In recent years, the conversation surrounding medical marijuana has evolved significantly, with scientific evidence mounting in support of its therapeutic potential. One area where marijuana-derived treatments have shown remarkable promise is in the management of epilepsy—a neurological disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide.
Among the cannabinoids found in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD) has garnered the most attention for its anticonvulsant properties. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not induce a “high.” This characteristic has made it a compelling candidate for use in pediatric and adult patients alike.
A landmark moment in the medical marijuana landscape came in 2018, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a purified form of CBD, for the treatment of Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome—two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. This approval was based on multiple clinical trials showing a significant reduction in seizure frequency among patients treated with CBD.
In one randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2017), patients with Dravet syndrome experienced a 39% reduction in convulsive seizures after receiving CBD, compared to a 13% reduction in the placebo group.
Additional research continues to support the use of cannabinoids in epilepsy treatment. A review published in Frontiers in Neurology (2019) concluded that CBD presents a “favorable safety profile” and is particularly effective in treatment-resistant forms of epilepsy.
However, experts caution that while CBD holds great potential, it is not a universal remedy. Dr. Orrin Devinsky, a leading neurologist and author of several CBD studies, notes that “not all patients respond to CBD, and further research is essential to fully understand its mechanism of action and long-term effects.”
There are also legal and regulatory hurdles. Although Epidiolex is FDA-approved, access to medical marijuana and CBD products varies significantly from state to state. Moreover, the lack of standardization across cannabis products can make dosing and consistency a challenge.
Despite these limitations, the body of scientific evidence supporting marijuana’s role in epilepsy treatment continues to grow. For many patients and families, cannabinoid therapies have offered a life-changing alternative when traditional medications have failed.
As the medical community continues to explore the complex pharmacology of cannabis, one thing is clear: marijuana, particularly CBD, is no longer on the fringes of epilepsy treatment—it is fast becoming a legitimate and scientifically backed option in the neurological toolkit.
References:
Devinsky, O., Cross, J. H., Laux, L., et al. (2017). Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(21), 2011–2020. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1611618
Silvestro, S., Mammana, S., Cavalli, E., Bramanti, P., Mazzon, E. (2019). Use of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Efficacy and Security in Clinical Trials. Frontiers in Neurology, 10, 136. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00136
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2018). FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
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Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy: A Growing Case for Cannabinoid-Based Therapies
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