In today’s health care climate, there is limited yet high quality evidence for the use of medical cannabis products in epilepsy care (Therapeutic Goods Administration).

At present, scientific research (Epilepsy Queensland) supports medical cannabis as complementary to other forms of epilepsy treatment, such as AEDs (anti-epileptic drugs) and diets (curated to control seizures), and is not recommended as a stand-alone method of care. However, as the medical industry continues to evolve, it may be worth investigating and growing your understanding of medical cannabis for epilepsy in Australia, in case you ever need to consider it as a treatment method.

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the nervous system. It is characterised by recurrent seizures, which are sudden episodes of involuntary movement or convulsions. Epilepsy can occur in people of any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. It is estimated that around 1% of Australians have epilepsy (Epilepsy Foundation).

There are many different types of epilepsy, and the condition can vary from person to person. Some people with epilepsy only have occasional seizures, while others may have frequent or even daily seizures. The severity of the condition also varies, with some people experiencing very mild symptoms while others may have more severe symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life.

Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after a person has had two or more seizures that were not caused by an identifiable and reversible medical condition. In order to diagnose epilepsy, doctors will typically carry out a number of tests including a physical examination, neurological examination, and brain imaging. A diagnosis of epilepsy can be difficult to make, as there are many different types of seizures and not all people with seizures will have epilepsy.

There is no cure for epilepsy, but it can be managed effectively with medication in most cases. Medication is usually taken on a long-term basis, and the dose may need to be adjusted over time. In some cases, surgery may be an option.

What are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?

There are many different symptoms that can present in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. This is because symptoms generally vary from person to person.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Sudden, brief changes in behavior or consciousness
• Loss of muscle control and coordination
• Convulsions or seizures
• Uncontrollable shaking of the body

Some individuals may also experience additional symptoms such as:

• Fainting
• Sensory disturbances
• Mood changes
• Paralysis
• Visual hallucinations
• Inability to speak
• Confusion

While the symptoms of epilepsy can vary, it is important to remember that not all individuals will experience all of the symptoms listed above. It is also important to note that the severity of symptoms can differ from person to person. For example, some individuals may only experience very mild symptoms while others may experience more severe symptoms.

What are the Common Causes of Epilepsy?

There is not always a clear cause of epilepsy. In some cases, epilepsy may be due to an underlying medical condition.

For example, epilepsy has been linked to conditions such as:

• Brain tumors
• Stroke
• Infectious diseases
• Autoimmune disorders
• Genetic disorders

In other cases, the cause of epilepsy is completely unknown. According to Epilepsy Action Australia, 50% of epilepsy cases have unknown causes. However, there are some risk factors that have been linked to the development of epilepsy.

Some of the most common risk factors include:

• Head injuries
• Brain damage from lack of oxygen
• Severe medical conditions that affect the brain, such as meningitis or encephalitis
• Exposure to certain toxins or chemicals
• Family history of epilepsy

Knowing the causes of epilepsy is important as it can help to determine the best course of treatment and management of the condition. Your general practitioner or neurologist will be able to diagnose cases of epilepsy, discuss any specific cases and provide more information.

What are Treatments for Epilepsy?

There are many treatment options available for those diagnosed with epilepsy. The most common and well-known treatment is medication. There are several different types of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) that can be prescribed, and the type that is best for a particular person depends on many factors, including the type of seizures they experience, their age, other medical conditions they may have, and possible side effects of the medication.

Another treatment option that is sometimes used for people with epilepsy is surgery. This is usually only an option if the seizures are coming from a specific area of the brain that can be safely removed, and if other treatments have not been successful in controlling the seizures.

There are also a number of alternative therapies that have been shown to be helpful for some people with epilepsy, such as acupuncture, massage, relaxation techniques, and use of medicinal cannabis. Research regarding the effectiveness of such alternative therapies is limited however, so it is important to speak with a healthcare professional before considering the application of such treatments.

Medicinal Cannabis and Epilepsy

Medicinal cannabis is a therapy that has shown promise in the medical space. It is being increasingly utilised to treat a number of different ailments, including epilepsy.

Medicinal cannabis is a therapy that utilises the whole, unprocessed cannabis plant or its extracts to treat a medical condition. It should not be confused with recreational cannabis, which is the use of marijuana for purposes other than medical treatment.

The active ingredients in cannabis are known as cannabinoids. There are more than 100 different cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, with the two most well-known being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the cannabinoid that produces the ‘high’ associated with recreational cannabis use, while CBD does not produce this effect and can be used with more medicinal intent.

CBD is one of the main compounds found in medicinal cannabis, and unlike THC, it does not produce psychoactive effects. This means that CBD can be used to treat a wide range of conditions without causing patients to feel ‘high’ or intoxicated. CBD has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation and pain, which makes it a promising treatment for conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. CBD is also being studied for its ability to treat anxiety, depression, and epilepsy.

In recent years, studies concerning the use of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy have emerged, with initial conclusions demonstrating promising results. In fact, according to medicinal cannabis studies from Epilepsy Action Australia, compounds found in medicinal cannabis may help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures experienced by some people with epilepsy (especially in children). CBD in particular may help patients better control their seizures.

While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in treating epilepsy, the available evidence suggests that it may be an alternative method of care for some conditions. In Australia, medicinal cannabis can only be accessed through a doctor’s application with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (or other relevant authority).

FAQs - Medicinal Cannabinoids for Epilepsy

Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning legal medicinal cannabis products and how they may care for epilepsy.

Can GPs prescribe medicinal cannabis in Australia?

In Australia, registered general practitioners and specialists may prescribe most medicinal cannabis products to patients.

However, before prescribing medicinal cannabis, doctors need to apply for approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and their Special Access Scheme (for a particular patient), Authorised Prescriber Scheme (for a particular group of patients), or Clinical Trial Scheme (for a particular group of patients). This is to ensure that the appropriate medicinal cannabis product is prescribed.

Can you get CBD legally in Australia?

In Australia, CBD is considered a Schedule 4 drug, which means it is available only with a doctor’s prescription. You cannot access medicinal cannabis products without a prescription. All legal CBD medicinal cannabis products are tested for quality, safety, and consistency, and can be prescribed by doctors to patients provided they meet eligibility requirements.

If you are considering using a medicinal cannabis product to treat epilepsy, it is important that you speak with your medical practitioner first. While there is some evidence to suggest that CBD may be effective in treating seizure disorders, more research is needed before it can be recommended as a treatment option.

What are the warning signs of epilepsy?

There are a number of warning signs that may indicate that someone is about to have a seizure (caused by epilepsy).

These can include:

• A change in mood or behavior
• Sudden onset of sleepiness
• Disorientation
• Loss of muscle control
• Convulsion

If you or someone you know experiences any of these warning signs, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Epilepsy is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not treated properly.

Can epilepsy go away?

In some cases, epilepsy can go away on its own. However, this is rare and usually only happens in children. If epilepsy does not go away on its own, it will likely require lifelong treatment. There are a number of effective treatments available that can help people with epilepsy lead normal, healthy lives, including medication, surgery, and alternative medicines such as medicinal cannabis.