Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Cannabis sativa oil, specifically preparations rich in cannabidiol (CBD), has scientific support for use in certain forms of epilepsy. Several high-quality clinical trials have demonstrated that CBD, a non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, can significantly reduce seizure frequency in treatment-resistant epilepsy syndromes such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The pivotal studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2017, 2018) showed that pharmaceutical-grade CBD (Epidiolex®) reduced the median frequency of convulsive seizures compared to placebo, with an acceptable safety profile. These findings led to the U.S. FDA and other regulatory bodies approving CBD oil for these specific epilepsy syndromes. The mechanisms by which CBD exerts anticonvulsant effects are still being elucidated but may involve modulation of endocannabinoid system signaling, as well as effects on ion channels and neurotransmitter systems. It is important to note that not all cannabis oils are the same; products rich in THC (the psychoactive component) or non-standardized hemp oils do not have the same evidence base and may even worsen seizures. While CBD oil represents a significant advance for select patients with refractory epilepsy, its use should be supervised by a physician, as potential side effects and drug interactions exist. In summary, there is substantial scientific validation for the use of CBD-rich Cannabis sativa oil in specific, severe epileptic disorders.

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