Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. It is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world. There are several types of epilepsy and they are defined by the type of seizure a person experiences. The four different types of epilepsy are generalized epilepsy, focal epilepsy, combined generalized and focal epilepsy, and unknown epilepsy. The three primary seizure types are generalized seizures, focal seizures, and unknown seizures.

Epilepsy can be directly related to genetics, metabolic issues, brain trauma, autoimmune disorders, or infectious diseases. However, the cause of epilepsy differs for each person and some have no identifiable cause. Each cause has different symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment options meaning medical marijuana may not work for everyone with epilepsy.  

How can medical marijuana help?

People living with drug resistant epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures have reported beneficial effects and reduced seizure activity when using medical marijuana products. It is recommended that patients manage their epilepsy with high CBD or CBD dominant strains. Linalool has anticonvulsant properties and is a beneficial terpene for patients managing epilepsy.

Epidiolex, a plant-based CBD formulation from the cannabis plant, was approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy in June 2018.