What Is CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid that naturally occurs in cannabis (hemp and marijuana) plants. Another type of cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which contains psychoactive properties and is responsible for causing ‘high.’ Unlike THC, CBD does not cause any euphoric sensation and may help treat many ailments in both humans and animals.
Some people use topical CBD products for pain management and inflammation because the research on pain management regarding CBD has been promising. CBD could be a useful alternative for those with a chronic condition and depend on different medications.
Epidiolex is the only CBD product that is FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved. This medicine is used for treating seizures and epilepsy.
What Is Epidiolex?
Epidiolex is a prescribed drug used for treating seizures caused by two types of epilepsy – Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. These are the rarest epileptic conditions, which appear in infancy or early childhood. Epidiolex is primarily made of the naturally occurring compound, Cannabidiol (CBD). This medicine comes in liquid form and is consumed by mouth. It can be used by adults and children ages two or older.
Effectiveness
Research suggests that Epidiolex is an effective pharmaceutical medicine, which reduces the number of seizures in consumers. The studies showed that:
- Individuals taking Epidiolex for Dravet syndrome noticed 26% lesser seizures than those not consuming the medicine.
- People with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome consuming the pharmaceutical drug noticed a 20%-25% reduction in seizures.
FDA Approval
Epidiolex was approved by the FDA in June 2018. It was the first CBD-based drug approved by the FDA to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Epilepsy and Seizures
The FDA approved Epidiolex treats seizures caused by two rare forms of epilepsy, including:
Dravet Syndrome – It causes seizures that typically occur in infancy
Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome – In this form of epilepsy, seizures usually begin in early childhood.
These epileptic forms are difficult to treat, and patients need more than one dosage to reduce the number of seizures they get.
Other Health Benefits of Using CBD
Several clinical studies are now looking at different ways CBD could potentially be used to help treat other health ailments. Some of them are:
Schizophrenia
Numerous small studies were conducted, and it was concluded that CBD may help reduce schizophrenia symptoms in some individuals. It is important to note that other studies haven’t shown any improvement after using CBD.
If you want to try CBD for treating schizophrenia, make sure to first discuss it with your doctor.
Autism
Although CBD isn’t approved for treating autism, a few studies show that CBD could potentially be useful to help manage this condition. According to a clinical study, CBD reduced the following symptoms in children with autism:
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Aggression
Since CBD hasn’t been proven effective or safe for autism, one must consult a doctor before consuming it for autism.
Migraine
The research was conducted to find the effects of CBD on treating migraines. Some clinical studies showed that CBD helped reduce migraine headaches in individuals consuming the cannabinoid. Note that CBD was used in combination with THC – tetrahydrocannabinol.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Just like other health conditions, CBD is not approved to treat multiple sclerosis. There is not enough evidence about using CBD alone for treating MS.
Many studies have shown that a combination of THC and CBD may help treat MS. According to a study, people consuming CBD and THC showed a reduction in the following symptoms:
- Urinary incontinence (loss of urinary control)
- Muscle spasticity (stiff or contracting muscles)
- Generalized pain
Epidiolex Side Effects
Following are the most common side effects caused by consuming Epidiolex:
- Malaise (generally not feeling well)
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia
- Skin rash
- Infections, like fungal or viral infections
Some severe side effects of Epidiolex include:
- Severe allergic reaction
- Liver problems
- Suicidal behavior or thoughts
- Sedation (loss of coordination, sleepiness, and trouble thinking clearly)
If you experience any of these side effects, you are suggested to immediately consult a doctor.
The legality of CBD and Epidiolex
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved one type of CBD in 2018. This CBD form is a treatment for individuals with two rare kinds of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). The medicine is called Epidiolex.
CBD products derived from marijuana are not yet legal at the federal level, but are legal under the laws of some states. On the other hand, hemp-derived CBD products containing 0.3% THC or less are legal federally but are still illegal in certain states.
Hence, people must check their state’s laws and those of anywhere they are planning to travel. Make sure to remember that the FDA does not regulate or approve nonprescription CBD products. It may result in inaccurate labeling.
Where to Buy CBD?
If you are looking for the original and high-quality CBD products, Nature Blend is the platform to trust. They provide 100% natural, CO2 extracted, and clinically tested CBD products to help you and your pets manage multiple health conditions.