Epilepsy Article

Can Cannabis Treat Epileptic Seizures?

Source: 
https://www.scientificamerican.com

Link: 
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-cannabis-treat-epileptic-seizures/

Article Summary: 
Charlotte Figi, an eight-year-old with Dravet syndrome, gained attention in 2013 when her seizures dramatically decreased with medical marijuana, sparking interest in cannabis as a treatment for treatment-resistant epilepsy. Recently, Orrin Devinsky and colleagues conducted a landmark study, published in The Lancet Neurology, treating 162 patients with a high-CBD cannabis extract alongside their regular medications. The study found a median reduction in motor seizures of 36.5%, with 2% of patients becoming seizure-free. Although 79% reported side effects like sleepiness and diarrhea, few withdrew from the study due to adverse events.   Interest in CBD, a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, has surged due to its potential therapeutic benefits, distinct from THC’s intoxicating effects. Despite the trial’s strengths, including size, it lacked a control group, raising concerns about placebo effects and drug interactions. Nonetheless, experts believe the study marks a crucial step in establishing CBD’s safety and efficacy in epilepsy treatment, advocating for further research to refine understanding and clinical application. While cautious optimism surrounds CBD’s promise, ongoing trials aim to address these gaps, offering hope for better treatment options in epilepsy care.