For Thiago Coli de Aguiar, 23, a pool and open water swimmer in Florianópolis (SC), water has always represented freedom. Born with myelomeningocele, a spinal cord malformation, his journey has been marked by overcoming obstacles, and the sport, which started as physiotherapy, became his passion and profession in Paralympic swimming.

However, an unexpected challenge arose in 2020, when Thiago had his first seizure at 17, a problem with no clear diagnosis that disrupted his routine as an athlete. The solution came in 2021, when treatment with medical cannabis became the turning point to control the episodes and boost his career.

A challenge outside the water

The inaugural crisis occurred in the first week of the pandemic, abruptly in the locker room, after a workout. "While taking a shower,' I noticed something strange. The water was very hot, I tried to tell my father who was with me, but I couldn't say anything," he recalls. "I saw everything getting dark and woke up lying on the bench with some people around me. It was a shock when I realized it was a seizure."

After the scare, the search for an effective treatment began. However, the first conventional medication had no effect, and the seizures continued constant, intense, and uncontrollable. Until, more than a year later, by recommendation, Thiago started a new chapter in his health with medical cannabis oil. The result, according to him, was transformative and restored the stability he needed.

"It took a while to get the oil dosage right, but, thank God, it stabilized. It greatly reduced the seizures. The result was very relevant," comments the athlete, who has not suffered from the episodes for a long time.

The benefits went beyond controlling the seizures. "I noticed an improvement not only in the seizures, but also in relaxation and post-workout muscle recovery. Also, of course, in sleeping and eating better," explains Thiago, who also uses a cannabis ointment for intense pain.

Thiago's improvement is supported by recent research. A study from USP, published in Acta Epileptologica, revealed that cannabidiol (CBD) reduced seizures by 41% in patients with refractory epilepsy. Another analysis, in Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders, concluded that CBD significantly reduced the frequency of seizures compared to placebo.

Watch the speech by Dr. Laerte Rodrigues Junior on how cannabis can help patients suffering from seizures:

Resilience is the key to success

Long before the seizures, Thiago was already struggling to keep practicing the sport he loves. In 2018, he underwent invasive surgery. At the time, dealing with a 75-degree scoliosis, as well as lordosis and kyphosis, he needed to have two rods and 17 pins placed in his spine.

Complications returned in February 2024, when he underwent a new surgery – this time calmer – to place three more pins and adjust three others that were out of place. This time, the wait to return to competitions was not long, by the end of the year he was back to training.

In June 2025, he was already achieving personal records. In the National Circuit, he achieved his best marks, finishing 7th in the 50m backstroke and 6th in the 200m freestyle. The results keep him in the elite of Brazilian Paralympic swimming, with the goal of competing in the national championship.

Today, graduated and with a postgraduate degree in graphic design, Thiago plans the future without leaving his essence behind. "I love training, competing, and traveling. As long as I can, I want to continue in the middle of swimming, regardless of where I will go," concludes the athlete.