Marijuana Extract Reduces Seizures in Kids with Rare Disorder
A highly anticipated clinical trial has shown that treating patients with epilepsy with a compound derived from marijuana can significantly reduce and, in some cases, eliminate seizures in children and young adults. In the study, children and young adults with a rare and debilitating form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome who took doses of marijuana extract experienced half as many seizures per month as those who received a placebo. And 5 percent of those treated with the marijuana extract, called cannabidiol, became seizure-free during the study period. [ 25 Odd Facts About Marijuana ] Currently, there aren't any medications that can completely control seizures in children with Dravet syndrome, according to the Epilepsy Foundation . The study, published today (May 24) in the New England Journal of Medicine , is among the first to provide solid, clinical evidence to support a form of treatment that is becoming fairly widespread with the advent of medical marijuana, but whi