CBD oil treatments for childhood epilepsy
In this article we are going to focus on how CBD oil helps in the treatments of childhood epilepsy, especially that associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, in patients aged 2 years and older.
Childhood epilepsy is a neurological disorder that alters brain activity and causes seizures of varying degrees. These seizures are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness. There are types of seizures depending on the area of the brain in which they occur.
Epilepsy generally affects 1.5% of the population. That is, in Spain there are about 705,000 people suffering from epilepsy. Of these, 33%, around 240,000 Spaniards, are resistant to treatment.
The different treatments for epilepsy, usually with drugs and occasionally with surgery, aim to control or end the seizures. The aim is for the patient to have as normal a life as possible and to avoid the damage that these seizures can cause: either encephalopathy (brain damage) or damage from falls and loss of consciousness.
CBD oil for childhood epilepsy
How can CBD oil help in childhood epilepsy?
- Reducing the number of crises significantly.
- Increasing the efficacy of other antiepileptic drugs.
- Improving the patient's general condition by mitigating pathologies associated with epilepsy such as depression, anxiety or hyperactivity.
In recent years, some drugs containing cannabinoids have been authorized for marketing. One of them is Epidiolex, whose active ingredient is CBD, and is indicated for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome in patients from 2 years of age.
Clinical Trials on Childhood Epilepsy and CBD
At least since 2014, several studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of incorporating CBD into conventional treatment in children with severe epilepsies. In 2018, in a of these studies, it was observed that incorporating CBD into conventional antiepileptics significantly reduced (more than 50%) the frequency of seizures in children with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Parents of children with resistant epilepsy, as well as the Síndrome de Dravet in Spain, have followed these studies and have reported that CBD-rich oils reduce the frequency and intensity of their children's seizures.
In 2017, clinical trial was conducted with 120 children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years. It took place in 23 centers spread across the US and Europe. The conclusions were encouraging, as 5% of the patients managed to completely eliminate seizures. Another 43% managed to reduce the number of seizures by half or more than half. In addition, the trial certified that 62% of the patients improved their general condition, since CBD contributes to a better functioning of the organism and acts on pathologies that often go hand in hand with epilepsy, such as hyperactivity, depressive behavior, anxiety and autism.
Studies on CBD oil treatment for childhood epilepsy continue and, in 2020, it was re-emphasized that it reduces premature mortality and improves the patient's overall condition.
Pathologies derived from childhood epilepsy
All the aforementioned studies, as well as testimonies from parents, corroborate that patients with resistant epilepsies develop derivative diseases that add to the main problem. The list of these other diseases is mainly summarized as:
Side effects of antiepileptic treatment drugs.- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Depression
CBD oil, in addition to its properties to drastically reduce the various types of seizures, focal or generalized, acts directly to mitigate the symptoms of anxiety, hyperactivity, depression and the main symptoms of epilepsy. In CBD you find information on all these benefits to regulate the body and return to the natural state.
Upani works to build a community of patients with chronic pathologies whose testimonials create a network of support and encouragement to make each day a little more bearable. An example of this is the recent interview with Ana Barandica and her testimony about CBD and Multiple Sclerosis.
If you are a parent or relative of a child with resistant epilepsy associated with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, we will be happy to hear your testimony, make it visible and advise you on the CBD for each case.
More about childhood epilepsy treatments and CBD
After several studies and clinical trials Epidiolex was finally approved and authorized as a drug in 2018, both in the US and in Europe. It is one of the few medicines whose active ingredient is cannabidiol that is currently approved.
There are many trials to prove the effectiveness of CBD in different pathologies while on CBD Oil in the world are adapted to its therapeutic use.
Treatments with CBD oil for childhood epilepsy start from the age of 2 years. However, the first manifestations of this resistant epilepsy usually appear in the first year of life: febrile convulsions or strong seizures accompanied by loss of consciousness are usually some of the episodes that alert about the disease.
In most cases a genetic defect is behind the disease. Up to 80% of child patients have a mutation in the SCN1 gene.
All the testimonials about the use of CBD oil in childhood epilepsy treatments will be published in the section of Upani. Be sure to write us about your experience so we can help others who are going through what you are going through.
Bibliography
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2019). Medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids: questions and answers for policy development. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
Mayo Clinic: grouping of physicians and scientists who share patient progress through a unified electronic system.
Kalapa Clinic: composed of a multidisciplinary team of doctors and researchers, united by the sincere opinion that Cannabis Sativa L has countless possible therapeutic uses.
4. Dravet Syndrome Foundation: The Scientific Committee of the Dravet Syndrome Foundation is formed by an active group of national and international professionals with expertise in medicine, research, pharmacy and regulation.
5. Canna Foundation: studies and researches the Cannabis plant and its active principles, in particular regarding its effects on the human body and mind. Links to these sources of information can be found throughout this article, dedicated to CBD oil treatments for childhood epilepsy.
*This article is purely informative. It does not provide professional, medical or legal advice.
