It is not easy for a family to hear that the treatment they have already tried everything for still has not worked. For many children, medical cannabis emerges as a glimmer of hope when conventional medicine paths are exhausted. According to the pediatrician interviewed by Sechat, the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in children is generally reserved for refractory cases, when there is resistance to conventional therapies or intense side effects.

"Before prescribing, I conduct a complete evaluation of the clinical history, exams, medications tried, the child's routine, and family support," she explains. It is a care that goes far beyond the prescription: it is the construction of an attentive, empathetic, and unique look. "There is no one-size-fits-all solution," she emphasizes. Each protocol is shaped like clinical craftsmanship, respecting the time, the body, and the possibilities of the child and those who accompany them.

Epileptic syndromes such as Dravet, Lennox-Gastaut, and tuberous sclerosis are some of the most common neurological conditions for cannabidiol indication. But the treatment has also brought significant results in cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, cerebral palsy, rare neurological diseases, and chronic pain. In many of these cases, cannabis becomes a way to reduce the so-called "polypharmacy," the excessive use of medications that impact organs such as the liver and kidneys.

Still, the doctor makes a point of remembering: the child's endocannabinoid system is still developing, and therefore, it is essential to respect the body's time. "We start with very low doses, between 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day, and we adjust slowly until we find the lowest effective dose, with minimal side effects," said the doctor.

Caring for children is caring for families

When starting treatment, parents become fundamental pieces in the therapeutic process. "I often say that I don't just take care of neurodivergent children, but of neurodivergent families," she says. The support includes honest conversations about comorbidities, expectations, routines, and, especially, about the mental health of caregivers. "Taking care of a suffering child is, in itself, a challenge that requires clinical empathy and active listening," reflects Lays.

The routine with the oil also requires dedication: following the dosage and schedules rigorously, observing changes in behavior, sleep, appetite, crises, and keeping records so that the doctor can adjust the treatment precisely. The product, of course, needs to have quality and traceability. "It's not just any oil. It's a medication and should be treated as such," she emphasizes.

When cannabidiol opens doors that seemed closed

In clinical practice, the results are not just about numbers. They are in the exchanged looks, in the smiles that didn't come before, in the interactions that arise delicately. One of the most striking cases followed by the doctor was that of a child with non-progressive chronic encephalopathy, bedridden and using five anticonvulsants. With the use of CBD, the seizures stopped, sleep improved, spasticity reduced, and gradually, the child began to make eye contact, respond to stimuli, and even "choose the side of the bed."

Another touching story is that of a boy with autism, severe aggression, and wearing diapers at 7 years old. In a few days after starting treatment, he abandoned the diaper on his own, started sleeping better, socializing, and participating in school activities. "The mother cried saying that, for the first time, they went to the movies together," the pediatrician recounts. "And about side effects? Now he talks too much," she expresses with laughter. "But these are the effects we welcome with affection."

Overcoming fear with information and care

Despite the advances and successful cases, there is still resistance. Some of this comes from ignorance and the stigma surrounding the plant itself, popularly known as marijuana and sometimes demonized by society. "The first thing I do is dissociate the medical use of cannabis from recreational use. I explain the scientific foundations, show studies, and report the cases I follow responsibly," says the pediatrician.

Among healthcare professionals themselves, the debate is beginning to mature. "Prejudice is giving way to curiosity and listening. With dialogue and evidence, we show that it is not about replacing treatments, but about offering another care tool, especially for those who have tried everything and are still suffering," she ponders.

A treatment that restores possibilities

At the end of each story, there is the same message: treatment with cannabidiol is not magic, but it can be a bridge. A bridge that connects suffering to relief, isolation to connection, exhaustion to hope. "When the child starts responding well, they can engage better in therapies. And then we see that it's not just about seizures or crises, it's about giving that child the chance to reach their potential. And the family, the chance to breathe. To dream again," concludes Lays.

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