Researchers from Saskatchewan and Alberta in Western Canada are now looking into the safety and usage of cannabis oil, also known as cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis oil is basically a marijuana extract with extremely low levels of psychoactive compound. A study is being carried to check if it is safe for children with epilepsy.
Dr. Richard Tang-Wai, who is a pediatric epileptologist at the University of Alberta and Dr. Richard Huntsman, who is a pediatric neurologist at the University of Saskatchewan are the lead researchers of the study. The main area of their study is cannabidiol.
Dr. Tang-Wai explained that the study started after parents of children suffering with severe epilepsy demanded for it.
He said that the parents are just looking for anything that could bring relief to their children. Some of the parents justified their demand citing that they have seen news reports referring to CBD as a miracle drug.
Dr. Huntsman said some children who were involved in the study have the worst cases scenario with up to 100 seizures a day.
Tang-Wai explained that parents would seek out cannabidiol themselves.
“It’s hard to stop parents from doing that sometimes because they are desperate,” Tang-Wai said; however, he further added that it can’t be determined what else is present in those products.
The lead researchers said that safety is of top priority when it comes to administration of medication, especially with children and they hope to shed some light on it through their research.
Huntsman said that the products they were using in the study have a high percentage of cannabidiol, with low THC product. He further explained that earlier studies have shown some benefits of CBD on treating patients with epilepsy. But those were just the earlier stages.
Tang-Wai cleared the air by telling that the usage of CBD is not the same as the usage of recreational marijuana. The recreational drug has a high percentage of THC, which causes psychoactive effects.
When it comes to epileptic seizures, the children involved in the study have different degrees of severity. Dr. Huntsman said some children even face up to 100 seizures in a day. These children are also not the contenders for surgery due to diet or medication.
Huntsman said, “These kids also, as part of epilepsy syndromes, often regress developmentally. So, that really adds to the urgency that we need to get a good feel, a good handle of what’s happening with cannabis.”
The research is a multi-center study happening at both the universities, along with partner sites at the Université de Montréal, University of British Columbia and McGill University.
