Can CBD Help Manage Seizures? A Closer Look at the Scientific Evidence

Seizure disorders affect millions globally, with life-threatening consequences for many. In the U.S., up to 50,000 deaths occur each year due to prolonged seizures, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and seizure-related accidents. With 3 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide living with epilepsy, finding effective treatments is critical. While there are conventional anti-seizure medications, nearly 40% of patients do not respond to the first medication they try, leaving many still vulnerable to debilitating and potentially fatal seizures.

This is where CBD offers a new horizon of hope. CBD, already approved by the FDA for specific types of seizure disorders, has shown promise in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures. For patients who haven’t responded to traditional treatments, CBD represents an alternative that could change their quality of life. The scientific community continues to explore how CBD works in the brain to offer these life-changing benefits, further solidifying its role in seizure management. Let’s explore the science behind this medical breakthrough.

Understanding Seizures

Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can drastically affect a person’s behavior, movement, and consciousness. The causes of seizures are varied and complex, including genetic factors, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), strokes, vascular abnormalities, as well as those of unknown origin. Military personnel, for example, are at increased risk, with an estimated 440,000 U.S. soldiers expected to develop traumatic brain injury from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Out of this number, over 100,000 are predicted to develop post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Seizures can also result from sports-related injuries such as concussions, which, if left untreated, can develop into long-term neurological issues.

Epilepsy doesn’t discriminate—it affects people of all ages and backgrounds. In fact, each year, approximately 200,000 people are diagnosed with epilepsy in the U.S. alone, and 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime. Despite the availability of medications, only about 50-60% of patients achieve seizure control with their first prescribed treatment. This leaves a significant portion of the population struggling to manage their condition with limited options. With seizures potentially leading to complications like depression, bipolar disorder, or even premature death, the need for effective treatments is crucial.

What Is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD does not produce euphoria. It has been studied extensively for its medicinal properties, including its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-anxiety, and anticonvulsant effects. For individuals with epilepsy, CBD has emerged as a promising treatment due to its ability to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, along with an array of other receptors prominent to antiepileptic effects.

CBD’s Role in Seizure Management 

While many applications for CBD are awaiting further research to verify its efficacy, CBD for use as an anti-convulsant is approved by the FDA, deeming it an effective treatment for various seizure disorders. Epidiolex is the first and only FDA-approved drug with plant-derived CBD and is a breakthrough in treating rare and drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Both of these conditions are notoriously resistant to conventional anti-seizure medications, leaving patients with limited treatment options. CBD has transformed the treatment landscape for these patients, offering seizure reduction and, in some cases, complete seizure freedom.

Epidiolex’s approval was based on robust clinical trials that demonstrated its effectiveness and safety. In double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, patients treated with Epidiolex experienced a notable reduction in seizure frequency compared to those given a placebo, offering a significant improvement in quality of life.

CBD exerts its anti-seizure effects by interacting with certain receptors that regulate excitatory and inhibitory signals, including sodium and calcium channels, the endocannabinoid system, and neural pathways. Additionally, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects hold great value for patients with seizure disorders. There have been an array of clinical trials and studies that have demonstrated CBD’s ability to significantly reduce the frequency and duration of seizures across a broad spectrum of seizure disorders, supporting CBD’s efficacy as an anti-seizure agent. According to studies¹ published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), CBD displays strong anti-seizure properties both in laboratory settings (in vitro) and in clinical trials (in vivo). It has been found to reduce epileptiform activity, offering relief even in cases resistant to other treatments.

In real-world applications, the impact of CBD has been just as compelling. A survey² conducted among 117 parents of children with epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, found that 85% of parents reported a reduction in seizure frequency after administering CBD products. Notably, 14% of parents even reported complete seizure freedom in their children. These promising results, combined with the fact that 34% of sudden deaths in children are caused by epilepsy, underscore CBD’s potential to provide relief for patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options.

Additionally, ongoing research is exploring the use of CBDA, the precursor to CBD, as a potentially more effective treatment due to its higher bioavailability. CBDA is absorbed more readily by the body, which could lead to more potent effects at lower doses. GW Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Epidiolex, is actively pursuing a patent for CBDA as an anti-seizure medicine, hoping to expand further the arsenal of treatments available for epilepsy and other seizure disorders.

The journey toward effective seizure management is ongoing, but the approval of CBD-based medications like Epidiolex marks a significant milestone. For many patients, particularly those who have been resistant to traditional anti-seizure drugs, CBD represents not just a new treatment option but a renewed sense of hope. The scientific evidence supporting CBD’s anti-convulsant properties is growing, and future advancements, such as the development of CBDA-based therapies, could offer even greater possibilities for seizure control.

As research continues, CBD’s role in epilepsy treatment is likely to expand, giving patients more options in managing their condition. For now, CBD stands as a groundbreaking development in the fight against seizures, transforming lives and offering hope to those who need it most.

Study Reference:

^{1. Jones, N. A., Hill, A. J., Smith, I., Bevan, S. A., Williams, C. M., Whalley, B. J., & Stephens, G. J. (2010). Cannabidiol displays antiepileptiform and antiseizure properties in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 332(2), 569–577. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.109.159145}

^{2. Hussain, S. A., Zhou, R., Jacobson, C., Weng, J., Cheng, E., Lay, J., Hung, P., Lerner, J. T., & Sankar, R. (2015). Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Epilepsy & Behavior, 47, 138–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.04.009}