Recent research has shown that a compound taken from the cannabis plant, known as cannabidiol, can help to reduce the frequency of seizures in children with a severe seizure disorder, known as Dravet syndrome.

Dravet syndrome is a very rare condition caused by a genetic mutation. Afflicted children often experience multiple, prolonged seizures that can cause brain damage on a regular basis — and currently, there is no treatment for it. Often described as a severe form of epilepsy, the condition can be life-threatening.  Study author Dr. Orrin Devinsky, who is also the director of the New York University Comprehensive Epilepsy Center reportedly told NBC News, "It's hard to portray how serious and devastating this is."

To conduct their research, Dr. Devinsky and his team treated 120 children with Dravet syndrome with cannabidiol (CBD) or a placebo. In the study, half of the children were given a CBD supplement, while the remainder were given the placebo.