Study reveals relief with cannabis in severe cases of epilepsy
19 Canadian patients with drug-resistant epilepsy experienced significant relief from seizures with the use of medicinal cannabis, including cases with over a year without seizures
Imagine living under the constant threat of seizures. For those living with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), this is an exhausting and often desperate reality.
A new light begins to shine on the horizon: a series of cases conducted at a neurology clinic in Canada shows that medicinal cannabis can be a powerful ally in changing this story.
The study followed 19 patients diagnosed with DRE, 15 of them children and adolescents, and 4 adults, who started using cannabis-based products with cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The results are impressive: all of them experienced significant relief from convulsive seizures (CS), with an average duration of 245 seizure-free days.
The real impact on patients' lives
This freedom, known as "seizure freedom" (SF), is the ultimate goal of any epilepsy treatment. And it's not just momentary relief: five patients were able to go over a year without experiencing seizures, something almost unthinkable before the introduction of medicinal cannabis.
In addition, three patients were able to completely stop using traditional anticonvulsant medications. For many, this meant not only fewer side effects, but a significant improvement in quality of life, for themselves and also for their families.
CBD and THC together: a combination that makes a difference
Most participants used a combination of CBD with THC, following a gradual protocol adopted by the Canadian clinic. The idea is to carefully and closely monitor to find the ideal dosage for each patient.
The results indicate that THC, often viewed with suspicion, can play an important role in reducing seizures when well administered.
Despite the advancements, half of the patients reported adverse effects, emphasizing the importance of close and individualized medical monitoring, as well as the need for more studies on the long-term safety profile of these products.
The study authors point out that, although the results are promising, there is still a significant lack of real-world clinical data, especially in pediatrics. Therefore, this series of cases represents an important step in building evidence that can guide public policies, future research, and medical decisions.
Another point raised by the researchers is the need to invest in identifying biomarkers that help predict which patients are more likely to achieve the long-awaited freedom from seizures with the use of medicinal cannabis.
Open paths: access, research, and hope
This study also reinforces an urgent agenda: expanding access to medicinal cannabis products. In Brazil, many families still face economic and bureaucratic barriers to access treatments, even when there is already a medical prescription and recommendation.