If you’re one of the 500,000 Americans struggling with cerebral palsy, you deserve the best treatment available. Many CP patients have attempted pharmaceutical or surgical options. However, medical marijuana is proving to be an effective way to treat many of the severe symptoms associated with this disorder.
Using cannabis to treat CP is a relatively new concept, but there are already many medical marijuana products on the market. Specific strains of the herb are designed to target specific symptoms. You may be wondering which strain will benefit your condition. Use this as your guide to finding the best treatment options to target the aspects of CP you need relief from.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain injury or malformation in infants or children. Although the condition is not degenerative, the severity of the symptoms varies from one person to another. These include:
Medical marijuana is an effective treatment for many of the severe symptoms caused by cerebral palsy. Cannabis does more than just treat CP symptoms — it improves the health and quality of life of those who struggle every day with this disorder.
Although there are medications on the market that target the pain and spasticity associated with CP, these often cause harmful side effects and can be addictive. Cannabis is a relatively safe alternative, offering many of the benefits without the long-term consequences.
Medical cannabis dispensaries are appearing across the county as this natural medication becomes an accepted treatment option, and the number of products on the shelves may be overwhelming.
It’s best to explore different ingestion forms to see which works best for you and your symptoms. The effect of each differs depending on the individual. Methods you can try, depending on your state’s laws, include:
When you choose your strain, you need to consider your specific cerebral palsy symptoms, such as:
Certain cannabinoids and terpenes are known to target pain in users. If the strain contains high CBD and THC content, they make the best pain medications. However, if you prefer to stay away from the psychoactive side effect, there are also high-CBD strains. Examples include:
Strains which target stress are also good treatments for spasticity. They’re usually Indica strains, and can also help with the stuttering that often comes with CP. You could try:
Treating seizure disorders with medical marijuana is well-documented. Usually strains high in CBD have been shown most effective as well those with THCV, such as:
Indica cannabis is commonly used as a sleep aid. A few heavy varieties of this strain are known to knock users out:
Cannabis is an antidepressant that has improved the quality of life for patients all over the country. It helps people who are living with debilitating and chronic disorders cope. These strains are often high in THC, which produces the euphoric feeling often associated with weed:
If there’s a specific strain you’d like to try to treat your symptoms, always check with your dispensary to see if it’s available.
For more information about how cannabis can be used to treat Cerebral Palsy, check out our resources:
