11-Year-Old Boy with ADHD Shows Significant Improvement After CBD Treatment
Before starting to use cannabis, Pedro spent a year using conventional therapies with no results
On the morning after the first day of using cannabidiol (CBD), 11-year-old Pedro Galego celebrated a very well-slept and rested night, which was unusual for him and his family. The boy from Ji-Paraná - Rondônia was diagnosed over a year ago with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a common condition in children and adolescents referred to specialized services, affecting about 5% of young people worldwide, according to the Brazilian Association of Attention Deficit (ABDA).
As Pedro's mother, Oliziane Galego, describes, he has always been very hyperactive and had difficulty concentrating, factors that hindered him in the classroom and in interacting with other children. Shortly after being diagnosed with ADHD, Pedro began using a conventional therapy, which according to his mother, had no significant effect.
Download Now
"With this other medication, I didn't see any results, Pedro was still the same. In March of this year, we started with CBD and the response was visible, 48 hours later it was already possible to notice a big difference," Oliziane reports.
In addition to better nights of sleep, with cannabis, the boy has been able to pay more attention in class, even becoming a standout student at school. "When he can stop and concentrate, he grasps things very quickly. Pedro's mind is always working, which is difficult sometimes. With cannabis, he was able to have some rest," explains the mother.
"When he can stop and concentrate (at school), he grasps things very quickly (and stands out). Pedro's mind is always working, which is difficult sometimes. With cannabis, he was able to have some rest."
Oliziane Galego, Pedro's mother
CBD and ADHD
Characterized by symptoms of inattention, restlessness, and hyperactivity-impulsivity, ADHD is a disorder highly compatible with CBD treatment. Research is still limited and in its early stages, factors that do not discourage neurosurgeon Wanderley Cerqueira de Lima,
"My experience in the office and the exchange of information with other professionals give me confidence to prescribe cannabis in these cases," emphasizes the doctor.
In 2017, the first controlled placebo study on the use of cannabis in ADHD treatment was published. The research conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience (IPPN) evaluated 30 patients, with 15 of them using cannabis. As a result, researchers found an improvement in hyperactivity-impulsivity, inattention, and cognition.
Barriers in Treatment
One of the major difficulties for those who need to undergo cannabis treatment in Brazil is the high cost of medications. Even with the certainty of improvement with CBD, Oliziane is concerned about access to medication.
"The path is right. My son's treatment is correct, but it's not easy. The medication is not cheap. Many people cannot afford the medication, and this affects the development of children," says Pedro's mother.
In addition to costs, another concern is with long-term treatment. According to the neurosurgeon, ADHD should be treated as a whole, with a conversation between medication and psychosocial care, carried out by educators, psychologists, parents, friends, and others.