The interest in the use of cannabidiol (CBD) is increasing. According to healthcare experts, it could be a good option for treating the symptoms of epilepsy. The FDA has approved the use of CBD-derived drug Epidiolex for treating patients with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Read on to know more about the guidelines of using CBD for treating epilepsy.
The Therapeutic Potential Of CBD
The therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD)has been known to researchers for many years, but its use was restricted because it was illegal. Researchers and healthcare experts are interested in the therapeutic value of CBD products like their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipsychotic, antiemetic, and anticonvulsant effects. Also, some healthcare experts believe that cannabidiol may be a safer option than opioid painkillers because it does not pose the risk of developing addiction in long-term usage. However, they are not used as part of conventional treatment because most data about their efficacy are based on in-vitro experiments and anecdotal evidence.
The Legalisation Of CBD
Hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) products became popular among users after the enactment of the US Farm Bill of 2018. With this legislation, industrial cultivation of the hemp plant and compounds derived from it like cannabidiol became legal at the federal level. However, CBD laws vary between the states in the US. In some states, it is legal, in some, it is partially legal, and in the rest, it is illegal.
The Effectiveness Of CBD As A Treatment For Epilepsy
Anecdotal evidence and public interest have encouraged many families to use artisanal CBD for treating drug-resistant forms of epilepsy. Remember that one of the most potent CBD health benefits is cannabidiol’s anticonvulsant effect.
Studies and investigations have shown that high-content CBD treatments have beneficial effects on patients suffering from drug-resistant forms of epilepsy. Based on studies conducted in the US and Israel, a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of seizures was observed in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. The percentage of improvement increases and improves when pure CBD is used in children with similar conditions. You must know that these studies were conducted for a period of over six months.
On a final note, it is the potential adverse effects of CBD stopping it from its widespread use. Studies are still going on to find the positive and negative effects of CBD and we will need to wait further to have more conclusive results.