A brief review on epilepsy

By João R. Negromonte

Epilepsy, or seizures, occur due to abnormal activities of brain cells, often caused by traumas such as ischemic stroke, neoplasms, idiopathic, and postoperative. Symptoms can vary from uncontrolled and involuntary muscle contractions, especially in the arms, legs, and chest, excessive salivation, difficulty breathing, among others.

Studies

Among the numerous evidence found regarding cannabis treatment for epilepsy, one that stands out is the study conducted by the Brazilian Center for Information on Psychotropic Drugs (CEBRID) in 1980, led by Professor Elisaldo Carlini. The research highlighted the benefits of CBD against seizures, first in tests with mice and then in trials with adults. For four months, eight patients with the disease received daily doses of 300mg of cannabidiol. The results were encouraging, as four of the participants no longer had seizures, three showed partial improvement of symptoms, while only one did not show clinical improvement.

Study Review

A study conducted by the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and published in the scientific journal, BMJ Paediatrics Open, demonstrated the effects of cannabis on patients with some epileptic dysfunction. The study involved 10 children diagnosed with severe epilepsy, aged between 1 and 13 years, each taking an average of 5.15 mg of THC and 171.8 mg of CBD per day.

Results were collected by phone or video conference between January and May 2021, where the parents of the minors reported to the researchers the experience of these patients. The group of researchers acknowledges that the study involved a small number of participants and that more studies on the subject are needed. However, the children who participated in the study were using an average of seven medications for epilepsy treatment, and after starting to take the cannabis extract made from the whole plant, with all cannabinoids present, the overall average dropped to just one medication, with seven of them stopping the use of any medication other than the extract. In addition, parents and guardians reported significant improvements in the health and well-being of their children, including improved sleep, eating, behavior, and cognition, after starting to take cannabis products.

Today, some medications derived from the plant, such as Epidiolex, which contains a formulation of cannabidiol (CBD), are already part of the repertoire of treatment alternatives for this type of pathology.

Thus, the celebration of World Epilepsy Awareness Day should be increasingly accompanied by studies that demonstrate the benefits of cannabis for this and various other diseases.

Events

Have you already registered for the largest fair on the medicinal use of cannabis in Brazil? Access here and secure your presence

The Brazilian Medicinal Cannabis Congress takes place within the MEDICAL CANNABIS FAIR and is divided as follows:

Block 1 – Health (May 3 and 4, 2022):

Doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals will present and discuss the main findings and trends for the use of Cannabis in the treatment of different pathologies, including case studies.

Block 2 – Legislation and Business (May 5 and 6, 2022):

Entrepreneurs, pharmaceutical executives, legislators, lawyers, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals will come together to present and discuss the evolution of the Cannabis market in Brazil and worldwide, opportunities for investing, working, and undertaking in this sector – assisting not only in the economic and social development of the country.

Participants will receive a certificate of participation in the Brazilian Medicinal Cannabis Congress - 2022 issued by Sechat - curator and organizer of the event.

Check the schedule, some confirmed speakers, and make your purchase here