CBD May Help Reduce Seizures in Complex Epilepsy Cases

Source: Epilepsy research

Summary

Researchers studied the effects of a highly purified form of cannabidiol (CBD), known as Epidiolex® or Epidyolex®, on people with various types of epilepsy, particularly those with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) and complex treatment-resistant epilepsies (TREs). They reviewed 57 studies involving 971 patients, many of whom had conditions like focal/multifocal-onset epilepsy and Angelman syndrome. The goal was to see how effective CBD was in reducing seizure frequency and to assess any side effects experienced by the patients.

The review found that CBD could help reduce the number of seizures for many patients with DEEs and TREs. In fact, 47 of the studies reported that at least one patient experienced fewer seizures, with some patients becoming seizure-free for over 48 days. However, side effects were also noted, with most being mild to moderate. The most common side effects included gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, decreased appetite, and vomiting.

These findings are important because they suggest that CBD may be a useful treatment option for people with difficult-to-treat epilepsy. However, it's essential to note that many of the studies were small or based on individual cases, which means more extensive research is needed to confirm these results. Understanding the potential benefits and risks can help families make informed decisions about treatment options for epilepsy.

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