CBD is one of the cannabinoids found incannabis, whose popularity, due to its properties, is steadily increasing.

What properties does CBD have?

CBD being a dietary supplement has properties:

• neuroleptic,
• antispasmodic,
• anticonvulsant,
• neuroprotective.

When used in oil form, it allows you to relax your muscles and feel relaxed. It also relieves stress and allows the nervous system to calm down.

It has also found use in the treatment of two incurable forms of early-onset epilepsy - Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome- thanks to clinical studies showing that the substance can reduce the frequency of seizures.

Dravet syndrome

Dravet syndrome is a genetically determined brain dysfunction (encephalopathy); it takes the form of severe epilepsy that responds poorly to treatment.

The first epileptic seizures in this condition occur in the first year of a child's life, and between the second and fifth years, problems develop concerning the child's harmonious and normal development. Many patients die before the age of 11.

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe epileptic syndrome characterised by mental retardation, poorly responsive epileptic seizures and electroencephalographic changes. The first seizures generally appear before the child is four years old.

CBD and epilepsy, photo: panthermedia

Is CBD effective?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has noted the efficacy of CBD in treating epilepsy in people with both syndromes, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 approved an oral solution with CBD for the treatment of seizures associated with these conditions. The solution has also been approved for marketing in other countries, including the UK.

CBD is effective in reducing epileptic seizures (85% of patients indicate improvement in at least one area), but it also has additional effects.

How does CBD work?

Studies indicate that CBD can reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures. It may affect the way the patient communicates, as well as nerve cell interactions. In addition, the substance may help with other problems that occur alongside epileptic seizures, such as sleep problems, mood swings or cognitive difficulties.

Epilepsy treatment, photo: panhtermedia

Addressing several problems with CBD can therefore improve the patient's overall wellbeing.

It should be noted that further research into the effects of CBD substances on patients is needed, as conclusions were only drawn from a report of questionnaires completed by carers of people suffering from the syndromes mentioned; measurements of brain activity and objective medical data were therefore not taken into account.

It is also still unknown how CBD interacts with other drugs and what its long-term effects are.

Does CBD cause side effects?

The following side effects have been observed in patients when using high doses of CBD during epilepsy treatment:

• drowsiness,
• diarrhoea,
• appetite disturbances,
• weight loss.