BREAKING: Study Finds CBD Oil Effectively Reduces Seizures in Epilepsy Patients

GW Pharmaceuticals, a London-based medical cannabis research and technology firm, released new data about its latest clinical trial for Epidiolex, the companys flagship, pharmaceutical-grade CBD oil product.

During the study, researchers focused on a devastating form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. The results showed that Epidiolex is effective in reducing the occurrence of seizures in patients who participated in the trial.

"Its fabulous," said Justin Gover, chief executive of UK-listed GW Pharmaceuticals. "March was a breakthrough moment, but these results take us to a different place and to have a second study to be so robustly positive and consistent with the first, shows that it was no fluke.

Clinical Trial Results

The phase three study included both children and adults suffering from the disease. Prior to the trial, all of the participants were having an average of 74 hard-hitting seizures every month. Scientists created two groups from the sample pool: 86 patients were given CBD treatment in addition to their daily medications, while 85 participants were given a placebo. Individuals who were taking Epidiolex reported a 44 percent decrease in seizures (the placebo group reported a 22 percent decrease).

The late-stage clinical trial also uncovered several side effects that were previously unaccounted for in the initial study. A total of 74 patients who were taking Epidiolex experienced mild side effects, which includes any or a combination of the following symptoms: sleepiness, diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Strangely, 59 participants in the placebo group also experienced similar side effects. Only 12 individuals from the group receiving CBD oil dropped out from the study, because of the secondary symptoms (one person taking the placebo form of the drug exited the trial prematurely).

Regulatory Hurdles

GW Pharma may encounter issues during the application filing process for the release of Epidiolex. Its previous offering, Sativex, the worlds first prescription cannabis medicine that helps reduce symptoms associated with spasticity from multiple sclerosis, underwent a rigorous country-by-country approval process in the EU. The firm is prepared to go through similar procedures, as it gears up to take on the US ...