Medical cannabis has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of seizures and recent interest has focused on its effectiveness in the treatment of treatmentresistant epilepsy. Epilepsy treatment with medicinal cannabis or cannabinoids is only recommended as an adjunctive treatment that is, in addition to existing anti epileptic drugs. Following his trip to india in 1841, o 0 shaughnessy introduced. At this time, anecdotes have outstripped controlled clinical trials as sources of support for their clinical value. Cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy request pdf. Pdf the interest in cannabisbased products for the treatment of refractory epilepsy has skyrocketed in recent years. In particular, the cannabinoid cannabidiol has been reported to have anticonvulsant and antiinflammatory properties, and it shows promise for epilepsy treatment. Anu venkat provides information about the use of cannabinoids in treating refractory epilepsy. Cannabinoids in medically refractory epilepsy epilepsy. As part of a joint content partnership with the american epilepsy society, dr.
Current research has shown encouraging results for its use in the treatment of epilepsy. The pharmacologic and biochemical features of cannabinoids make them candidates for antiseizure medications. Furthermore, cannabinoids and their endogenous counterparts have been associated with epilepsy treatment, with several studies using various cannabinoidbased. Gowers describes use of cannabis for epilepsy hazeltine corporation, warren pa 1869 discovery of cannabinoid receptor and endo cannabinoid signaling system human trials of mmj and cbd for epilepsy page 32 page 33 risk factors for epilepsy hesdorffer dc, verity cm. None of the patients in the treatment groups suffered adverse effects.
Cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy new england journal. Gowers reported, cannabis indica marijuana, which was first recommended in epilepsy by dr. Pharmacology of cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy. The interest in cannabisbased products for the treatment of refractory epilepsy has skyrocketed in recent years. The current status of artisanal cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy. Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at nejm.