Cerebral palsy and cannabis

[Innocent criminal]

Due to the fact that my youngest child has recently been diagnosed with mild Cerebral palsy I am on a mission to find as much information on treatments as possible.

He is a long way from being old enough to share a bong with me but I would like to keep tabs on any research in this area for future reference .

His symptoms are mild (no muscle spasms or fits) so hopefully he is only ever in need of it's analgesic properties and not it's muscle relaxant ones.

 

If anyone comes across related studies or other relevant information please provide a link or description so that anyone else who is interested can have a look too.

I will be dumping any credible articles or studies here as well.

 

Thanks and

THC

[SHEEPinWOLFskin]

typed "Cerebral palsy cannabinoids" into pubmed and got 2 hits

 

Endocannabinoids potently protect the newborn brain against AMPA-kainate receptor-mediated excitotoxic damage.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16682966

 

Treatment of human spasticity with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6271839

 

I'd ask Robert Melamede, PhD about it and find out if Rick Simpson has any knowledge about it. Based on what those guys are saying I can't see why Cannabinoids wouldn't help.

 

PS need the oil not bongs

 

All the best!

Edited March 28, 2010 by SHEEPinWOLFskin

[Innocent criminal]

Thanks Sheep, the first one I have already read in greater detail, it is a long way from showing effective human treatment, the second one is more applicable, I have also seen this one mentioned fairly widely, it is more useful than the first study but with such a small sample group the results are really just a general confirmation of positive effects.

 

Rubbish you need oil, those tests would have been done with refined or synthetic THC and most people who medicate with cannabis do so with the raw herb and find it effective, whenever someone starts going on about oil and it's miracles my little bullshit warning light comes on.

It's not like I'm going to dose him up on oil anyways, until he is old enough to weigh up the options and make a decision for himself cannabinoids wont be on the table, when it does get to that point he will decide how to administer it, I will of course advise him to take it in any way other than smoking but that will be his choice.

 

Thanks anyways

[HowAboutNo]

I do believe more traditional methods would be a better alternative in this scenario.

[cybergenesis]

Hmmm...

 

If my child had a significant disease, would I consider giving them cannabis? Yes but hesitantly.

 

It would depend on how severe their problems were and how much benefits cannabis would cause:

 

If they had SEVERE problems, severe discomfort / pain, and cannabis helped a lot, then I would consider it with them as early as 10... However this is not something I like the idea of... I would try and give them lots of "break periods" from cannabis to enable normal psychological development to occur. I would keep close watch for any unpleasant effects from the cannabis, it also wouldn't be a bad idea to get various cognitive tests done, to track their mental development.

 

Once the child is about 12-13 its not so bad if they use cannabis, again they should try to minimize how much they consume though.

 

I've known various kids who have used cannabis since as young as 10, and I can't say I can see that it has caused any of them any obvious problems (they have mostly grown up now). However young kids already have impaired judgment, kids on cannabis need to be strictly monitored / watched.

 

You would want to be careful in kids that are prone to worrying / anxiety though.

 

However I know nothing about the specific condition you are referring to. It is possible that low dose cannabis (lower than what would produce a significant "stoned" effect) may provide benefit.

Edited April 15, 2010 by cybergenesis

[Innocent criminal]

I do believe more traditional methods would be a better alternative in this scenario.

 

Jeez you are missing the point of this thread As I said, it is intended as a future reference for when he is old enough to decide his own medication.

I have just spent a week in hospital with him getting MRI's and X-rays ect. and according to the specialists there is no medicinal or surgical treatment for what he has (a brain lesion).

This lesion is in the motor control section of his brain so it wont effect his learning or intelligence, only his motor skills.

At this point the only available treatment is intense physiotherapy which he has been getting for 12 months plus anyway.

Cannabis will be an option for pain management in the future but I would not consider giving it to him until he is at an age where he would be trying it anyway (at least 16).

 

[Budman2012]

Hello THC , I'm sorry to hear about that diagnosis for your son ... I don't really know what to say but I wish you and him and the family all the very best for it along the way.

 

Did you say you had found a few studies on the subject? ... I'm sure many would appreciate the link to such a study for further reference. (I talk more and more with random people with serious health concerns that desire more information on their condition and the possibilities of Cannabis used as relief and health management tool.

Please do post whatever you find on the matter

 

I know it's slightly off topic but there was a major story not long ago about a mother treating her young child with Cannabis Oils ... I forget for what exact sympoms and ailment but it was something serious.

I'm sure someone remembers ... otherwize I would have the link stashed away somewhere to the story

(It was on NORML too)

 

Anyhoo , All the best for you and yours mate

Cheerz and may the future be kind

 

Budman

[Fibrofeend]

Sorry to hear about your kid.

I applaud you for even discussing the notion of using cannabis as part of the child's treatment.

As most people would be on the phone to DOCS to report you if they heard this.

I see nothing wrong with it being used here and there as a analgesic, in part of a comprehensive

management plan for the given condition no matter what age.

A mild cookie hear and there if it helps alleviate symptoms can only be a good thing.

 

good luck with it