Cannabidiol For Treating Epilepsy To Be Discussed In Next Ohama Science Cafe

For a while now, there have been discussions on the possible use of cannabidiol for treating epilepsy. Now, the next Ohama Science Cafe is set to focus on the marijuana extract and its potential clinical use.

According to Washington Times, Dr. Deepak Madhavan will discuss the substance in the Science Cafe on Tuesday. Madhavan is among the experts who investigated the use of cannabidiol in patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy.

Known to many, marijuana has been a subject of discussion among different people particularly experts due to its possible ability to treat seizures. Early this year, Science Daily reported about studies focusing on CBD oil therapy. Three abstracts were presented at the yearly meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Vancouver, Canada.

In the abstracts, results from 51 subjects of the studies were described. In other findings, the researchers said around 50 percent of the subjects responded to the CBD oil therapy. Over a six-month period, they observed sustained improvement in seizure control. Depending on the dose, seizures declined from 32 to 45 percent. Moreover, two patients became seizure-free, while nine dropped out because of side effects.

It was April 2015 when UAB launched CBD oil studies for the treatment of severe seizures. The Alabama Legislature authorized the studies in 2014 through the Carly's Law. The studies aimed to determine the safety of CBD oil to intractable seizure sufferers. As an oily liquid, it is taken orally.

During the time of publication, the studies were still ongoing, but the evidence of seizure reduction provides hope that further research may lead to more information regarding CBD oil providing relief for severe epilepsy.

Cannabidiol is a Cannabis sativa plant extract. It is different from the one providing the high from marijuana smoking. In the upcoming Science Cafe, much is expected from the potential clinical uses of this plant extract.