Welcome to Higher Learning LV's Study Summary series. This series reviews and summarizes peer-reviewed research studies and was developed specifically for cannabis industry professionals. These study summaries provide easily digested quick reads for a variety of important issues regarding the commerce and chemistry of legal cannabis.
A 2022 study entitled "Long-term Use of Cannabidiol-enriched Medical Cannabis in a Prospective Cohort of Children with Drug-resistant Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy" that was published in the journal Seizure investigated the potential wellness benefits of the cannabis-derived cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) for children with epilepsy and seizures.
The Study
The study explored the "effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of CBD-enriched medical cannabis as add-on therapy in children with drug-resistant [epilepsy]."
The study revealed that the median age at which participants suffered their first seizure was only eight months.
"A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess [the] effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of CBD-enriched medical cannabis oil added to standard antiseizure medications in children with...[epilepsy]," reported the study.
The CBD molecule
The study involved participants aged 2-17 (with a mean age of 10.5) who were examined between October 2018 and March 2020. The study revealed that the median age at which participants suffered their first seizure was only eight months.
The Results
The research reported significant improvements in the state of the children during the examination period with respect to seizure activity resulting from epilepsy. "78 percent of the children had a ≥50 percent decrease in seizure frequency." It also found that nearly half of the participants experienced "a >75 percent decrease" in seizure activity.
Different molecular forms of CBD
"Seven patients (12 percent [of participants]) were seizure free," reported the study. It found that the number of seizures was reduced from a median of 305 per month to only 90 per month. However, this scientific investigation revealed that CBD treatment did not result in positive results for all participants. "CBD was discontinued in 17 patients (29 percent [of participants]) due to lack of response to treatment, increased seizure frequency, intolerance to the drug, or poor compliance."
The study's authors concluded long-term treatment with CBD-enriched medical cannabis as an adjuvant therapy to antiseizure therapy "was found to be safe, well tolerated, and effective."
The study's authors concluded that long-term treatment with CBD-enriched medical cannabis for antiseizure therapy "was found to be safe, well tolerated, and effective." "Sustained reductions in seizure frequency and improvement of aspects of daily living were observed," noted the report.
View the original study.
🎧 Like what you just read? Listen and learn with our highly educational weekly Cannabis Commerce + Chemistry Podcast. At under 30 minutes per episode, it helps industry professionals stay current on trending topics.