For centuries, people have sought relief from epilepsy’s unpredictable grip, searching for remedies that could calm the storm within the brain.
Modern medicine has brought us closer to understanding, and in the 21st century, a surprising ally has emerged from nature itself: Cannabidiol or CBD.
According to extensive scientific research, including studies found on PubMed and NCBI, CBD’s anti-seizure properties have shown significant promise, particularly for those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS).
How does it work? It’s fascinating! CBD interacts with various receptors and pathways in the body, like G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR-55) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) channel, influencing anti-inflammatory effects that can help in reducing seizures.
But wait, before you start googling CBD products, we’ve got something special for you. Journey with us as we explore the 5 best CBD products specially tailored for epilepsy treatment.
Discover what makes each one unique, and find the one that might be the right fit for you or a loved one’s path to wellness.
Together, we’ll delve into a world where nature and science converge to offer hope.
Our Process for Selecting the Best CBD for Epilepsy
Choosing the perfect CBD product isn’t easy, given the sheer number of options available today. But don’t fret – we’re here to help. We’ve meticulously examined each product with a stringent set of criteria to ensure quality, safety, and transparency.
Unwavering Quality Standards
Each CBD product that made our list meets these essentials:
- It’s made with hemp cultivated right here in the U.S., adhering to high agricultural standards.
- It contains no more than 0.3% THC, as verified by its certificate of analysis (COA) – ensuring you don’t get any unwanted psychoactive effects.
- It’s cleared tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, in line with the COA, safeguarding you from harmful contaminants.
- It’s undergone third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab, assuring an unbiased quality check.
Delving Deeper into the Details
But we didn’t stop at these basics. We delved further to shortlist products with the following factors in mind:
- The potency of each product, because when it comes to CBD, the dosage makes a difference.
- The ingredient list: we favored products with ingredients specifically known for stress relief.
- The company’s certifications and manufacturing processes to ensure the product comes from trusted, responsible sources.
- The reputation of each brand, including customer reviews, giving us a glimpse into real-life user experiences.
- A keen eye for red flags, like unsupported health claims about their products or a history of FDA warning letters.
Through this thorough and methodical approach, we’re confident that the products we’ve selected are of the highest quality.
Why Only Five Products in Our Guide?
In the landscape of CBD, options abound. You might stumble upon guides featuring 15, 20, or even more products. But let’s face it, isn’t that a bit excessive?
We understand that the wide array of choices can be overwhelming. And after analyzing dozens of merchants and hundreds of products on the market, we’ve found that high-quality CBD products are, in essence, pretty similar. Their differences often boil down to nuances in taste, nothing more.
So, we took a different approach. We wanted to curate a concise list that won’t drown you in a sea of seemingly endless choices.
So we’ve handpicked only five products. But make no mistake, these are not just any five products. They’re the cream of the crop, the top dogs, the… well, you get the point.
Every product on this list is of the highest quality and offers the best price-per-milligram ratio.
So you can be confident that you’re not just getting the best CBD – you’re also getting the best value for your money. Because we believe that when it comes to your health and wellness journey, less can truly be more.
Best 5 CBD Products Effective for Epilepsy
The full spectrum CBD softgels from COBO CBD may help manage epilepsy by reducing seizure activity. Studies show full spectrum CBD, with its array of compounds, is more effective for seizures than CBD isolate. The combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and CBD work together to calm overactive nerve signaling in the brain. Taken daily, these softgels may reduce the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures.
This full spectrum CBD oil tincture from cbdMD offers robust epilepsy relief thanks to the entourage effect from multiple cannabinoids. Taken sublingually, the oil is rapidly absorbed to stop seizures quickly when they occur. The combination of CBD, THC, and other compounds work better together than CBD alone. While not intoxicating, the trace THC boosts CBD’s anticonvulsant properties.
These THC-free CBD gummies from cbdMD offer a tasty, portable way to manage epilepsy. Broad spectrum CBD retains helpful terpenes but removes THC, making gummies a safe option. The gummies provide sustained relief over 4-6 hours to prevent seizures and calm the nervous system between doses. Their set doses simplify usage. Enjoy gummies daily or as needed when epileptic episodes occur.
CBD Focus Capsules may enhance concentration and cognitive function often impaired by epilepsy. Studies show CBD protects neurons and improves neuroplasticity. The broad spectrum CBD in these capsules may also reduce seizure activity. Taken daily, they can support focus and brain health in those with epilepsy so they can live more normally.
This CBD and THC oil blend from CBDfx leverages the entourage effect to maximize benefits for epilepsy. Studies show combining THC and CBD can reduce seizure frequency and intensity better than CBD alone. While not enough to be psychoactive, the THC enhances CBD’s anticonvulsant properties. The full spectrum oil can be taken at onset of a seizure for fast relief.
What the Research Says About CBD and Epilepsy
Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol in Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
The article was published in 2018 and focuses on the efficacy and safety of Cannabidiol (CBD) in treating epilepsy. The study systematically reviews and analyzes randomized, placebo-controlled trials of oral CBD in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. The main objective was to estimate the efficacy and safety of CBD as an adjunctive treatment, using meta-analytical techniques.
The research found that CBD has anti-seizure properties and lacks psychoactive effects. The study included trials involving 550 patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome (DS). The results showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency in favor of CBD. The reduction in all-types seizure frequency by at least 50% occurred in 37.2% of the patients in the CBD 20 mg group. However, adverse events (AEs) were associated with CBD, including somnolence, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and increased serum aminotransferases.
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that adjunctive CBD in patients with LGS or DS experiencing seizures uncontrolled by other treatments is associated with a greater reduction in seizure frequency. This research supports the use of CBD as a promising therapeutic option for epilepsy, providing valuable insights for medical practitioners in the field.
Use of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy
The article, published in 2022, focuses on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of epilepsy. It delves into the history of cannabis sativa, highlighting its cultivation for human use for about 5,000 years and its application in treating epilepsy for thousands of years. The article emphasizes CBD’s anti-seizure effect, which has been proven in animal models and confirmed in recent randomized, placebo-controlled trials for drug-resistant epilepsy.
CBD’s effectiveness in reducing seizures is attributed to its interaction with various receptors and pathways, including G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR-55), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) channel, anti-inflammatory effects, and influence on the adenosine pathway. The article also presents the outcomes of completed clinical trials with Epidiolex®, the only cannabis-derived drug approved for epilepsy by the United States Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency.
The research outcomes demonstrate that CBD may be an effective drug in drug-resistant epilepsy, particularly in Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex. The article emphasizes the need for additional randomized, placebo-controlled studies with CBD, suggesting a promising future for CBD in the treatment of epilepsy.
Cannabidiol and epilepsy in Brazil
The article, published in 2022, provides a comprehensive review of the use of Cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of epilepsy, focusing on the Brazilian context. The document highlights the promising therapeutic potential of CBD in epilepsy treatment, summarizing the evidence from recent studies that demonstrate its effectiveness and safety. It also discusses the limitations in current knowledge and regulatory issues that still restrict CBD use.
The research outcomes presented in the article underline the efficacy of CBD in treating specific epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Five pivotal trials have led to CBD’s approval as an adjunctive treatment for these conditions. The article emphasizes that the efficacy of CBD in other drug-resistant epilepsies is not completely understood, but it is well-tolerated, and its adverse event profile and drug interactions are better understood.
Cannabidiol pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders
The article, published in June 2014, explores the potential therapeutic role of cannabidiol (CBD) in epilepsy. It summarizes the current scientific evidence, including CBD’s physiological effects and mechanisms of action.
The research highlights that CBD has been found to be anticonvulsant in many animal models, but human studies are inconclusive. The article calls for well-controlled studies on the efficacy of pure CBD for epilepsy.
The outcomes emphasize that CBD bears investigation in epilepsy. The antiepileptic mechanisms are not fully understood, but various potential effects are explored. The article concludes that CBD appears well-tolerated in humans, and studies focusing on epilepsy populations are being planned. The findings support the use of CBD for treating epilepsy, but more rigorous studies are needed.
Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Epilepsy
The article, published in 2021, explores the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in treating specific types of epilepsy. It highlights the success of CBD in reducing seizures in conditions like Dravet syndrome and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome.
The outcomes of the research show that pharmaceutical-grade CBD has been approved by regulatory agencies for treating certain epileptic conditions. However, the article also points out challenges in the CBD market, such as varying purity and concentrations.
The findings emphasize the effectiveness of CBD in treating specific epilepsy types but also underline the need for medical guidance. The article concludes that CBD offers potential benefits in epilepsy treatment, but its application requires careful consideration and professional oversight.
Epilepsy and cannabidiol: a guide to treatment
The article, published in “Epileptic Disord” in 2020, explores the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for treating epilepsy. It emphasizes the therapeutic value of pure CBD, especially for specific epilepsy syndromes.
The research explains that CBD’s effects depend on its purity and concentration. The article stresses the need for standardization in preparation, composition, and usage of CBD products.
In conclusion, the article supports the anti-convulsant properties of CBD as a potential treatment for epilepsy. It highlights the importance of quality control and proper preparation to ensure the effectiveness and safety of CBD in treating this condition.
How to Shop for CBD for Epilepsy
For quickly treating seizures or episodes, fast-acting CBD oils and gummies are recommended.
CBD Oil
Taken under the tongue, CBD oil offers the fastest absorption into the bloodstream to stop seizures quickly. The effects start within minutes and last 2-3 hours. Oils also allow easy dosing control.
CBD Gummies
While gummies take 30-45 minutes to start working, they provide longer lasting effects over 4-6 hours. This helps maintain steady CBD levels. Gummies also offer precise dosing and portability. Look for fast-acting gummies to get faster seizure relief.
CBD Capsules
Capsules release CBD more slowly over 60 minutes. However, they offer consistent daily dosing in an easy format. Capsules help maintain stable CBD levels in the body for managing epilepsy.
Finding the Right Type of CBD
For epilepsy, full or broad spectrum CBD maximizes benefits:
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD provides the full range of compounds in cannabis, including trace THC. This allows for the entourage effect, enhancing CBD’s therapeutic impact. However, full-spectrum CBD does pose a risk for failed drug tests.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD also offers entourage benefits but contains no THC. For those wanting to avoid even trace THC, broad-spectrum CBD delivers robust effects without any high or legal issues.
Choosing a Highly Potent CBD Concentration
High potency CBD oils and gummies in the range of 600-1000mg are recommended to treat epilepsy and reduce seizure activity.
- Low potency (300mg) – Best for very mild symptoms
- Medium potency (600mg) – Better for moderate epilepsy cases
- High potency (1000mg) – Most effective for severe, frequent seizures
A higher CBD dose maximizes anticonvulsant benefits. Start low and go slow when increasing dosage to find the ideal amount. Discuss appropriate potency with your doctor.
FAQ
How can CBD oil be used to treat epilepsy?
CBD oil has shown promise in reducing seizure frequency and intensity. It is taken by mouth twice per day, with doses ranging from 10-25mg per kg of body weight. CBD is also available in capsules, gummies, and vapes. Work closely with a neurologist to find the right product and dosage.
What evidence supports using CBD for epilepsy?
Multiple studies indicate CBD reduces convulsive seizure activity. In clinical trials, CBD decreased seizure frequency by half in over 40% of patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. CBD has also shown positive impacts on other forms of refractory epilepsy. More research is still needed, but current evidence is promising.
What are the benefits of CBD over epilepsy medications?
Many epilepsy drugs cause significant side effects. CBD provides similar anti-seizure benefits but with far fewer risks of side effects. It may allow reducing prescriptions of medications that can impair cognition and behavior. However, CBD should not replace doctor-prescribed medications unless under medical supervision.
Can CBD completely cure epilepsy?
No, CBD should not be considered a standalone “cure” for epilepsy at this time. However, strong clinical evidence supports CBD as an effective supplemental treatment to reduce seizure activity and improve overall quality of life for those living with epilepsy.
Are there risks or side effects of using CBD oil for seizures?
CBD is very safe and well tolerated by most people. Minor side effects can include dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, changes in appetite, fatigue, and irritability. CBD may interact with some medications. Consult a doctor before using CBD, especially if taking other seizure drugs.
What’s the best way to take CBD oil for quick seizure control?
For fast relief when a seizure occurs, vaping CBD provides the fastest effects. CBD oil tinctures taken sublingually act quickly as well, usually within 15 minutes. CBD gummies and capsules can take over an hour to start working, so aren’t ideal for acute seizures.
Can pets use CBD safely for seizures too?
Yes, CBD oil is safe for pets and may reduce the frequency and intensity of seizures. The optimal dose for your pet depends on weight. Talk to your veterinarian first, then start with low doses like 2-3mg per kg of body weight twice daily. Increase gradually every 5-7 days if needed.
Is full spectrum CBD better than isolates for epilepsy?
Full spectrum CBD or broad spectrum CBD is recommended over isolates. Full spectrum products contain small amounts of THC and other cannabinoids that enhance CBD’s effects due to the entourage effect. Broad spectrum retains these added compounds except for THC.
How much CBD oil should be taken by someone with epilepsy?
There is no universal dosage—it depends on your body chemistry, type of epilepsy, and symptoms. Most take 20-40mg per kg of body weight daily split into multiple doses. Start very low, around 5-10mg per day, and increase by 5-10mg every 3-4 weeks until finding the most effective dose.
Can CBD completely replace anti-seizure medications?
No, replacing prescribed medications with CBD is not recommended, especially not abruptly. Work closely with your neurologist on slowly transitioning to CBD under medical supervision. However, CBD may allow reducing some medication dosages over time for a gentler treatment approach. More human research is still needed.