Medical Marijuana for Epilepsy?

Abstract

Treatment-refractory epilepsy remains an important clinical problem. There is considerable recent interest by the public and physicians in using medical marijuana or its derivatives to treat seizures. The endocannabinoid system has a role in neuronal balance and ictal control. There is clinical evidence of success in diminishing seizure frequencies with cannabis derivatives, but also documentation about exacerbating epilepsy or of no discernible effect. There are lay indications and anecdotal reports of success in attenuating the severity of epilepsy, but without solid investigational corroboration. Marijuana remains largely illegal, and may induce adverse consequences. Clinical applications are not approved, thus are restricted and only recommended in selected treatment unresponsive cases, with appropriate monitoring.

Keywords: Charlotte’s Web; Doose syndrome; Dravet syndrome; Lennox-Gestaut; Marijuana; cannabidiol; convulsions; endocannabinoid system; epilepsy; ictus; medical marijuana; seizures; treatment unresponsive epilepsy.