People have been using cannabis (also known as marijuana) to treat epilepsy for hundreds or even thousands of years. In the United States it only became legal to take marijuana products for medical reasons relatively recently. And, in 2018, a CBD oil for seizures called Epidiolex was approved by the FDA to treat certain epilepsy syndromes (CBD is a chemical found in cannabis plants). 

Around one third of people with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy, which means traditional medication does not control their seizures. People with drug-resistant epilepsy (also known as refractory epilepsy), may be interested in the possibility of using CBD treatments. 

If you would be interested in using CBD oil for seizures, speak with your doctor. It is possible to find many kinds of CBD oils in health food stores. However, it’s important to be aware that they are not designed to treat epilepsy, they don’t have to undergo the same level of scrutiny as epilepsy medication, and it is not always clear what their ingredients are.  

In this article, you will learn more about  CBD oil and seizures. 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol - known as CBD - is a chemical found in cannabis plants. It is reported to help with the treatment of a number of conditions, including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, some forms of epilepsy and schizophrenia. It is different to THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that makes people feel ‘high’. 

CBD can be extracted from medical marijuana plants and it is usually turned into an oil that people swallow. 

How does CBD oil stop seizures?

Researchers are still not exactly sure how CBD affects seizures, but it may help reduce seizure severity. 

Epidiolex - a CBD oil for seizures

In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved [2] the use of a new drug called Epidiolex for the treatment of three forms of epilepsy:

• Dravet Syndrome
• Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
• Tuberous sclerosis (TSC)

It is a prescription medicine and it is only prescribed for people aged one year and above. 

The medication was approved after several trials showed a significant reduction in seizures for people with these conditions (in combination with their existing anti-epilepsy drugs). 

If you or someone you know has Dravet Syndrome, TSC or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and you may be interested in using CBD oil for seizures, your epilepsy specialist can tell you more about this treatment. 

Buying CBD oil for seizures at health food stores

It is possible to purchase CBD oil from health food stores and other outlets in many US states (the rules about what can be sold vary between states). If you have epilepsy, it’s essential to speak with your doctor before trying CBD oil. 

Many companies promote the use of CBD oil for a range of conditions - from anxiety to insomnia to chronic pain - and it may be marketed as a solution to epilepsy too. However, many CBD oils are not regulated in the same way as pharmaceutical grade medicines, and it is not always clear what they contain. 

If you wish to purchase CBD oil for seizures, you should always speak with your doctor first. Research has shown that ‘artisanal’ CBD oil - which is legal but made by small companies - is much less effective than pharmaceutical grade CBD. So it is best to go with your doctor’s recommendation. 

Learn more: Why might a seizure medicine not work for you?

Side effects and interactions between CBD oil and seizure medicine

CBD oil may provide some relief from seizures for some people. But it should always be taken under guidance from a medical professional. This is partly because of:

• Side effects: CBD oil can cause diarrhea, nausea, breathing problems, confusion and many other side effects. 
• Interactions: CBD oil may interact with any anti-seizure medication. People taking valproic acid may see an increase in liver enzymes which could cause elevated liver enzymes and/or ammonia, while people taking Clobazam may experience sleepiness, among other effects. Always talk to your doctor about interactions. 

The potential of CBD oil for seizures

There appear to be potential benefits of using CBD oil for seizures in adults and children. However, scientists are still learning about how CBD affects people with epilepsy. If you would like to find out more about CBD oil and seizures, speak to your doctor about how it might work for you and whether it is safe for you to try it.