What Is The Marijuana Medication For Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder marked by recurring, unprovoked seizures. While some seizures are linked to brain injuries or genetic factors, the Epilepsy Foundation notes that in many cases, the cause remains unknown.
Epilepsy affects more Americans than cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. At least one million individuals live with uncontrolled epilepsy (a form that doesn’t respond to conventional treatments) and currently, there’s no known cure.
On June 25, 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a purified cannabidiol (CBD) oral solution (≥98% oil-based extract from cannabis) developed to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome – two rare and severe forms of epilepsy.
Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb emphasized:
Cannabis & Epilepsy Research
Before its approval, Epidiolex underwent multiple clinical trials – and those results, along with other key findings on cannabinoids and seizure disorders, tell a compelling story:
CBD reduces drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at 30 clinical centers, researchers evaluated the effects of CBD when added to existing seizure medications. The study involved 225 participants with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and measured reductions in drop (atonic) seizures. Results showed:
- 41.9% reduction with 20mg CBD
- 37.2% reduction with 10mg CBD
- 17.2% reduction with placebo
CBD significantly reduces convulsive seizures in Dravet syndrome.
In a separate study, researchers randomly assigned 120 children and young adults with Dravet syndrome to receive either CBD or placebo alongside standard medications. Results revealed:
- 43% of CBD patients had ≥50% reduction in convulsive seizures
- 27% of placebo patients experienced the same
- 5% of patients receiving CBD became completely seizure-free (compared to 0% in placebo)
Total seizure frequency was significantly reduced with CBD, although it had no major effect on non-convulsive seizures.
CBDV shows broad anticonvulsant potential.
Beyond CBD, the cannabinoid cannabidivarin (CBDV) is also gaining attention. A 2012 animal study found that CBDV demonstrated strong anticonvulsant effects across a range of seizure types and models, without impairing motor coordination. Researchers concluded CBDV may serve as a valuable standalone or adjunctive treatment option for epilepsy.
CBD improves seizure severity and survival in animal models.
A 2010 study published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics found that CBD significantly reduced seizure severity, tonic-clonic episodes, and mortality in animal models. Fewer than 10% of CBD-treated animals developed tonic-clonic seizures or died – compared to 50% in the control group.
Based on this and other early work, researchers from the journal Seizure advocated for:
Trying Medical Marijuana For Epilepsy
While Epidiolex marked a milestone in epilepsy care, it’s just the beginning. Ongoing research into cannabinoids like CBD and CBDV continues to reveal promising anticonvulsant effects – often with fewer side effects than traditional pharmaceuticals. For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, medical marijuana may offer a new avenue of hope.
As always, treatment decisions should be made with your physician and guided by up-to-date clinical evidence – but the growing body of research suggests cannabis is no longer on the sidelines when it comes to seizure care. To talk to a CannaMD doctor today, call (855) 420-9170 or fill out a convenient online application.