There is currently not enough evidence to prove that CBD might treat or cure seizures. The available studies are mixed, with some indicating that the cannabinoid might help with seizures and epilepsy and some linking it to adverse interaction with antiepileptic drugs. Since there are many uncertainties regarding CBD for seizures, one should consult a doctor before trying it.
You might have joined the CBD bandwagon and are taking this cannabinoid that many are taking. If not, you likely know a person or two taking it, and it’s no wonder. CBD has become part of the mainstream production, with many using it to manage this condition or that. CBD seems to be the answer from pain to sleep issues to depression to anxiety to various illnesses. In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug, to manage Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes, two rare forms of epilepsy caused by tuberous sclerosis. Does this mean that CBD can treat or cure seizures and epilepsy? Peer into this article to find out what CBD is, whether it helps with epilepsy and seizures, and related topics.
Understanding CBD
While many people have embraced CBD for pain, anxiety, and other things, not everyone understands it. There are more than one hundred active compounds called cannabinoids in cannabis plants, and CBD is one of them. It has a similar structure to THC, another abundant cannabinoid that’s well-studied, but it is non-psychoactive and does not cause the ‘high’ or ‘stoned’ effect. CBD comes as edibles, tinctures, oils, capsules & softgels, and topicals, all of which feature one or more of the following CBD formulations;
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum has CBD, THC, and many other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids and is linked to a full entourage effect because of the multiple compounds.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Although it does not have THC, it is more like full-spectrum CBD in composition and is linked to a full entourage effect.
Isolate-based CBD
This formulation comprises pure CBD without additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or flavonoids.
Can CBD Treat Seizures?
Proponents of CBD oil have made it seem like a one-for-all cure for all medical challenges. Even as people use CBD for pain, anxiety, depression, and other things, there is not enough evidence to prove that it can help with these conditions. Does CBD treat seizures? There are many uncertainties regarding CBD for seizures since studies are mixed. While some indicate that the cannabinoid may help with seizures and epilepsy, others indicate otherwise. Below are the analyses of a few studies on CBD for seizures and related conditions.
CBD for Seizures
Some studies show promising results that CBD might help reduce seizure attacks, including those coming from epilepsy. For instance, Devinsky et al. (2018) noted positive changes when administering CBD to various patients with seizures from different forms of epilepsy. Patients with DKL5 deficiency disorder, Dup15q, Doose, and Aicardi syndromes were given CBD (Epidiolex) doses for 48 weeks, and consistent improvements were observed. At the start, they would experience 59.5 seizures per month. Within 12 weeks of taking CBD, these reduced the seizures to 22.5 per month, and the improvements continued until the 48th week of the study. This research shows that CBD could help reduce the number of seizures, although the study used a small population that’s significant in real life but not statistically significant.
Furthermore, other studies show that CBD may help promote the working of other antiepileptic drugs. For instance, Geoffrey et al. (2015) noted that when CBD was administered alongside Clobazam, a common antiepileptic drug, it helped boost the fu functionality. The study features 25 subjects, 13 of whom were received epileptic treatment with Clobazam. It concluded that CBD was effective for augmenting the functioning of Clobazam and that it was a safe treatment method.
CBD for negative Drug Interactions with Other Drugs for Managing Seizures and Epilepsy
CBD, being a chemical substance, has the potential to interact with other drugs, which are essentially chemicals. Can CBD interact negatively with other drugs? According to the FDA, CBD might lead to suicidal thoughts or increase such thoughts in epileptic patients taking antiepileptic drugs. According to the report, such thoughts were experienced by 1 in 500 people. While the risk might seem low, it is statistically significant and a point of concern, especially since there is much about CBD that’s yet to be unveiled. Besides, it might interact adversely with other antiepileptic drugs, including topiramate, rufinamide, Clobazam, and zonisamide.
Can CBD lead to Negative Side Effects?
CBD oil is touted as safe in low dosages and well-tolerated by many. There is a need to know if it might trigger any negative side effects when taken with or without antiepileptic drugs. It is worth noting that CBD users often complain of drowsiness, loss of appetite, dizziness, and change in weight after using CBD for some time. Therefore, should you choose CBD for epilepsy and seizures, be aware that there are possible side effects that you will have to deal with.
CBD Production Is Unregulated
There are fair risks linked to CBD for seizures. The CBD arena is unregulated, creating loopholes for more risks. The only approved cannabis-derived drug regulated by FDA is Epidiolex. The FDA does not regulate non-prescription CBD.
Check for Third-Party Testing
Although the FDA does not control CBD production, most states that consider CBD legal require manufacturers to conduct 3rd party tests and provide the CoA as evidence. As such, make sure the brand from which you are buying your CBD for seizures conducts 3rd party tests for its products. Most brands upload the CoA on their website, although some only provide them upon request. The CoA indicates the cannabinoid profile, THC & CBD concentrations for the products, and their purity against standard contaminants.
Conclusion
CBD is one of the many cannabinoids the cannabis plants harbor. It has been used to manage various conditions and pain, and you might wonder whether it can help with seizures. The above writeup shows that studies are mixed on the role of CBD on seizures, with some hinting that it might reduce seizures while others are showing that it might interact negatively with other antiepileptic drugs. If you choose CBD for seizures, contact your doctor beforehand and check for 3rd party tests if you are buying non-prescription CBD.
References
Devinsky, O., Verducci, C., Thiele, E. A., Laux, L. C., Patel, A. D., Filloux, F., Szaflarski, J. P., Wilfong, A., Clark, G. D., Park, Y. D., Seltzer, L. E., Bebin, E. M., Flamini, R., Wechsler, R. T., & Friedman, D. (2018). Open-Label Use Of Highly Purified CBD (Epidiolex®) In Patients With CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder And Aicardi, Dup15q, And Doose Syndromes. Epilepsy & Behavior: E&B, 86, 131–137.
Geffrey, A. L., Pollack, S. F., Bruno, P. L., & Thiele, E. A. (2015). Drug-Drug Interaction Between Clobazam And Cannabidiol In Children With Refractory Epilepsy. Epilepsia, 56(8), 1246–1251.
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