you have done some reading and you are considering trying CBD oil for epilepsy, it is very important that you consult with your doctor or specialist first, as some medications that are used to control seizure activity due to epilepsy may interact with CBD oil.

Disclaimer

This blog, entitled “CBD oil for epilepsy- can this amazing compound help?”, is intended to be used for entertainment and informational purposes only. This blog should not be used to diagnose or treat any type of illness or health condition, and it is not intended to be taken as general or medical advice. At Transcending Organics, we always recommend that you seek the professional opinion of your doctor or other trusted health provider for an accurate diagnosis and assessment of your condition.

References

Devinsky, O., Cross, H., laux, L., Marsh, E., Miller, I., Nabbout, R., Scheffer, I. E., Thiele, E. A., Wright, S., (2017), ‘trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in Dravet syndrome’, The New England Journal of Medicine,[https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1611618], accessed 08/25/2021.

Epilepsy Foundation, (2021), ‘Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy’,https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy], accessed 08/25/2021.

Epilepsy Foundation (2021), ‘What is Epilepsy’,https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-epilepsy], accessed 08/25/2021.

Gaston, T. E., Szaflarski, J. P., (2018), ‘Cannabis for the Treatment of Epilepsy: au Update’, 18(11),https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30194563/], accessed 08/25/2021.

Geffrey, A. L., Pollack, S. F., Bruno, P.L., Thiele, E. A., (2015), ‘Drug-drug interaction between clobazam and cannabidiol in children with refractory epilepsy’, Epilepsia, 56(8),https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26114620/], accessed 08/25/2021.

Gray, R. A., Whalley, B. J., (2020), ‘the proposed mechanisms of action of CBD in epilepsy’, Epileptic Disorders, 22(1),https://doi.org/10.1684/epd.2020.1135], accessed 08/25/2021.

Morano, A., Fanella, M., Albini, M., Cifelli, P., Palma, E., Giallornardo, A. T., di Bonaventura, C., (2020), ‘Cannabinoid in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Current Status and Future Prospects’, 16,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7012327/], accessed 08/25/2021.