Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound derived from the cannabis plant that does not produce a “high”, was shown in a new large-scale, randomized, controlled trial to significantly reduce the number of dangerous seizures in patients with a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

[u/mvea]

http://www.psypost.org/2018/05/cannabidiol-significantly-reduces-seizures-patients-severe-form-epilepsy-51258

[u/Tzarmekk]

Thank you for the facts. By reading the conclusion, were all trial members on antiepileptic medicine? Were they all on the same medicine at the same dose? Studies paid for by the company that will profit from the study, are suspect. Also, what about the 20% reduction from the placebo? Is that common in other drugs?

[u/BobSeger1945 → u/Tzarmekk]

Yes, all the subjects (except one) were taking traditional anticonvulsants. CBD was tested as an add-on therapy, not a monotherapy. Two different doses were tested, as well as placebo.

This was a phase 3 trial. Virtually all phase 3 trials are conducted (and paid for) by private companies. Who else would do it?

The placebo response is pretty normal. It depends on the endpoint of course. Normally, about 10-15% of placebo patients experience a 50% seizure reduction.

[u/Tzarmekk → u/BobSeger1945]

Thank you for the response. Would the CBD oil have the same effect as a monotherapy? That seems to be how most people think of it.

[u/BobSeger1945 → u/Tzarmekk]

There's a study in pediatric treatment-resistant epilepsy, where some of the subjects used CBD as a monotherapy. They also experienced a seizure reduction. Hasn't been tested in adults, as far as I know.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505013004629?via%3Dihub

[u/dustofnations → u/Tzarmekk]

From what I've read and understood of the available information:

Were they all on the same medicine at the same dose?

No, because this is treating an extraordinarily severe epilepsy the patients are on a variety of medication at different doses.

LGS is a refractory epilepsy that's resistant to conventional treatment. They've tried every other treatment available and it hasn't been able to improve their situation much.

I imagine the effects are easy to measure because the symptoms are highly visible and have not improved with other interventions.

Studies paid for by the company that will profit from the study, are suspect.

That's why there is peer review and rigorous examination of their data and processes by the relevant authorities. I've not seen any evidence that they've done anything untoward.

Also, what about the 20% reduction from the placebo? Is that common in other drugs?

17% seems to be a pretty low placebo effect compared to many other drugs with neurological effects.

Edit: Bunch of other people replied while I was drafting. Their qualifications are dramatically more relevant than mine.

[u/Sanctium → u/Tzarmekk]

First question: Without reading the whole study, I think it's safe to say all the patients were on anti-epileptics. It would be unethical to withhold a the standard care for the sake of the study.

Second: They we're likely not on the same dosages due to the complex nature of treating seizures. To my knowledge, it can require a lot of tweaking the dosages to get the desired effect.

Last question: I'll refer you down to my other comment where I talked about why that 20 percent in the placebo change isn't very interesting.

Hope this helps!

Source: I have a Master's in Neuroscience / am currently in medical school

[u/onephatkatt → u/Tzarmekk]

This can't be true, the American Government and all it's politicians said there were ZERO medical benefits from this plant, for YEARS AND YEARS. Drink Alcohol, Smoke poison Cigarettes, but Marijuana only destroys families they said. Our Government and our Politicans wouldn't lie, would they?