NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) -- New research suggests some people may benefit from using a marijuana compound to treat their epilepsy.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown promising results in preliminary trials including children and adults, with over half experiencing fewer seizures. CBD, as opposed to THC, does not produce the psychoactive effects associated with smoking marijuana.
Of 137 participants who completed the whole study, 54 percent saw an improvement in their symptoms.
The study is being done at the NYU Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center by Dr. Orrin Devinsky. Now that preliminary results are in, Devinsky is beginning a randomized, placebo-controlled trials to confirm his results.
Roughly 5.1 million people in the United States have epilepsy, and roughly one-third cannot be treated with any prescription medications.
He will present the results at the American Academy of Neurology Conference later this month.
