In the medical world, non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) has received more attention for its anti-epileptic benefits than for anything else. Indeed, for rare epilepsies, CBD is often used when traditional medications have failed.
As of February 2022, Epidiolex from GW Pharmaceuticals is the only CBD-based drug approved for epilepsy. But regular, over-the-counter CBD oils may also help combat seizure frequency and severity and improve your quality of life.
Before we delve into CBD oil for seizures and how to use them, here are my top five CBD oils available today.
1. CBD Genesis – CBD Tincture Oil
Are you looking for a solid and dependable CBD tincture? CBD Genesis has your back. The classic combo of full-spectrum hemp extract and coconut-based MCT oil in this oil amplifies the entourage effect while boosting cannabinoid absorption.
The enhanced effects and increased bioavailability make this CBD Genesis tinctures more therapeutic than plain CBD oil. Factor in the natural hemp flavor and the absence of any artificial chemicals and solvents, and you’re on to a winner!
Enjoy the CBD Genesis Tincture under the tongue for rapid relief or mixed with a meal or drink for extended benefits. Available in three potencies to suit first-timers and experienced users. Hammer Enterprises supplies an excellent third-party report.
Strengths: 550mg (18.3mg/ml), 1000mg (33.3mg/ml), 2000mg (66.6mg/ml)
2. CBD For The People – Dark CBD Tincture
Take your CBD experience to new heights with a pricey but impressive Dark CBD Tincture from For The People. These guys leave no stone unturned, using only the highest quality, unrefined, and uncut hemp extracts in their potent CBD oils.
The full-spectrum extract goes further, thanks to the above-average levels of minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Add in the coconut-derived MCT oil, and you have a tincture that maximizes its therapeutic potential.
Choose from a selection of raw tinctures or naturally flavored CBD oils made with terpenes. The indica-dominant Orange Cookies tincture is particularly effective for relaxation. Pixis Labs provides an up-to-date third-party report.
Strengths: 600mg (10ml), 1200mg (15ml), 2500mg (30ml), 4800mg (30ml), 9600mg (60ml), 14400mg (60ml)
Strains: Raw Natural (No Flavor), Raw Lemon, Raw Orange, Raw Peppermint, Durban Sour (Sativa), White Fire OG (Hybrid), Orange Cookies (Indica), and more!
3. Active CBD Oil – 900mg Water Soluble Tincture
The next era of CBD is here with water-solubility and nanotechnology, as demonstrated by these flavored tinctures from Active CBD Oil. The 2oz tincture oils contain a hefty 900mg (15mg/ml) of THC-free CBD extract.
That might not sound much – however, nanotechnology can enhance CBD absorption by up to 10 times. The body struggles to absorb regular, large-sized CBD molecules, but it can easily handle nano-CBD particles.
The result is a more potent, more economical, and more efficient CBD experience. The Unflavored Active CBD Oil has an earthy, bitter taste – so you might prefer a flavored option. All tinctures have passed Botanacor’s third-party checks.
Flavors: Berry, Cinnamon, Unflavored, Vanilla
4. Charlotte’s Web – CBD Oil (60mg/ml)
Charlotte’s Web was the first CBD company to capture the country’s attention – and nearly a decade later, they are still going strong! Their maximum strength is 60mg/ml CBD oil for those needing extra relief.
What’s more, Charlotte’s Web uses full-spectrum, supercritical CO2-extracted hemp for the highest possible purity and potency. These tinctures are about more than CBD, with other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes coming into play.
Available in three delicious flavors and two sizes – 30ml and 100ml. This product contains US-grown hemp certified by the US Hemp Authority and has undergone extensive third-party testing.
Flavors: Lemon Twist, Mint Chocolate, Orange Blossom
5. CBDfx – CBD + Delta 9 THC Drops: Ultimate Chill Blend
For some seizures, a little THC alongside CBD makes a huge difference. Therefore, you may find more benefits from CBDfx’s Ultimate Chill Blend of CBD + Delta-9 Drops, which stretches Farm Bill compliance to the limit!
For those not up with the latest hemp-speak, delta-9 is another term for THC – specifically, legal THC! CBD products can legally contain up to 0.3% THC, and CBDfx exploits this by making a CBD oil with as much delta-9 as possible!
Be prepared for some psychoactive effects with this blueberry-flavored, organic CBD oil. The CBDfx tincture contains full-spectrum hemp and coconut-based MCT oil and comes in three potencies. CC Testing Labs supplies the third-party report.
Strengths: 1500mg, 3000mg, 6000mg
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive substance and cannabinoid. Found in cannabis plants and hemp in particular, CBD has garnered worldwide attention for its purported wide-ranging health benefits.
The CBD craze has boomed over the past decade and has only grown further since the US federal government fully legalized hemp in 2018. Despite the lack of clinical research on its medicinal potential, millions self-medicate with CBD every day.
Cannabinoids are unique substances – and CBD especially so. These compounds impact the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a biological system affecting several aspects of health.
CBD plays a subtle role in the ECS but one that appears increasingly critical. Rather than binding with cannabinoid receptors as psychoactive THC does, CBD helps the ECS regulate itself naturally.
Plants produce phytocannabinoids while our bodies generate endocannabinoids. CBD increases active levels of anandamide, an endocannabinoid, by blocking FAAH enzymes. Boosting endocannabinoids helps restore balance to a dysregulated ECS.
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil products consist of high concentrations of CBD. Companies sell tinctures as dietary supplements but have several therapeutic uses. Indeed, many people use CBD oil as a natural remedy for seizures.
Hemp-based CBD oil products must have no more than 0.3% THC. The tight THC limit stops brands from using hemp legalization to make products that are effectively marijuana.
Tinctures also contain carrier oil, which dilutes the CBD extract. Vegetable glycerin, hempseed oil, and MCT oil are good examples of carrier oils.
I prefer MCT oil as it increases CBD’s bioavailability, giving you better value for money. However, MCT oil isn’t necessary if the manufacturer uses water-soluble CBD extract with naturally high bioavailability.
Does CBD Oil Help with Seizures?
Yes, CBD oil is beneficial for epileptic seizures – and there is clinical evidence to prove it! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even approved Epidiolex in 2018, an oral CBD treatment used for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
I should note that the CBD oils featured here and any others you can buy online have not received FDA approval. The companies selling standard CBD tinctures aren’t making any medical claims about them, or at least they shouldn’t be.
How effective is CBD oil for seizures? I’m glad you asked. Let’s draw upon an extensive scientific review published in Frontiers in Neurology in 2020.
The study’s authors noted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of CBD’s effectiveness for Dravet syndrome. Researchers found that CBD treatment improved the overall condition of 62% of patients.
Further studies have shown that CBD may be most effective when combined with an existing anti-seizure medication, such as clobazam. This is despite the possible adverse reactions that may occur when combining the two drugs.
However, scientists are wary about CBD’s more general benefits. They mention that most CBD and epilepsy research has revolved around a handful of rare conditions. We still need evidence for CBD’s effectiveness against more common seizures.
How to use CBD oil safely
Sensible and cautious consumption of CBD oil is essential for a positive experience. I recommend going in with a plan and journaling how different dosages affect you – this will help you find your sweet spot dose.
If you haven’t taken CBD before, purchase a low-strength product (20mg/ml or below) and start from there. Increase your dose in incremental amounts until the side effects outweigh the benefits.
Side effects of CBD
As a non-psychotropic and non-intoxicating substance, CBD side effects are usually minor. Moreover, studies have shown that humans can safely tolerate vast quantities of CBD.
But sleepiness and fatigue could be an issue with high doses and a prescient concern if driving or operating heavy machinery. Other possible side effects include low blood pressure, light-headedness, diarrhea, and dry mouth.
Consult with a doctor if you intend on taking CBD alongside prescription medication. CBD interferes with the metabolization of many medicines, including antihistamines, beta-blockers, stimulants, and opioids.
Types of CBD Oil
The CBD hemp extract used in your tincture can impact its effectiveness and whether you may fail a drug test. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from CBD-isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum CBD oils.
CBD-isolate oil
Enjoy a pure and unfettered experience with CBD-isolate extract. Cheaper than other options, CBD-isolate tinctures only contain CBD and no other hemp cannabinoids, such as THC. Some brands add flavorful terpenes separately.
CBD-isolate tinctures eliminate any concerns you might have about failing a drug test. But check the third-party lab report to confirm that they are THC-free.
Full-spectrum CBD oil
Obtain hemp’s heralded entourage effect with a full-spectrum CBD oil. CBD is more therapeutic when taken as part of a whole plant rather than an isolate extract.
However, whole-plant extracts do have a small amount of THC and potentially up to 0.3%. Full-spectrum CBD oil isn’t suitable if you are subject to random drug tests.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil
Stay THC-free without missing out on hemp’s secondary cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids by using broad-spectrum CBD oil.
Removing the THC but preserving the rest of the hemp plant gives you the maximum health benefit possible while remaining safe with drug tests.
What to Look for When Purchasing CBD Oil for Seizures
Are you stumped about how to acquire high-quality CBD oil for seizures? Allow me to give you some pointers on finding genuine CBD products that meet your needs.
Third-party certificates of analysis (COAs)
Sadly, it’s guilty until proven innocent in the CBD industry. With no official regulation, legit CBD brands prove their worth by voluntarily submitting to quality control checks.
CBD oil with a third-party certificate of analysis (COA) is more trustworthy than CBD oil without one. Independent approval means you can have confidence that a tincture is pure, potent, and Farm Bill compliant.
Don’t fall for companies that conduct in-house testing without third-party oversight. And don’t trust claims about third-party testing that don’t come with a relevant COA available for you to read.
CBD Strength
You cannot always determine the strength of a CBD oil by the overall amount of CBD. The size of the tincture matters, as does the type of extract and whether it’s water-soluble.
For example, a 10ml tincture with 500mg CBD (50mg/ml) would be more potent than a 30ml product with 1000mg CBD (33.3mg/ml). Divide the mg count by the ml count to get an mg/ml figure that you can use to compare product strengths.
If choosing a water-soluble tincture, remember that the CBD may be up to 10 times stronger than usual, thanks to the higher absorption rate.
How Long Does CBD Oil Last?
I’ve heard stories of people’s CBD oil lasting for 18 months to two years! But that no doubt requires excellent storage. Once you’ve broken the seal, preserving the CBD becomes more difficult. I suggest finishing your CBD oil within six months of opening.
How to Store CBD Oil
Store CBD oil in a dark, dry, cool place, out of direct sunlight. Keep your tincture in a locked location if you have children. Tightly screw the cap back on after using your product.
Purchasing CBD Oil Online vs. Shops Near Me
CBD oil is everywhere nowadays, with all sorts of obscure and unusual brands hitting the shelves. I prefer to stick with tried-and-trusted hemp companies, hence why I only shop with well-known online vendors.
CBD is more affordable online, and more brands and product types are available relative to physical stores. Brick-and-mortar stores may only stock CBD oil from one or two brands in a limited range of potencies.
