Cannabis and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Cannabis and cannabinoids have promising effects in treating symptoms associated with ASD and can be used as therapeutic alternatives to relieve them.

A few weeks ago I accidentally met an absolutely wonderful family - my mother Leroy, who is raising three adorable daughters. In addition to the fact that Lera's mother is smart and beautiful, she is, among other things, business women, who organized a rehabilitation center for children suffering from autistic disorders.

For those who want to become even a little kinder, learn to appreciate humanity and kindness, as well as how to fight for the happiness of their loved ones, I recommend visiting this kind of institution or talking to its staff. In particular, after a conversation with the daughter of Lera's mother, who works as a professional psychologist in the above-mentioned rehabilitation center, I had an acute desire to somehow help children and their parents who suffer but struggle with this kind of disorders.

On the pages of the specialized electronic edition of national cannabis growers, materials have already been published with a key question on this topic “ Is it possible to cure autism with cannabis? ”. Presenting the opportunity for our colleagues from abroad to work with therapeutic hemp flowers and already having established business contacts in this area, I turned to the relevant specialists with the question of whether a hemp plant can help such children with whom the rehabilitation center of Lera's mother works. I really hope that the information sent by our colleagues will be not only interesting, but also useful in the treatment of at least autistic disorders, including in our country. The data provided by foreign cannabis growers are systematized and published for review without cuts or changes.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) defines a group of neurodevelopmental problems whose symptoms include impaired communication and social interaction with limited or repetitive motor movements. In some cases, it can also be associated with general cognitive deficits. Although ASD can be diagnosed at any age, it is defined as a “developmental disorder” as symptoms usually appear during the first two years of life. Autism is known as a spectrum disorder because there is a wide range of symptom severity, from mild to debilitating.

In recent years, more and more human studies have been carried out and there have been reports of cases documenting the improvement in the condition of patients with ASD after the introduction of the hemp plant or various cannabinoid formulations into the mechanisms of rehabilitation or treatment.

Brazil

A 2019 Brazilian observational study found that taking herbal extracts of cannabidiol twice daily was associated with improved symptoms of ASD in 14 out of 15 adolescents.

Israel

Data published in 2018 in the journal Neurology shows that cannabidiol-dominated (CBD) cannabis extracts led to significant improvements in over 60 percent of ASD patients with refractory behavioral problems.

A 2019 study involving 188 patients found that over 90 percent of subjects who received CBD extracts for at least six months showed "some level of symptomatic improvement." About a third of the respondents reported a reduction in the intake of other drugs. Based on their findings, the study authors concluded that “Cannabis as a treatment for patients with autism spectrum disorder appears to be a well-tolerated, safe and effective way to relieve symptoms, mainly: seizures, tics, depression, anxiety and fits of rage ".

Another Israeli trial, completed in the same year, also found that the use of cannabidiol extracts led to “overall improvements” in a cohort of 53 children with ASD.

USA

In 2020, American researchers from Tufts University in Boston reported on their clinical experience with children and young people with ASD who consumed therapeutically active elements of cannabis or products that included drug-free cannabinoids. Among patients with aggression associated with autism, 60 percent reported improvements after treatment. Among subjects diagnosed with ASD, 91 percent reported improved seizure control.

Canada

Canadian scientists have documented the successful treatment of a 15-year-old autistic patient after additionally adding low doses of cannabidiol extracts. The researchers reported that the patient's symptoms improved within six months of treatment, and since then he has maintained "a positive effect on his behavioral symptoms, anxiety, sleep and social deficits."

Results from a placebo-controlled clinical study showed that administration of whole grain hemp extracts was a safe and effective treatment for a cohort of 150 adolescents with autism. The scientists said: “In this experiment, we demonstrated for the first time in a placebo-controlled study that cannabinoid treatment can reduce disruptive behavior associated with ASD with acceptable tolerance. Disruptive behavior on the CGI-I [Clinical Overall Impression Scale - Improvement] was significantly improved in 49 percent [of subjects taking] the whole plant extract compared with 21 percent in the placebo group. The median overall SRS [Social Response Scale] (secondary outcome) improved by 14.9 [points] for the whole plant extract compared to 3.6 after placebo. "

"Molecular Autism" - Germany, Spain, Netherlands, UK

According to clinical data published in the journal Molecular Autism, administration of the phytocannabinoid CBDV (cannabidinavir) modulates brain chemistry in autistic patients and is generally associated with treatment progress.

An international team of researchers from Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom evaluated CBDV versus placebo in a cohort of male patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers reported that administration of CBDV resulted in brain changes in the striatum that are usually associated with relief of ASD symptoms.

The authors concluded, "A single dose of CBDV was sufficient to change the atypical FC [functional connectivity] of the striatum in the mature autistic brain to a pattern originally found in neurotypicals."

Literature review

A 2021 review of the relevant literature indicates that “Hemp products reduce the number and / or intensity of various symptoms, including hyperactivity, bouts of self-harm and anger, sleep problems, anxiety, agitation, irritability, persistence, aggressiveness, and depression. Moreover, they are associated with improved cognition, sensory sensitivity, attention, social interaction and language. " The review authors concluded: "Cannabis and cannabinoids have promising effects in treating symptoms associated with ASD and can be used as therapeutic alternatives to alleviate them."