Can CBD Help With Epilepsy?

There’s a high likelihood that those who suffer from epilepsy or have loved ones suffering from this disease have heard about Cannabinol, commonly called CBD. It is even common to hear about CBD and epilepsy nowadays since the topic has been making headlines in recent years. With all the attention CBD is getting in the epilepsy departments around the globe, we all agree that patients and patients deserve to know more about it as a potential treatment for epilepsy.

What Information Is There About CBD As A Treatment For Epilepsy?

Specialists agree that epilepsy drugs do not work that well. Some reports even say that epilepsy medications may not work at all for around a third of the patients suffering from the conditions. Considering this, experts have been looking for better alternatives to treat the particular hard-to-treat types of epilepsy, especially due to the fact that they can lead to premature death among the patients. CBD has, in such situations, revolutionised how patients with certain epilepsies live with their conditions. This cannabinoid has been successful in certain cases and offers a better option to other treatments.

What Evidence Is There That CBD Can Help With Epilepsy?

Obviously, this is the million-dollar question for most patients and their loved ones. Currently, the best proof that Cannabidiol helps with epilepsy is drug Epidiolex. In 2018, the FDA of the USA approved Epidiolex as a treatment for Lennox Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome epilepsies in patients from 2 years and above. It is worth knowing that Epidiolex, which is manufactured by a British biopharmaceutical company GW Pharmaceuticals is 99% CBD.

It is reported that there are about 10,000 people suffering from the above-mentioned epilepsies. LGS or Dravet Syndrome epilepsies do not respond well to treatment and are reported as having a high mortality rate. A lot of patients suffering from LGS or Dravet have multiple seizures in a day are at the risk of dying before they reach their early 20s. With CBD drug Epidiolex, things change significantly.

A review done in 2019 on the use and investigation of Epidiolex showed a significant reduction of the seizure occurrence. Patients taking Epidiolex had their seizures reduced to about a half. Also, a less severe post-seizure period is experienced by epilepsy patients using this drug.

A study found that consumption of medical-grade CBD with a combination of conventional medication promises a reduction in seizures occurrence and improves the quality of life in the patients.

Experts say that high-quality research into the use of CBD for epilepsy is little. Nevertheless, the studies done are promising, especially considering that this cannabinoid possesses anti-epileptic properties.

Since epilepsy is characterised by seizures, experts believe that since CBD has been found to lessen seizure severity in lab mice, it may help epilepsy patients the same way. Other studies conducted have shown that the plant-based CBD is a better alternative to traditional therapies for people with epilepsy.

Can I Buy And Consume CBD In The UK?

Cannabidiol, in general, is said to help and so is CBD oil itself. CBD oil is legal in the United Kingdom and is available in various stores. Just make sure you buy from trusted sellers and specialist. It is possible to get a low quality of the product since not all people know about CBD.

Patients and loved ones can now buy the cannabidiol drug for epilepsy in the UK. Sometime in 2019, the UK authorities approved the use of Epidiolex for seizures associated with two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome 2 years and older patients, just like in the US.

Are There Any Side Effects Of CBD For Epilepsy Which I Should Be Concerned With?

The CBD epilepsy drug Epidiolex is said to cause sleepiness, poor quality sleep and even insomnia. A patient might also experience a reduced appetite, diarrhoea and fatigue.

For patients using CBD oil for their epilepsy, there are almost zero side effects. The few that may come to include changes in appetite, diarrhoea and tiredness.

What’s The Takeaway On CBD As A Treatment For Epilepsy?

The fact that there is a plant-based CBD product, Epidiolex that is used to treat certain types of epilepsy is a big win for CBD as a treatment for epilepsy. Also, the additional clinical studies conducted may lead to other discoveries which might help open the door to how CBD can be used for other epilepsies.

Please note that more studies are being done on CBD and CBD product Epidiolex on epilepsy patients. The results so far have been encouraging for both effectiveness and minimal side effects.