"FDA Approves CBD-Based Drug To Treat Seizures" - Macaela Mackenzie
Derived from CBD oil, a drug called Epidiolex was just approved to treat seizures in children and adults with two rare but severe forms of epilepsy, both of which typically develop in childhood. Considering the fact that marijuana is still illegal in many states across the U.S., the FDA approval is significant; it marks the first marijuana-based drug to be approved in the country. But even though the medicinal oil has long been used as an at-home alternative therapy for seizures, neurologists admit that they still aren't quite sure how CBD oil works. "There are several different mechanisms we're exploring right now," said Steven Wolf, MD, associate professor of neurology and pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, director of pediatric epilepsy unit and director of pediatric neurology at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Mount Sinai West. Every anti-epileptic drug's job is to stabilize the nerves from over-firing," said Dr. Wolf. "Each drug that the FDA has approved for seizures works on some aspect of preventing that neuron from firing away like crazy." Based on what neurologists know about epilepsy, for this new drug Epidiolex to accomplish that, CBD likely triggers a reaction in the brain that either blocks certain neurotransmissions or stabilizes neurons, he said.
- Steven Wolf, MD, Associate Professor, Neurology, Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Pediatric Epilepsy, Co-Director, Epilepsy Unit, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Director, Pediatric Neurology, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s-Mount Sinai West, Co-Director, Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic