There are several benefits cannabis consumption can provide to ease the disease’s symptoms
Cerebral palsy is a congenital disease that affects the brain as well as body movements, muscle tone, and posture. It is the most common motor disability in childhood and is usually diagnosed in the first years of life. This debilitating disease is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia). Research has found that cannabidiol (CBD) has broad therapeutic potential as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), neuroprotective, muscle relaxant, and analgesic. Therefore, this compound can be an ally to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from this terrible condition.
There is only one FDA-approved CBD drug (Epidiolex), and it is used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. However, both research and patient testimonials suggest that CBD helps control the symptoms of cerebral palsy.
While research between cannabis and cerebral palsy has been very limited, there have been numerous studies on CBD and multiple sclerosis, a disease that has similar neurological symptoms. One of the few studies found that CBD helped reduce spasticity, sleep difficulties and generally reduced chronic pain in patients with cerebral palsy.
These findings were supported by another study conducted in 2018, which studied neurological disorders. It was concluded that patients found relief from muscle spasticity due to the anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties of CBD. Since CBD is not an intoxicating compound, its effects on the endocannabinoid system are unique.
CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system to produce more cannabinoids while slowing the breakdown of cannabinoids. It does this by inhibiting the release of enzymes and priming the CB1 and CB2 receptors for those cannabinoids.
Many symptoms of cerebral palsy, including chronic pain, muscle spasms, and insomnia, are already effectively treated with medical cannabis. In addition, cannabis can help combat symptoms of depression, which are often associated with the disease due to reduced quality of life for patients.