The Role of CBD in Treating Epilepsy

The Role of CBD in Treating Epilepsy

Generally, CBD is devoid of psychoactive effects because it is not an intoxicating substance. Over the last several years, there has been increasing discussion on its usefulness in treating epilepsy. Despite CBD most commonly being associated with relaxation, there is a growing focus about its use in treating epilepsy, especially the intractable types. This article examines how CBD is utilized in treating epilepsy, the epidemiological and clinical trials on the fact that this drug can be used against epilepsy, and the good and bad sides of using this substance in patients suffering from epilepsy.

An Introduction to Epilepsy

Epileptic disorder, or simply epilepsy, is a neurological disorder that is lasting and is associated with recurring abnormal electrical activities in the brain, which causes seizures. The seizures may also involve relatively quick recoverable phases of milder forms of episodes experiencing only blank stares of several seconds or more chronic complete blackouts in aggressive seizures, possibly with physical trauma as well as total unconsciousness. 

Some patients with epilepsy can be placed on antiepileptic drugs, which can prevent seizures. Nevertheless, about thirty percent of individuals treated with drugs for epilepsy have what is referred to as narcotic-resistant epilepsy; there is not a single existing antiepileptic agent that could help to decrease their seizure attacks.

Alternative therapy options that could help improve patients’ lives may be needed in the case of people with drug-resistant epilepsy. This is where some potential solutions like CBD come into play.

How Does Cannabidiol Interact with the Brain?

CBD acts with the endocannabinoid system of the human body with the ability to regulate both types of CB1 and CB2 receptors and can potentially affect a variety of body functions including mood elevation, pain elimination, inflammation reduction, seizure outbreaks, and many more. One remarkable characteristic of Cannabidiol is that it is non-psychotropic in contrast with the THC component of cannabis. Rather, it works as an ECS modulator and acts to ‘switch off’ the uncontrolled overactivity of the human brain, which synchronously also means a decrease in the spasm frequency.

After the desired effects of CBD derived from marijuana, its antiepileptic effects relate to the handling of neurotransmitters that are associated with neuronal excitation. CBD may decrease the exaggerated excitability of neurons, thereby averting the extreme excitatory discharges that cause seizures.

What Do Studies Say about the Efficacy of CBD for Epilepsy and Seizures?

The use of Epidiolex, a cannabidiol medication that has passed FDA approval, is among the greatest demonstrations of evidence that supports CBD products in the management of epilepsy. Epidiolex drug obtained approval in 2018 and is intended to treat two types of drug-resistant childhood epilepsies: Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut (LGS) syndromes. They occur rarely, are very severe, and are treatment-resistant.

Several studies of clinical trials have conclusively established that CBD is effective in reducing the number of seizures for patients who have Dravet syndrome and LGS. One such remarkable study found out that, in children with Dravet syndrome, 39% of them had successfully had a reduction in seizures while using CBD, as compared to only 13% in the placebo group. Studies that included patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome have shown that there was an effective drop in the number of seizures after using CBD.

The market success of Epidiolex cleared the path towards new studies that would consider CBD in the management of generalized and focal epilepsy, as well as in refractory epilepsy in adults.

What are the possible CBD Effects on Epileptic Patients?

  • Seizures reduction: Clinical trials reported a possibility to alleviate seizures with CBD in patients with chronic epilepsy who are drug resistant, predominantly in Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
  • Fewer Side Effects than Traditional Medications: Antiepileptic drugs, in particular, have been criticized for their wide array of side effects including dizziness, fatigue and even cognitive impairment. Looking at CBD oil, the most common side effects are gastrointestinal, that is, some nausea, little tiredness or change of appetite. 
  • Non-Psychoactive: While THC may have intoxicating effects, CBD does not induce a ‘high’ which affects cognitive functioning. This is critical among children and those who have to manage their epilepsy without having any distortions in mental clarity.
  • Adjunct Therapy: CBD is known to be administered together with antiepileptic drugs. There were many cases when with the use of CBD, the patients were able to decrease the other medicine intake dose with a maintained level of seizure control.

Are there risks and side effects of CBD for Epilepsy?

A consensus exists among experts that CBD oil is safe and well tolerated, yet its use is not risk-free. You may experience complications, especially when you take moderate to large doses. Reported side effects in clinical trials include:

  • Tiredness
  • Diarrhea
  • Food deprivation
  • Sleepiness

Also, the use of CBD can cause complications when combined with some drugs, such as clobazam and other antiepileptic medications. This type of interaction results in elevating the effectiveness of the latter drug and therefore, the chances of side effects are particularly high. For this reason, it is imperative that patients speak to their doctor about the use of CBD as an adjunct treatment for epilepsy.

Does CBD oil really work for epilepsy?

A majority of the patients taking CBD do report a decrease, either in the number of seizures they experience or in the intensity of the seizures. However, if you expect CBD to cure epilepsy, you may be disappointed. Epilepsy is multifaceted, and the CBD treatment can be very different among individuals. For some, adequate quantities of CBD may be effective, for others, only minimal or no alleviation will be granted.

Additionally, the focus of further research should be the improvement of the conditions of use of CBD in the treatment of epilepsy, especially in children and in cases of the disease that are most severe and require lifelong treatment.

The Future of CBD in Epilepsy Treatment

The overwhelming success of Epidiolex resulted in a high CBD demand in the treatment of epilepsy. Efforts are ongoing to establish the efficacy of CBD in conjunction with other cannabinoids such as THC or CBDV that are believed to maximize the therapeutic effect of the drug through the entourage effect.

As further studies continue, it’s possible that the way in which CBD is applied to treat epilepsy will be broadened, allowing for children with drug resistant epilepsy, as well as other seizure disorders, more alternatives.

Conclusion

CBD has turned out to be one of the additional remedies for epilepsy, which is often drug-resistant, including Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, among others. The clinical trials, followed by FDA licensure of Epidiolex, have best ascertained CBD’s seizure prophylactic effects. With any treatment, however, it is recommended that you see your doctor before adopting the use of CBD and examine any unlikely effects that might arise from drug co-administration.

Overall, the increasing evidence suggests that although CBD has not clearly outlined specific and uniform therapeutic strategies against epilepsy, it could be a very potent weapon in the management of epilepsy in the future.

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