Managing Epilepsy with Medical Cannabis
Epilepsy is a relatively common neurological condition which is largely characterised by frequent seizures, caused by electrical activity in the brain. These bursts of electrical activity can change the way the brain works and lead to a number of symptoms.
What are the symptoms?
Seizures can affect people indifferent ways, depending on which part of the brain is involved. They can occur in sleep or when you are awake and may sometimes be triggered by something – for instance, being very tired.
Seizures can often involve:
- Uncontrollable jerking and shaking (often called a "fit")
- Loss of awareness and staring blankly into space
- Becoming stiff
- Strange sensations, such as a "rising" feeling in the tummy, unusual smells or tastes, and a tingling feeling in your arms or legs
- Collapsing and/or loss of consciousness
- Amnesia
There is a wide range of seizure types which are each largely characterised by a specific set of symptoms. These include:
- Simple partial (focal) seizures or 'auras'
- Complex partial (focal) seizures
- Tonic-clonic seizures
- Absences
- Myoclonic seizures
- Clonic seizures
- Tonic seizures
- Atonic seizures
- Status epilepticus
Find out more about seizure types, here.
Cause and treatment
In most cases of Epilepsy, the exact cause is not completely understood. However, it is possible that the development of the condition maybe linked to genes, as around 1 in 3 people with epilepsy also have a family member with it.
Epilepsy may also be caused by brain damage, such as damage sustained through a stroke, a brain tumour or infection, severe head injury, drug or alcohol abuse, or a lack of oxygen during birth.
There are a number of treatment options that may reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, or in some cases, even stop seizures completely.
These include:
- Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) - help in around 7/10 Epilepsy patients
- Surgery to remove a small part of the brain that is causing the seizures
- Placement of a small electrical device inside the body that can control seizures
- A special diet (the ketogenic diet) that may help to control seizures
Medical Cannabis and Epilepsy
While these treatment options are often helpful, there are cases where even multiple treatment options may fail. Intractable or treatment-resistant Epilepsies, such as Dravet syndrome, Doose syndrome, and syndrome may not be responsive to traditional treatment. There is substantial evidence that medical cannabis products may be useful in reducing the severity and frequency of seizures in patients with these forms of treatment-resistant Epilepsy.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
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Conditions Specialists
Dr Anup Mathew
Lead Psychiatry Specialist
Dr Anup Mathew
Consultant Psychiatrist | Clinical Lecturer
M.D., MA, MSc, BSc (Hons), MRCPsych, FHEADCP, MDCH, DCBH, PGCDM, PGCCE, MAcadMEd
Dr Mathew is a Community Psychiatrist in the NHS responsible for providing medical psychiatric support to a multi-disciplinary Primary Care Mental Health Service across East and North Kent.
Dr Mathew has extensive knowledge of mental health legislation having completed an MA in Medical Ethics and Law. He was appointed by the Ministry of Justice as a Medical Member of the First-tier Tribunal in the Social Entitlement Chamber. Dr Mathew also has a special interest in PTSD and Military Psychiatry having completed an MSc in War and Psychiatry and trained with the Royal Marines Reserve.
Dr Mathew was awarded Membership of the Academy of Medical Educators and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy following his involvement in medical education which included being a University Lecturer.
As a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Addictions Faculty, Dr Mathew has qualifications and expertise in the management of alcohol and drug misuse, particularly with co-morbid mental health problems. Due to his expertise, Dr Mathew is a Medical Examiner and Health Examiner for the General Medical Council.
Dr Mathew holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy and he is also a qualified Medical Hypnotherapist. He incorporates a holistic approach in treatment that considers how biological, psychological and social factors impact on a person’s life and recovery journey. His work ethic has always been focused on trying to improve the outcomes of people with mental illness.
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Lead Pain Specialist
Dr Gerard Sinovich
Acute and Chronic Pain Management Consultant
MBBS, FRCA, FFPMRCA
Specialisms: Musculoskeletal pain; neuropathic pain; fibromyalgia; headaches; migraines; chronic neck, upper & lower back, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle pain; myofascial pain; inflammatory and connective tissue disorders; abdominal pain; pelvic pain; post-surgical pain and cancer pain.
Dr Sinovich qualified in anaesthesia and is professionally trained to treat different pain problems, particularly musculoskeletal pain and neuropathic pain. He is well renowned in his field following completion of specialised training in Pain Management at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, a world leading hospital in pain research and management.
Dr Sinovich is a pioneer in medical cannabis prescribing to chronic pain patients in the UK. He has extensive experience in prescribing medicinal cannabis over the last 3 years with training undertaken in Canada. He has featured in cannabis health news, BBC news, and in the daily mirror on topics related to medicinal cannabis. He has presented various web-based seminars on medicinal cannabis to both patients and aspiring doctors wanting to enter the field of medicinal cannabis. He is involved in research trials to better understand the use of medicinal cannabis and making it more accessible to individuals with chronic pain.
Here are some interesting facts about Dr Sinovich:
- Granted Foundation Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FFPMRCA)
- Medical director of “Panacea Pain Relief Clinic” with consulting rooms at the Spire Clare Park Hospital, Frimley Park Hospital and Spire St Anthony Hospital
- Presented at numerous national anaesthesia and pain medicine conferences
- Member of the British Pain Society and of the European Society for Regional Anaesthesia & Pain Medicine
- Faculty member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCA), the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) and the Association of Anaesthetists (AAGBI)
- Local Pain Medicine Educational Supervisor responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students in acute and chronic pain
Medical cannabis, legally prescribed
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FAQ’s
Answers to your most important medical cannabis questions.
Can medical cannabis help manage epilepsy symptoms?
Medical cannabis has shown promise in helping to reduce seizure frequency and severity in some patients with epilepsy-particularly those who haven’t responded well to conventional anti-seizure medications. At Cantourage Clinic, we take a personalised approach to explore if cannabis-based treatment could benefit your unique case.
Is cannabis-based treatment for epilepsy legal in the UK?
Yes. Medical cannabis is legal in the UK when prescribed by a specialist doctor. Cantourage Clinic provides legal access to cannabis-based prescriptions for patients with epilepsy where standard treatments have not been effective. All prescriptions are tailored to your needs and follow strict regulatory guidelines.
What kind of medical cannabis products are used for epilepsy treatment?
Treatments may include oils, capsules, or vaporised formulations, depending on your medical profile. Cannabidiol (CBD)-dominant products are often considered first due to their potential anti-seizure effects. Our clinic will recommend the most suitable format and dosage after your consultation and clinical assessment.
How do I know if I'm eligible for medical cannabis to treat epilepsy?
If you have epilepsy and haven’t found relief with standard treatments, you may be eligible. Start by booking a consultation with one of our specialist doctors at Cantourage Clinic. We’ll review your medical history and help you understand whether cannabis-based therapy could be appropriate for your condition.