Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that comes from Cannabis sativa or hemp. There is evidence of cannabis being used as a treatment for many medical ailments for centuries [1]. However, the organic compounds of cannabis, such as CBD, have only gained the attention of researchers in more recent years. Ever since the FDA approved Epidiolex as a treatment for rare forms of epilepsy in 2018, more people have been searching for CBD for seizures [2].
For people who have drug-resistant epilepsy, Epidiolex and CBD oil has become a source of hope. Here is what you have to know about taking CBD for seizures, including the benefits, risks, and more.
What are Seizures?
According to John Hopkins Medicine, a seizure is a “burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells that causes temporary abnormalities” within the body [3]. Sometimes, a seizure may occur randomly. For others with epilepsy, their seizures are recurring and may be treated with medications.
Many rare forms resist treatment, making them all the more severe for those afflicted with them. Some rare forms include Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
How Does CBD Work For Seizures?
Despite all the research on CBD for seizures and even the approval of Epidiolex after rigorous testing, how CBD helps is not entirely known.
It is believed that cannabinoids like CBD interact with endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors that are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems [4]. Interestingly, the ECS is also a bit of a mystery to researchers. What they do know is that the ECS regulates a number of bodily functions related to homeostasis. Upon entering the body, CBD moves to bind to the receptors, causing reactions.
Animal studies show that CBD inhibits certain receptors responsible for seizures, including GPR55 and TRPV1 [5].
Research on CBD For Seizures
There are many clinical studies ongoing. However, some of the vastest and most well-funded studies pertain to CBD and the three forms of epilepsy that Epidiolex has been approved to treat, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Here is some information on the studies on CBD for seizures:
CBD as a Treatment for LGS Research
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is rare, making up about 5% of childhood epilepsy. There were two clinical trials to see how effective CBD was for LGS that lasted 14 weeks each [6].
The first phase of the study looked at 20 mg/kg of CBD and compared it with a placebo. About 44% of the patients who used Epidiolex experienced far fewer seizures.
The second phase provided patients with either 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of CBD. Both groups that had CBD saw a 37-42% decrease in their seizures, in comparison to the placebo group.
CBD as a Treatment for DS Research
Dravet syndrome is another rare form of epilepsy that is treatment-resistant. In the clinical trial, researchers assembled participants between the ages of 2 and 18 [7]. Each individual received either a placebo or 20 mg/kg of Epidiolex. Those who had CBD experienced a 39% decrease in seizures. Those who had the placebo had a 17% decrease.
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CBD for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research
Tuberous sclerosis complex is not a form of epilepsy, but it can cause seizures in some people. This rare genetic condition causes tumors to grow throughout the body. Sometimes, tumors grow in the brain.
In 2016, researchers gave 18 participants with a TSC diagnosis of CBD for a year [8]. The initial dose was 5 mg/kg/day then was increased incrementally until the end dose was 50 mg/kg/day. At the end of the study, the researchers found that there was a 48% reduction in seizures throughout the 12 months of the study.
Other CBD for Seizures Research
More research is underway to see if CBD is effective for other forms of seizures. That said, prior research provided promising evidence. For instance, research from 2015 suggested that cannabidiol interacts well with clobazam, an anti-seizure medication [9].
Another study from 2018 sought to find how effective CBD was for CDKL5 deficiency disorder, Dup15q syndrome, Aicardi syndrome, and Doose syndrome [10]. 55 people were used in the study. At the beginning, the average frequency of seizures was 59.4 per month. By the twelfth week of the study, the frequency had dropped to 22.5 seizures a month. This persisted for a total of 48 weeks.
As such, researchers are more motivated to see if they can replicate these results and begin clinical trials. It will still be some time before the public knows whether CBD is useful for more than a handful of seizures.
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What are the Benefits of Using CBD?
The above-mentioned research suggests that CBD oil may have the ability to decrease the frequency of seizures. Keep in mind that not every CBD oil is approved for treating seizures, only Epidiolex. Furthermore, Epidiolex is only seizures caused by LGS, DS, and TSC.
Animal research also found CBD to be a possible treatment for inflammation and neuropathic pain [11]. Moreover, studies support the belief that CBD is an anti-hyperalgesic and antinociceptive [12]. That means that cannabidiol may block pain signals to nerves, decreasing your sensitivity to pain.
Living with epilepsy may also lead to increased anxiety and depression. Research has detected some anti-anxiety effects in CBD, though more research is needed. One study from 2011 found that 600 mg was enough to reduce anxiety when the participants were subjected to stressful situations [13].
What is the Best Way to Use CBD for Seizures?
Using CBD as a treatment for anything on your own is not advised. For the safest outcome, it is best to partner up with your preferred physician. Your doctor can guide you toward an appropriate dose. If need be, they may even be able to give you a prescription for Epidiolex.
Furthermore, because there have been instances of CBD increasing the frequency of some individuals with seizures, you will need a doctor to help monitor your symptoms.
Presently, the best way to take CBD for seizures is Epidiolex. The starting dose is 2.5mg/kg twice a day. That means someone who is 150 lbs (68 kg) will need 170 mg twice a day. After a week at that amount, you can increase the amount to 5 mg per kg twice a day. Should that amount be well tolerated, you can move on to 10 mg/kg two times a day.
Are There Any Drawbacks to Using CBD for Seizures?
CBD is generally tolerated by most people who take it, but that does not mean it is without side effects. People commonly report a loss of appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, and diarrhea when taking CBD. Additionally, CBD may interact with certain medications, causing liver damage. If you are taking a prescription drug with a grapefruit warning on the label, it is best to avoid CBD for now.
It is also important to get CBD that has been third-party tested for purity. There are many CBD products on the market that have not been analyzed. Make sure you are getting high-quality CBD to ensure you are getting the benefits you want.
Get Your High-Quality CBD From Sugar Bottom Hemp
Although research is currently looking into using CBD for seizures, cannabidiol has already been approved by the FDA for rare forms of epilepsy. Other investigations point to CBD being useful for other forms of seizures, as well. Hopefully, the future will bring more possibilities for CBD as a therapy or treatment for epilepsy.
If you have been cleared to try CBD, then make sure you are getting products of the highest quality, like those from Sugar Bottom Hemp. We take great pride in our organically grown hemp, minimally processed CBD extracts, and a wide variety of products. Why not check out our store to see what you will find? We have something for everyone, even your beloved pets!
Bibliography
- Friedman, D., & Sirven, J. I. (2017). Historical perspective on the medical use of cannabis for epilepsy: Ancient times to the 1980s. Epilepsy &Amp; Behavior, 70, 298–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.11.033
- Office of the Commissioner. (2020, July 31). FDA Approves New Indication for Drug Containing an Active Ingredient Derived from Cannabis to Treat Seizures in Rare Genetic Disease. U.S. Food And Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-indication-drug-containing-active-ingredient-derived-cannabis-treat-seizures-rare
- Types of Seizures. (2021, August 8). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/epilepsy/types-of-seizures
- Murillo-Rodriguez, E., Pastrana-Trejo, J. C., Salas-Crisóstomo, M., & de-la-Cruz, M. (2017). The Endocannabinoid System Modulating Levels of Consciousness, Emotions and Likely Dream Contents. CNS &Amp; Neurological Disorders – Drug Targets, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.2174/1871527316666170223161908
- Gray, R.A. and Whalley, B.J. (2020), The proposed mechanisms of action of CBD in epilepsy. Epileptic Disorders, 22: S10-S15. https://doi.org/10.1684/epd.2020.1135
- Devinsky, O., Patel, A. D., Cross, J. H., Villanueva, V., Wirrell, E. C., Privitera, M., Greenwood, S. M., Roberts, C., Checketts, D., VanLandingham, K. E., & Zuberi, S. M. (2018). Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 378(20), 1888–1897. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa1714631
- Devinsky, O., Cross, J. H., Laux, L., Marsh, E., Miller, I., Nabbout, R., Scheffer, I. E., Thiele, E. A., & Wright, S. (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
- Hess, E. J., Moody, K. A., Geffrey, A. L., Pollack, S. F., Skirvin, L. A., Bruno, P. L., Paolini, J. L., & Thiele, E. A. (2016). Cannabidiol as a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex. Epilepsia, 57(10), 1617–1624. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13499
- 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. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.13060
- 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
