Parents reported 85% seizure reduction in children with epilepsy treated with CBD, but the survey has major limitations
In a parent survey of 117 children with epilepsy (including 53 with infantile spasms or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome), 85% reported seizure reduction and 14% reported seizure freedom with CBD products, though the study is highly vulnerable to bias.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers surveyed 117 parents who had given CBD-enriched cannabis preparations to their children for epilepsy. Among them, 53 had children with infantile spasms (IS) or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), two of the most treatment-resistant forms of childhood epilepsy.
85% of all parents reported a reduction in seizure frequency, and 14% reported complete seizure freedom. The median child had failed 8 previous antiseizure medication trials before starting CBD, with a median latency of 5 years from epilepsy onset to CBD initiation. Median CBD exposure was 6.8 months at 4.3 mg/kg/day.
Reported side effects were less common during CBD treatment than with prior medications, with the exception of increased appetite (30%). Additional benefits included improvements in sleep (53%), alertness (71%), and mood (63%).
The authors explicitly cautioned that the study is "extraordinarily vulnerable to participation bias" and does not represent compelling evidence of efficacy or safety.
Key Numbers
117 parents surveyed, 53 with IS/LGS. 85% reported seizure reduction. 14% reported seizure freedom. Median 8 failed medications before CBD. Median CBD dose: 4.3 mg/kg/day. Median duration: 6.8 months. Improved sleep (53%), alertness (71%), mood (63%).
How They Did This
Online survey of parents who administered CBD-enriched cannabis preparations to children with epilepsy. Recruited specifically parents of children with IS and LGS. Assessed perceived efficacy, dosage, tolerability, and additional effects. No blinding, no control group, no seizure verification.
Why This Research Matters
While these results must be interpreted very cautiously due to severe methodological limitations, the degree of treatment resistance (median 8 failed medications) and the perceived benefits reported by parents highlight the urgent need for controlled clinical trials of CBD for IS and LGS.
The Bigger Picture
This survey captured the parent experience during a period when CBD for epilepsy was generating enormous public interest but had almost no controlled data. The subsequent development of pharmaceutical CBD (Epidiolex) for these exact conditions validated parents' interest, though with more modest efficacy than this survey suggested.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
No blinding, no control group, no objective seizure measurement. Extraordinarily vulnerable to participation bias (parents who believed CBD helped were more likely to respond). Self-selected sample. Products varied in composition and quality. The authors themselves warned against over-interpreting.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these parent-reported results align with controlled trial data that followed?
- ?What proportion of the perceived benefit was placebo effect?
- ?How do parent survey results for CBD compare to similar surveys for other unproven treatments?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 85% reported seizure reduction, but study authors warned of severe bias
- Evidence Grade:
- Online parent survey with no blinding, no controls, and acknowledged extreme vulnerability to participation bias.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2015 before FDA approval of Epidiolex (pharmaceutical CBD) for similar conditions.
- Original Title:
- Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
- Published In:
- Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 47, 138-41 (2015)
- Authors:
- Hussain, Shaun A, Zhou, Raymond, Jacobson, Catherine(2), Weng, Julius, Cheng, Emily, Lay, Johnson, Hung, Phoebe, Lerner, Jason T, Sankar, Raman
- Database ID:
- RTHC-00986
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD help with childhood seizures?
In this parent survey, 85% reported seizure reduction. However, the study has severe methodological limitations. Subsequent controlled clinical trials led to FDA approval of pharmaceutical CBD (Epidiolex) for specific seizure types, though with more modest effects.
Should I give my child CBD for epilepsy?
This survey cannot answer that question reliably due to its limitations. Pharmaceutical CBD (Epidiolex) has been FDA-approved for certain epilepsy types based on controlled trials. Any use of CBD in children should be discussed with the child's neurologist.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-00986APA
Hussain, Shaun A; Zhou, Raymond; Jacobson, Catherine; Weng, Julius; Cheng, Emily; Lay, Johnson; Hung, Phoebe; Lerner, Jason T; Sankar, Raman. (2015). Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 47, 138-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.04.009
MLA
Hussain, Shaun A, et al. "Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.." Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.04.009
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts..." RTHC-00986. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/hussain-2015-perceived-efficacy-of-cannabidiolenriched
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.