Australian Epilepsy Survey: More Failed Medications Predicted Cannabis Use, and 90% of Adults Reported Seizure Reduction | Research

The takeaway

In an Australian survey of 976 epilepsy patients, 13-15% had used cannabis products, 90% of adults reported seizure reduction, and the number of failed antiepileptic drugs was the strongest predictor of cannabis use.

People with epilepsy considering cannabis after conventional treatments have failed.

90% of adults who tried cannabis reported seizure reduction; number of failed drugs predicted cannabis use

What the researchers found

Epilepsy Action Australia surveyed 976 people with epilepsy nationwide. Among adults with epilepsy, 15% were currently using or had used cannabis products for seizure treatment. Among parents/guardians of children with epilepsy, 13% reported using cannabis for their child.

Among those who had used cannabis products, 90% of adults and 71% of parents reported success in reducing seizure frequency. The main motivations were managing treatment-resistant epilepsy and seeking a more favorable side-effect profile compared to standard antiepileptic drugs.

The most significant predictor of cannabis use was the number of previously tried antiepileptic drugs. Each additional failed medication increased the likelihood of turning to cannabis, reflecting the desperation of treatment-resistant epilepsy. Over half of respondents (56% of adults, 62% of parents) expressed willingness to participate in clinical trials of cannabinoids.

Why it matters

This study quantifies what clinicians suspected: people with epilepsy turn to cannabis after conventional treatments fail, and most report benefit. The finding that the number of failed medications predicts cannabis use has practical implications: clinicians managing treatment-resistant epilepsy should proactively discuss cannabis with patients who have exhausted multiple options.

The numbers in context

976 respondents. 15% of adults and 13% of parents had used cannabis. 90% of adults and 71% of parents reported seizure reduction. Number of prior antiepileptic drugs was the strongest predictor of cannabis use. 56% of adults and 62% of parents willing to join clinical trials.

How the study worked

Australian nationwide online survey conducted through Epilepsy Action Australia's website and Facebook page. 976 responses met inclusion criteria. 39 questions assessed demographics, clinical factors, cannabis use experiences, and attitudes.

What this study cannot tell us

Online survey promoted through an epilepsy advocacy organization, creating selection bias toward engaged patients. Self-reported seizure reduction was not verified by medical records or seizure diaries. Respondents who tried cannabis and found it unhelpful may be underrepresented. The cannabis products used were unregulated and uncharacterized.

How to read the evidence

Moderate evidence from a large national survey, limited by self-report and selection bias.

When this study was published

Published in 2017, before pharmaceutical CBD was available for epilepsy. Cannabis access and options have changed significantly.

The bigger picture

This Australian survey preceded Epidiolex FDA approval (2018) and reflects a period when epilepsy patients had to navigate unregulated cannabis products on their own. The high rate of self-reported benefit (90% in adults) is notable, though self-selection bias (those who benefited continued and thus responded) likely inflates this figure.

Questions still open

How does the self-reported 90% seizure reduction rate compare to controlled trial results for CBD (which showed ~40% responder rates)? Would standardized cannabis products produce more consistent results? Has the availability of pharmaceutical CBD (Epidiolex) changed patients' decisions about using unregulated cannabis?

Common questions

How effective is cannabis for epilepsy based on patient reports?

In this survey, 90% of adults who tried cannabis reported seizure reduction. However, this is self-reported data from people who continued using cannabis (those who stopped because it did not work are underrepresented). Controlled trials of pharmaceutical CBD show lower but still meaningful responder rates around 40%.

When do epilepsy patients typically turn to cannabis?

The strongest predictor in this study was the number of previously failed antiepileptic drugs. Patients generally turned to cannabis after exhausting multiple conventional options, treating it as a last resort for treatment-resistant epilepsy rather than a first-line choice.

Read the original research

An Australian nationwide survey on medicinal cannabis use for epilepsy: History of antiepileptic drug treatment predicts medicinal cannabis use.

Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 70(Pt B), 334-340

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Suraev, Anastasia S; Todd, Lisa; Bowen, Michael T; Allsop, David J; McGregor, Iain S; Ireland, Carol; Lintzeris, Nicholas. (2017). An Australian nationwide survey on medicinal cannabis use for epilepsy: History of antiepileptic drug treatment predicts medicinal cannabis use.. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B, 70(Pt B), 334-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2017.02.005