Medicinal Cannabis for Epilepsy
Supporting treatment-resistant epilepsy under medical supervision
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
- Seizures occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- The brain controls thoughts, movement, sensation, and emotion through electrical signals between nerve cells.
Epilepsy affects people of all ages and varies widely in severity
How Seizures Occur
- Seizures happen when normal electrical activity in the brain becomes disrupted.
- This can result in excessive bursts of electrical signals
- The effects depend on which part of the brain is involved
Types of Seizures
Tonic-clonic seizures
Loss of consciousness, muscle stiffness, and jerking movements
Absence seizures
Brief lapses in awareness or "black" episodes
Focal onset seizures
Seizures affecting one area of the brain
Generalised onset seizures
Seizures involving both sides of the brain
How Common Is Epilepsy
Medication controls seizures in approximately 70% of people with epilepsy.
Surgery or other interventions may be considered when medication is ineffective.
Treatment plans are highly individual.
What Can Contribute to Epilepsy
Epilepsy can arise from various factors-some may have a clear origin, while others remain unexplained:
Brain-related factors
- Brain injury
- Stroke
- Brain infection
- Structural abnormalities
Other factors
- Genetic factors
- Sleep deprivation
- Extreme stress or significant sleep deprivation can trigger seizures in susceptible individuals.
A Well-Known Case that Changed Epilepsy Research
Charlotte Figi, an eight-year-old girl with Dravet syndrome, brought international attention to the potential role of CBD in treatment-resistant epilepsy after experiencing a significant reduction in seizures when other medications had failed.
Her case helped drive further scientific research into cannabis-based treatments for epilepsy.
What Does the Research Show?
Key findings from clinical studies
- 162 patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy were treated with purified CBD
- Median seizure reduction of 36.5%
- 2% became seizure-free during the study period
- Most adverse effects were mild to moderate
Add-on therapy under medical supervision
What We Still Need to Understand
- Evidence is still evolving.
- Side effects such as sleepiness, fatigue, and diarrhoea were reported.
- CBD is not a standalone cure.
- Long-term effects continue to be studied.
What Does This Mean for People with Epilepsy?
Research suggests CBD may help some individuals with treatment-resistant epilepsy, but response varies. A personalized clinical assessment is essential to determine whether medicinal cannabis may be appropriate
Talk to a Doctor About Epilepsy and Treatment Options
Our clinicians can help you understand if medicinal cannabis might be appropriate for your epilepsy symptoms.
Personalised assessment and guidance available