Is CBD Oil a Safe Treatment Option for Children with Cerebral Palsy?

 Posted on June 24, 2020 in Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) can cause uncontrolled movement, difficulty swallowing, problems with walking and coordination, chronic pain, and a long list of other debilitating symptoms. If you are a parent of a child with cerebral palsy, you may be willing to try almost anything to give your child some relief from his or her symptoms. One medication you may be curious about is Cannabidiol, or as it is better known, CBD oil. There is still much to be discovered about this substance and how it can be safely used as a medication for children. However, there are also many parents who praise the substance’s ability to reduce their child’s CP-related symptoms.  

What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive. It does not produce the feeling of being “high.” However, the substance may be able to provide some of the same pain-relieving and calming benefits that THC-containing marijuana provides. CBD oil is often taken sublingually, meaning it is placed under the tongue and allowed to enter the bloodstream through capillaries in the mouth. It may also be taken orally in capsule form or even used topically in the form of CBD-infused lotions and creams.  

Does CBD Oil Alleviate CP Symptoms?

Several studies have shown that CBD oil has a strong analgesic effect for the majority of adult study participants. Adverse side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, and nausea were most often reported as being only mild to moderate. One study explored the effectiveness of a CBD oil medication called Sativex on patients with muscle spasticity caused by multiple sclerosis. The data collected in this study showed a reduction of spinal excitability and spasticity and an increase of intracortical inhibition in participants who were given the medication. CBD oil has also been shown to help with pain and sleep for those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 

A study conducted by Wolfson Medical Center in Israel involved administering medical marijuana oil to cerebral palsy sufferers aged 1 – 17 years. One group of children received oil with a 1:6 ratio of THC to CBD and the other group received an oil with a 1:20 ratio. The study found that after several months of treatment, the children in both groups experienced an improvement in motor function, reduction in pain, and improvement with sleeping and bowel movements. There is still much about medical marijuana and CBD oil that researchers and doctors do not know. If you are interested in learning more about whether or not CBD oil may be a safe treatment option for your child, speak to your child’s pediatrician.

Contact a Chicago Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Lawyer

Cerebral palsy can cause a lifetime of pain and difficulty. The causes of cerebral palsy are not fully understood; however, the condition is sometimes a result of complications or medical errors during the child’s birth. The skilled Illinois birth injury attorneys at Birth Injury Law Alliance have the education and experience needed to help parents determine whether or not their child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence. If the child’s condition could have been prevented, we work with parents to make sure they receive the financial compensation they need and deserve. To learn more, call us today at 312-462-4200 to schedule your free initial consultation.

Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits#section1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-medical-marijuana-helps-kids-with-cerebral-palsy-study-finds-1.5448920