{"id":33715,"date":"2021-10-14T15:06:57","date_gmt":"2021-10-14T15:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailycbd.cc\/en\/?post_type=crb_condition&p=33715"},"modified":"2021-10-20T18:28:23","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T18:28:23","slug":"cerebral-palsy","status":"publish","type":"crb_condition","link":"https:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/cerebral-palsy\/","title":{"rendered":"Is CBD a Viable Treatment for Cerebral Palsy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is Cerebral Palsy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cerebral palsy is a congenital condition that affects the brain, as well as body movements, muscle tone, and posture. It is the most common childhood motor disability and is often diagnosed early in childhood or even in infancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This debilitating condition is caused by a lack of oxygen flowing to the brain. It can occur in the womb or during a difficult birth. It can also be caused by meningitis or a serious head injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are four different types of cerebral palsy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Spastic CP<\/li>
  2. Athetoid CP<\/li>
  3. Ataxic CP<\/li>
  4. Mixed CP<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Each affects the body differently, giving some patients the ability to be more independent than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Does CBD Oil Help with Cerebral Palsy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There is only one FDA-approved CBD drug \u2014 Epidiolex \u2014 and it\u2019s used to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. However, both research and patient testimonies strongly suggest that CBD does help manage symptoms of cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Common symptoms of cerebral palsy include muscle spasms, tremors, lack of motor skills, speech delay, and tremors. The way cerebral palsy presents is dependent on which type of cerebral palsy a patient suffers from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Only one known study has specifically examined the effects of CBD on cerebral palsy symptoms. However, there are numerous studies that have been conducted on CBD and multiple sclerosis, a condition that has similar neurological symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The study revealed that CBD helped reduce spasticity, sleep difficulties, and overall decreased chronic pain in cerebral palsy patients [3<\/a>]. 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 relaxative properties of CBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Green<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>What Does CBD Oil Do to Your Brain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Because cerebral palsy affects neurological functions, you have to take into consideration the effects that CBD has on the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The effects of CBD are unique in the way they affect the endocannabinoid system as it is a non-intoxicating compound, making them an appealing alternative to marijuana which contains THC \u2014 the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unlike THC, CBD doesn\u2019t have an affinity to bind to endocannabinoid receptors<\/a>. Instead, CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system to produce more cannabinoids while also slowing the breakdown of those cannabinoids. It does this by inhibiting the release of the enzymes and helps to prime CB1 and CB2 receptors for those cannabinoids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CBD has also been shown to modulate pain receptor sites<\/a> (vanilloid and opioid receptors) and boost GABA-A activity in the brain to uplift one\u2019s mood, which may also affect one\u2019s perception of pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s a quick breakdown of the different ways CBD oil affects the brain:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>The Serotonin System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Serotonin is often associated with happiness, but the serotonin system affects so much more than that. The serotonin system affects not only one’s mood but their perception of pain and their appetite and digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So how does CBD come into play?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CBD targets the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, which is involved with neuromodulation. Researchers have observed a correlation between the 5-HT1A receptor dysfunction with generalized anxiety disorder and depression. While a lot is still unknown, there has been promising research to support claims that CBD oil alleviates pain and anxiety through its modulation at this receptor site [2<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>The Vanilloid Receptors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Vanilloid receptors regulate the body\u2019s temperature and control the body\u2019s reaction to inflammation and perception of pain. CBD binds to the TRPV1 (vanilloid receptors), helping to achieve a calming effect on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>Anandamide Booster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Anandamide is a fatty acid neurotransmitter and the first endocannabinoid to be discovered. It binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, helping to regulate homeostasis and stimulate a sense of happiness and wellbeing \u2014 it’s also aptly nicknamed the “bliss molecule.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    CBD has been shown to enhance anandamide signaling and slow the breakdown of these endocannabinoids by blocking the release of enzymes. Animal studies have found that anandamide-mediated signaling of CB1 receptors provided analgesic effects by limiting the input of pain to the central nervous system [5<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>What Dosages of CBD are Effective for Managing Cerebral Palsy Symptoms?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    There is no one dosage that is a magic treatment for cerebral palsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For some patients, it takes months, even years, of trial and error with different strains, dosages, and forms of CBD to find what works for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The way CBD will affect one’s body depends on a variety of factors, including weight, metabolism, what other medications you may be taking, the severity of your condition, the form of CBD, and of course, the dosage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The form of CBD determines the product\u2019s bioavailability \u2014 the percentage of CBD ingested that your body is able to absorb into the bloodstream. This is why certain products are better suited to certain needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here\u2019s the breakdown of <\/strong>CBD bioavailability<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n