Why Is CBD Recommended for Treating Epilepsy?

CBD (Cannabidiol) comes from the cannabis plant, but unlike marijuana, CBD products generally do not contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tetrahydrocannabinol is what causes users to get high. The FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) has approved some CBD products to treat medical conditions like epilepsy.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects about 50 million people all around the world. Seizures are one of the most significant indicators of epilepsy. They are caused by electrical activity in the brain. Most of the time, the electrical impulses cause uncontrollable muscle spasms/twitches or loss of awareness for periods of time.

The History of Epilepsy and Cannabis

Cannabis use for medical purposes dates way back. In 1843, Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an Irish physician, became famous for treating a 40-day-old epileptic baby with cannabis extracts.

What Is Epidiolex?

Epidiolex is a CBD solution that the FDA authorized to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in people two or older. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome are rare forms of epilepsy.

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome often starts during childhood. Most patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome suffer from repeated seizures between the ages of three and five. Tonic seizures—ones that cause the muscles to contract—affect more than 75 percent of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Many children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome struggle with everyday chores due to intellectual impairments or develop motor skills later than their peers.

Dravet Syndrome

Dravet syndrome is a genetic disorder that usually first manifests as fever-induced seizures during a baby’s youngest years. As they get older, people with Dravet syndrome typically experience myoclonic seizures, which are uncontrollable muscle spasms. Dravet syndrome could lead to status epilepticus, which is a state of continuous seizures. Status epilepticus could cause dangerous or even deadly brain damage.

Dravet syndrome often impacts a child’s ability to empathize with others and can delay or disrupt their speech and motor skills development.

Epidiolex Research Studies

Epidiolex went through clinical trials to ensure the drug was safe and effective before the FDA approved it. A double-blind trial involving 516 patients who suffered from either Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome was performed to confirm the efficacy of Epidiolex. In comparison to the placebo, Epidiolex effectively reduced the occurrence of seizures.

Did Epidiolex Have Side Effects During the Trials?

Out of the 516 patients who participated in the trials, some who received Epidiolex experienced side effects. While the list of possible side effects is long, it is crucial to remember that no medical treatment is perfect, and patients often react differently to certain medications. Since epilepsy can be destructive, medical experts recommend that patients consult with their doctor or other healthcare provider to determine if Epidiolex or another CBD product is right for them.

Documented side effects include:

• Sleepiness or lethargy
• Liver problems
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Fatigue or weakness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Infection

Will Medical Insurance Pay for CBD Oil?

CBD oil improves the quality of life for many people, but unfortunately, most insurance companies will not pay for CBD oil or similar products even if it is recommended by a doctor. As the first FDA-approved drug with CBD, Epidiolex is the exception.

What Are Some Other Benefits of CBD?

Many turn to CBD products to improve their health. Researchers are just scratching the surface of CBD’s benefits, but some research shows that Cannabidiol can help people manage mental health problems like anxiety and stress. Others use CBD to improve their sleep or to alleviate physical pain.

What Types of CBD Products Are Available?

There are a variety of CBD products available to satisfy everyone’s preferences. Some of the more popular product categories are oils, creams, tinctures, edibles and pet products.

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Nobody deserves to live in pain, so we aim to eliminate CBD misinformation and educate consumers about CBD’s health benefits. If you’d like to try some CBD products to see if they improve your quality of life, consider shopping CBDPure.