Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a compound found in marijuana and industrial hemp. Although technically illegal under federal law, fourteen states currently have approved the use of CBD oil almost exclusively to treat seizures and epilepsy.
It seems as if CBD oil may be an effective treatment for epilepsy or other seizure disorders, but the question many people have is – how does CBD oil help with seizures?
How Does CBD Help With Seizures and Epilepsy?
Several studies suggest that multiple compounds found in CBD oil are anticonvulsant, which would reduce seizure frequency and intensity. It also seems that CBD helps to prevent neuron damage, which can also trigger seizures.
The complete mechanism for CBD’s effects on epilepsy are not entirely known yet, but the amount of evidence supporting the case for CBD use is mounting. Researchers are hoping to pinpoint the exact mechanism behind CBD’s effects on epileptic patients, but for now we do know that it is anticonvulsant in nature.
The Research Behind CBD Oil
There are studies and research involving CBD oil that date all the way back to 1975, when it was first suggested that CBD may benefit those with seizure disorders.
In a report published in 1975, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a 24 year old man was able to completely control his seizure attacks when using marijuana (high CBD concentration/low THC concentration). The 24 year old had previously been complaining of grand mal seizure attacks as often as every two months before taking CBD. After taking CBD, he was free of seizure attacks for years.
Another study published in 1980 found that patients given 200 to 300 milligrams of CBD oil along with their antiepileptic drugs showed significant improvement in their ability to control seizure attacks. They also showed little to no adverse reactions to the use of CBD, other than occasional tiredness or sleepiness.
Recent CBD Oil News
Recent studies is even more telling about the real power of CBD oil and almost every day, a news story reports an instance where CBD has helped a child with epilepsy.
One of the most well-known stories is of an 8 year old boy named Forest Smelser, who was given CBD oil after his anti-seizure medicines caused him frequent and severe side effects. According to his mother, Forest would fight, punch himself, and had suicidal thoughts while on his anti-epileptic medicine.
However, after taking CBD oil, the side effects of his anti-epileptic meds have disappeared, and Forest still is seizure-free.
Forest’s case is just one of the hundreds of cases reported by local news outlets over the past few years. With over 490,000 children suffering from epilepsy in the United States, researchers are hopeful that more attention will be paid to CBD to help the children just like Forest live a happier, higher quality life.
Is CBD Oil Legal?
Despite the growing amount of anecdotal evidence and real physical data supporting the case for CBD oil as a treatment for epilepsy, only fourteen states currently have approved the use of CBD oil under special circumstances.
Almost every state enables the use for CBD oil in children with epilepsy, but some states require parents to prove that antiepileptic medications have not worked properly or have caused a negative impact on the child’s quality of life.
With the growing amount of research and overwhelming public support for the use of CBD, it seems like it is only a matter of time before CBD oil finally becomes legal so that all people, including children suffering from epilepsy will be able to reap the benefits of CBD oil.