Scientists reveal a key ingredient in marijuana curbs epilepsy seizures by more than 50%

Further research is required 

The researchers, from the University of New South Wales, stress their findings are only in young patients, adding investigations should be carried out in people of varying ages with different forms of epilepsy.

The review was conducted by analysing six studies with a total of 3,420 epilepsy patients.

The participants, who had an average age of 16, had rare forms of the condition that had not responded to standard treatments, such as valproate and carbamazepine.

CBD’s effectiveness as an add-on to standard epilepsy treatment was investigated.

The findings were published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

Alcohol damages the brain more than cannabis

This comes after research released last month suggested alcohol damages the brain more than cannabis.

Unlike booze, marijuana does not affect the size or integrity of white or grey matter in the brain, even after years of exposure, a study found.

Grey matter enables the brain to function, while white controls communication between nerve clusters.

Study author Professor Kent Hutchison from the University of Colorado Boulder, said: ‘While marijuana may also have some negative consequences, it definitely is nowhere near the negative consequences of alcohol.’

The scientists add, however, research into cannabis’ mental effects are still very limited.

Lead author Rachel Thayer said: ‘Particularly with marijuana use, there is still so much that we don’t know about how it impacts the brain.’

In the US, 44 percent of those aged 12 or over have used cannabis at some point in their lives.

Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska and Colorado have legalised marijuana for medical or recreational use.