Top-notch researchers from Saskatchewan and Alberta in Western Canada are now busy looking into safety and usage of cannabis oil, popularly known as cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a marijuana extract with little percentage of psychoactive compounds. Canadian researchers are carrying out a research to determine if it is safe for patients suffering from epilepsy.
The lead researchers of this study are 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. The main focus of the research is to study the nature of cannabis oil and to find out if the usage of this oil on children suffering from epilepsy could cause any unpleasant effects.
Dr. Wai explained that the research began after parents of children suffering from severe epilepsy requested for it.
Wai said that these parents are just looking for anything that could bring relief to their children. The parents have a pre-notion that CBD is a miracle potion and they seek cannabis oil themselves.
Dr. Huntsman explained that some children who were involved in the study have a worst case scenario, where they suffer from almost 100 seizures a day and it is simply hard to stop parents from doing so in such desperate times. He, however, added that it has not yet been determined if the content of the product is completely safe for use.
Safety of the patients is of top priority when it comes to administration of drugs, especially with children and they hope to shed some light on the cannabis oil through their research, said the lead researchers.
Dr. Huntsman cited that the medicinal products, which are being used for the research, have a high percentage of cannabis oil with less amount of THC product. He further elaborated that their earlier studies on cannabis oil showed some positive outcome on treating patients with epilepsy. But those were just the earlier stages.
Wai cleared the air by telling that the usage of cannabis oil is not the same as the usage of recreational marijuana. The recreational drug has a huge percentage of THC, which causes psychoactive effects.
The research happening is a multi-center study at both the prestigious universities along with other partner sites at the University de Montréal, University of British Columbia, and McGill University.
