CBD and Autism

The United States has recently made
medical marijuana increasingly legal and accessible in states across
the country. Along with this regulation change, there is also an
increase in the research that is being done that’s trying to learn
and understand all the benefits that stem from this natural herb. The
cannabinoids – THC and cannabidiol (CBD) – are starting to show
effectiveness in helping various illnesses and disorders.

One major disorder that researchers are
looking at is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These disorders are
typically involving the brain and present social-communication
challenges. Suffers of ASD also experience issues with activities,
repetitive behaviors, and the interests of people afflicted.
Recently, researchers have been looking at the effects of cannabidiol
and how it might work to help some of the challenges that come along
with ASD. Thus far, the results have been promising.

There have not been any verified
clinical studies on the healing power relationship between hemp oil
and autism, but there have been plenty of cases from healthcare
providers and parents that are praising the benefits that cannabidiol
has been supplying to individuals with the condition.

Clinical studies can sometimes take
years to get approved because of our current regulations that U.S.
authorities’ have set forth. Because of this, doctors are still a
little hesitant to prescribe hemp oil as a treatment option for ASD.
Regardless, there have been an array of studies that are showing
cannabidiol as a natural, effective treatment option for those with
autism.

The anecdotal evidence of this type of
treatment is pretty widespread. A child with autism so bad he
couldn’t speak came to clinical psychologist Dr. Giovanni Martinez
in Puerto Rico. Dr. Martinez prescribed the child to hemp oil and
after three weeks of use, the child spoke his first words. The mother
of the kid reported that after the communication improvement, the
child’s random outbursts also subsided, most likely as a result of
being able to communicate better.

In 2013, Dr. Siniscalco conducted a
study that found some compounds typically found in cannabis are able
to help with treatment because of CB2 receptors being a therapeutic
target for pharmacological management of care for autism.

Dr. Csaba Foldy led another study in
2013 that found, “endocannabinoids are molecules that are critical
regulators of normal neuron activity and are important for many brain
functions. By conducting studies in mice, we found that
neuroliginb-3, a protein that is mutated in some individuals with
autism, is important for relaying signals that tone down
communication between neurons.”

Even though there is an abundance of
anecdotal evidence, clinical studies must be done to get doctors on
board with prescribing the natural medicine as treatment for autism.

Luckily, Dr. Adi Aran, an Isreal-based
pediatric neurologist led the first clinical study on cannabis as a
treatment for autism. In his study, two types of cannabis oil
formulas or a placebo was given to participants. They are finding
reductions in symptoms and improvements in the overall mood of the
participants.

Dr. Aran cautions about jumping to
conclusions about cannabidiol as an effective treatment for autism,
but he feels optimistic about what he’s seen so far.