Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy
Supporting the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy under medical supervision
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that occur without a clear trigger.
* Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
* The brain controls thoughts, movements, sensations, and emotions through electrical signals transmitted between nerve cells.
Epilepsy can occur at any age, and its severity can vary greatly from person to person.
How Do Seizures Occur?
- Seizures occur when the normal electrical activity in the brain is disrupted or becomes abnormal.
- This may result in bursts of excessive electrical activity occurring intermittently.
- The effects depend on which part of the brain is affected.
Types of Seizures
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures
Loss of consciousness, muscle stiffening, and rhythmic jerking movements of the body.
Absence Seizures
Brief periods of impaired awareness or staring spells.
Focal Seizures
Seizures that affect only a specific area of the brain.
Generalized Seizures
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How Common Is Epilepsy?
Medication can control seizures in approximately 70% of people with epilepsy.
Surgery or other treatment options may be considered when medication does not adequately control seizures.
Treatment plans are highly individualized.
What Factors May Contribute to Epilepsy?
Epilepsy can result from a variety of factors. In some cases, the underlying cause may be clear, while in others, the cause remains unknown.
Brain-Related Factors
- Brain injury
- Stroke
- Brain infections
- Structural abnormalities of the brain
Other Factors
- * Genetic factors
- * Sleep deprivation
- * Severe stress or significant sleep deprivation may trigger seizures in people who are at risk.
A Well-Known Case That Changed the Direction of Epilepsy Research
Charlotte Figi, an 8-year-old girl with Dravet syndrome, attracted international attention to the potential role of CBD in treating drug-resistant epilepsy after experiencing a substantial reduction in seizure frequency when other medications had been unsuccessful.
Her case played an important role in encouraging further scientific research into the therapeutic use of cannabis and cannabinoids for epilepsy.
What Does the Research Show?
Key Findings from Clinical Studies
* 162 patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy were treated with purified CBD.
* The median reduction in seizure frequency was 36.5%.
* 2% of patients experienced no seizures throughout the study period.
* Most side effects were mild to moderate in severity.
CBD was used as an adjunctive treatment under medical supervision.
What We Still Need to Understand
- Research evidence is still evolving.
- Reported side effects include drowsiness, fatigue, and diarrhea.
- CBD is not a standalone treatment that can cure epilepsy.
- The long-term effects of CBD are still being studied.
What Does This Mean for People with Epilepsy?
Research suggests that CBD may help some people with treatment-resistant epilepsy. However, responses to treatment vary from person to person. Therefore, individualized clinical assessment is important to determine whether medical cannabis is appropriate for a particular patient.
Consult a Doctor About Epilepsy and Treatment Options
Our doctors can help assess whether medical cannabis may be appropriate for your epilepsy and provide personalized guidance based on your individual condition.
With individualized assessment and treatment recommendations.
