title: Marijuana: a time-honored but untested treatment for epilepsy.
abstract: The biology of the endocannabinoid system in the brain provides a possible basis for a beneficial pharmacological effect of marijuana on seizures. However, evidence for efficacy of cannabis treatment of epilepsy is anecdotal because no acceptable randomized controlled trials have been done. Proper dosage and means of administration remain unknown. Cannabis is safer than other controlled substances, including tobacco or alcohol, and appears to be relatively safe compared with most pharmaceuticals used to treat epilepsy. This is a review of this topic from a Canadian perspective.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences,Western University,London,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McLachlan
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002170:Canada; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002188:Cannabis; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002186:Cannabinoids; D064086:Medical Marijuana
keywords: seizures