
30/06/2022
MEDICAL MA*****NA FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
The Benefits of Medical Ma*****na and CBD Oil for Autism
Children’s Hospital will study medical ma*****na’s effect on children with autism
An upcoming study at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will be the first of its kind in the United States to examine the benefits of medical ma*****na in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study is in partnership with an Australian biopharmaceutical company called Zelda Therapeutics, who will be funding the study.
Athena Zupp, the director of Children’s Hospital’s Center for Clinical Pharmacology, told philly.com that “the hospital will not provide any cannabis products to children. This is truly an observational study. We’re not giving them anything. We’re just gathering data to educate ourselves.” The researchers will be working with children who are already covered under Pennsylvania’s Safe Harbor Provision. (Wood, 2017) The study is expected to begin early this year.
Medications traditionally used to help children with ASD
In a study published in 2008 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, atypical antipsychotics are described as, “indispensable in the treatment of a variety of symptoms in autism.” The study examines the efficacy of haloperidol and risperidone for treating behavioral symptoms commonly associated with autism including aggression, anger, and self-injurious behaviors. It concludes that the medications can alleviate these behaviors when behavioral interventions are ineffective but warns that potential side effects must be considered and weighed.
Benefits of Medical Ma*****na and CBD Oil for Autism
The most common side effects listed include weight gain, hyperprolactinemia (elevated serum prolactin), sedation, adverse cognitive effects, and tardive dyskinesia (involuntary, repetitive body movements). (Posey, Stigler, Erickson, & McDougle, 2008) While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved these medications for use in children with autism, some parents are still wary of these potential side effects.
Can Medical Ma*****na Treat Autism Symptoms?
Many parents of autistic children are advocating for the legalization of medical ma*****na to help treat some of the symptoms of autism including reducing anxiety, self-injurious behaviors, sleep dysregulation, and trouble with social interactions.
Mothers Advocating Medical Ma*****na for Autism (MAMMA) is a parent advocacy group with chapters in seven U.S. states (Arizona, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Iowa, and Illinois). MAMMA’s goal is to give all children with autism legal access to medical ma*****na under the care of a physician. The group’s website provides testimonials from 10 families who claim ma*****na has greatly helped their child’s symptoms. Several of these families testimonials consider themselves “medical refugees” moving across state lines so their children will be eligible for the use of medical ma*****na for seizures and other qualifying conditions.
Other families submitted testimonials anonymously and say they will continue to use ma*****na illegally until legislation is passed in their states or autism is considered a qualifying condition. Most of the testimonials praise ma*****na for helping their children reduce self-injurious behaviors and regulate their moods and sleep, with some families claiming that the plant reduced their child’s seizures, a common co-occurring symptom of autism. The families affiliated with MAMMA and other similar groups say medical ma*****na alleviates their child from the side effects of traditional pharmaceuticals sometimes prescribed for children with autism including antipsychotic medications.
Can CBD oil help with aggression caused by autism?
We have a dedicated guide for parents looking for more information on CBD oil for autism
Since parents have started using CBD oil to help ease aggression in their children caused by autism, the anecdotal evidence has been overwhelmingly positive. Some parents report that their children who used to be unreachable during fits of rage are able to implement calming techniques; other parents report decreased instances of physical violence.
Benefits of Medical Ma*****na and CBD Oil for Autism
In 2010, Lester Grinspoon, MD urged doctors to take this anecdotal evidence seriously and conduct further medical research on the effects of CBD oil on aggression. Many researchers are focused on the question of what causes autism aggression rather on guiding research efforts towards looking for ways to manage the aggression that many children with autism and his/her families have to navigate daily. CBD oil for anger and aggression is a welcomed option for many families who have previously tried medications traditionally used to help children with autism deal with strong emotions. As more research is done on medical ma*****na, CBD oil, and autism, scientists will have a better idea of how CBD interacts with the brain of an autistic child and why it is so effective.
International studies focus on children and medical ma*****na and CBD oil
In January 2017, Dr. Aran, the director of the neuro-pediatric unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, spearheaded the inaugural clinical trial to determine medical ma*****na’s effects on children with autism. The study followed 120 children and young adults with autism as they received CBD oil.
This compound contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is high in cannabinoids and is not psychoactive, therefore children receiving the oil did not feel “high.” Dr. Aran hopes to take the guesswork out of how medical ma*****na helps children with autism so that they can be treated with more precision and lower risk of potential unknown effects with prolonged use. The results of this study are expected to be released in the coming months.
A study from Brazil showed that taking a CBD product twice a day results in significant improvements in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. So there is more and more clinical evidence of CBD in autism.
Autism symptoms are difficult to treat. That's because every situation is different, so standard treatments don't exist. Currently, people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive attention therapy, (cognitive) behavioral therapy, group treatments, physiotherapy, speech therapy and much more. Various treatments are often combined.
Many patients experience enormous benefits by adding cannabidiol (CBD) to a treatment plan. They are better able to deal with stimuli, suffer less from anger outbursts and tics, experience more rest and are less introverted.
There is currently increasing research into how CBD works in autism. Unfortunately, clinical research is scarce, but that is also about to change. This is partly thanks to a team of Brazilian researchers , who recently studied the impact of CBD-rich extracts in a group of patients.
93% experienced improvements
During the study, a CBD rich extract with a 75: 1 CBD: THC ratio was used. This ratio was administered to a group of 15 patients aged 6-17 years with autism. The study lasted 6 months, during which time they received a dose of between 50 and 100 mg CBD every day.
“Fourteen of the fifteen patients (93%) showed improvements equal to or greater than 30 percent in at least one symptom category. Most of the patients who adhered to treatment had improvements in more than one symptom category. Seven patients (47%) had improvements equal to or greater than 30 percent in four or more symptom categories. Two patients (13%) presented improvements equal to or greater than 30 percent in two symptom categories, and five patients (33 percent) presented improvements equal to or greater than 30 percent in one symptom category, ”the authors said.
"Most of the patients in this study had improved symptoms"
Based on their study, the team concludes: “The findings presented taken together indicate that CBD-enriched CE [cannabis extracts] have positive effects on multiple autistic symptoms, without the typical side effects found with regular treatments. Most of the patients in this study had improved symptoms even after supervised use of other neuropsychiatric drugs. “
How to advocate for the legalization of medical ma*****na for autism
Parents interested in advocating for the legalization of medical ma*****na in their area or having autism listed as a qualifying condition can do so in a variety of ways. Contacting your local representatives via email, phone call, or setting up a meeting is an important step in letting your government know that it is an important issue for you. The more hospitals conduct studies on the impact of medical ma*****na on children with autism, the more information will be available to parents and lawmakers.
Encouraging hospitals to begin their own studies and trials is crucial in gathering the information needed to learn more. Finally, joining a group like MAMMA could help you stay informed on new studies and advocacy opportunities.
Resources:
CBD oil for autism https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/cbd-oil-autism/
Wood, S. (2017, December 11). Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to study medical ma*****na and autism. Retrieved 2018, from http://www.philly.com/philly/business/cannabis/childrens-hospital-to-study-medical-ma*****na-and-autism-20171211.html
Posey, D. J., Stigler, K. A., Erickson, C. A., & McDougle, C. J. (2008, January 02).
Antipsychotics in the treatment of autism. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2171144/
Risks and side effects. Retrieved from
https://farma.health/cbd-oil-for-autism/
Links to epilepsy and autism. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150420100824.htm
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4648708/
https://www.facebook.com/Cannabinoil-Malaysia-100816369306060/
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