Cannabis-Free CBD: New Seizure Treatments

A team of researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) has made a groundbreaking discovery in the world of CBD medicine. By using a common kitchen spice — caraway seeds — the team has created a new class of CBD-like compounds that could offer safer, more affordable, and more effective treatments for childhood seizure disorders.

Caraway seeds, often used in cooking for their aromatic flavor, hold the key to this innovation. By modifying the chemical structure of carvone, the main compound in caraway, scientists were able to enhance the therapeutic effects of CBD while eliminating THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. The result is a set of THC-free, CBD-inspired medicines that show powerful seizure-reducing properties in preclinical trials.

These new compounds not only prevented seizures but also reduced seizure-related deaths and improved healthy brain cell development. Unlike traditional anticonvulsant drugs such as benzodiazepines, the CBD-based treatments developed by UNLV researchers avoided sedative side effects and long-term cognitive risks.

"This is an exciting step forward for patients who have exhausted existing treatment options," said Dustin Hines, a UNLV neuroscience professor and co-author of the study. "Our goal is to create CBD-like medicines that are more accessible, safe, and effective for children and families dealing with epilepsy."

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