Whole Plant Cannabinoid Nonpharmaceutical Treatment Protocols for a Young Male With Dravet Syndrome

Abstract

Objective

This case report describes the outcomes of a novel, conservative approach for a young male patient with Dravet syndrome, which is a genetic epileptic encephalopathy resulting in frequent and recalcitrant seizures and developmental delays.

Clinical Features

A male infant began to experience seizures before 7 months of age, and genetic testing revealed an SCN1A mutation, confirming the diagnosis of Dravet syndrome. At age 7, despite standard polypharmacy consisting of antibiotics, steroids, and antiepileptic drugs, he continued to suffer from approximately 25 to 28 daily tonic-clonic refractory seizures.

Intervention and Outcome

The clinical objective was to restore the function of the endocannabinoid system by integrating very low-dose, whole-plant extracted, naturally chiral, hemp-derived phytocannabinoid formulations, and broad environmental and dietary modifications. Within the first week of treatment, the patient had only 1 to 2 mild seizures per day. Four years later, all pharmaceuticals were discontinued, and by age 12, the patient’s daily hemp formulation was reduced to as-needed status. At the time of this writing, the patient was 16 years of age and had an average of 7 to 10 very mild petit mal seizures per month. The whole plant hemp formulations generated no observable side effects.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates conservative comanagement of a patient with a catastrophic seizure disorder using novel nonpharmaceutical comanagement strategies.