Autism and cannabis

Cannabidiol (CBD) has taken the media by storm in recent years, with the emergence of a growing body of research on the potential benefits of these plant-based therapies.

For example, research suggests that CBD may help relieve symptoms associated with chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, epileptic seizures, and so on. But can CBD treat autism?

Believe it or not, there are actually a handful of credible academic publications on the use of cannabis for autism. In addition, Israeli researchers are currently investigating the potential effects of CBD on autism spectrum disorders. Let’s take a closer look at some of these details.

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), more commonly known as autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in early childhood. As a spectrum disorder, ASD presents a wide range of symptoms; it is rare for two people with autism to be affected in exactly the same way.

Common symptoms of autism include the following:

• A delay in speech and language development
• Difficulties with verbal and nonverbal communication
• Difficulties with social interactions
• Behavioral problems, such as compulsive behavior and outbursts of anger
• Repetition of actions, words, or phrases
• Abnormal sensory perception

Children with autism are more likely to have learning difficulties and psychological problems, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. Many children with autism also have epilepsy and experience seizures.

The exact causes of ASD are unclear, but they are likely due to a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is little evidence that upbringing, diet, or vaccines play a role.

Current Treatment for Autism

There is currently no known cure for ASD. Treatments do exist, but rather than seeking to reverse the condition itself, they aim to reduce the severity of symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with autism and their families.

Developing an effective treatment plan for autism typically involves consultations with pediatricians, speech-language pathologists, behavioral health specialists, occupational therapists, special education teachers, and social workers.

When it comes to medications, there are prescriptions that can be effective in treating some of the symptoms of autism. For example, antipsychotic medications can be used to address behavioral problems, and antidepressants can be used to treat symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

The challenge with these medications is striking the right balance to minimize the risk of adverse side effects. For many patients, conventional medicine is ineffective and/or problematic in terms of contraindications. This has led researchers—as well as autistic patients and their families—to explore the possibility of new alternative treatments for autism.

Can CBD treat autism?

Most of the current evidence on cannabis and CBD for autism is anecdotal. For example, it’s fairly easy to go online and find articles by patients or their family members claiming that marijuana is a cure for autism.

Although these reports may be positive and offer hope, they provide little reliable clinical evidence regarding the effects of marijuana and CBD on autism.

Nevertheless, increased attention to the topic has prompted some researchers to study the practical effects of cannabis-based therapy on ASD.

Research on Cannabis as a Potential Treatment Option for Autism

One of these researchers is Dr. Adi Aran, director of the pediatric neurology department at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Dr. Aran first recognized the potential of cannabis and CBD for treating autism based on previous research into the effects of cannabinoids on epilepsy.

Based on data suggesting that cannabis compounds are effective in treating seizures associated with ASD, Dr. Aran designed his own small-scale study on CBD-based medical cannabis for children with autism. The study, published in the academic journal *Neurology*, involved 60 patients with ASD with an average age of 12. The patients had not seen any improvement in their condition using conventional treatment methods.

Research on Cannabis as a Potential Treatment Option for Autism

Dr. Aran’s participants were treated with CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a 20:1 ratio, with their dosage gradually increased to a daily maximum of 10 mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight.

Behavioral and communication components (including symptoms such as anxiety) were assessed before and after the cannabis treatment period. The results were extremely positive, with 61 % of the patients experiencing a significant improvement in the behavioral manifestations of ASD. In addition, 47 % of the patients showed improvement in communication, while 39 % showed improvement in anxiety symptoms. A 29% improvement in disruptive behavior was also observed following treatment with high-dose CBD/THC.

Furthermore, in addition to the benefits of CBD for patients with ASD themselves, the study’s findings also noted the positive effect of CBD on the children’s parents, who reported a 33 % reduction in stress at the end of the trial.

The Future of Research on Cannabis and CBD for Autism

The results of this groundbreaking Israeli study were so promising that a similar trial is currently underway, this time with twice as many participants. The study (linked above) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which participants will take either CBD oil or flavored olive oil for 12 weeks. The participants will then undergo a four-week detoxification period before beginning a second round of CBD- and placebo-based treatments for an additional 12 weeks.

Neither the participants, nor the parents, nor the researchers will know who is taking CBD and who is taking the placebo. This double-blind method is considered the gold standard for clinical trials, which means the results should leave little doubt about the ability of cannabis and CBD to effectively treat autism.

Is CBD safe for children with autism?

The safety of cannabis use among young people is a subject of ongoing debate, with several studies pointing to the potential for cannabinoids to affect brain development. It has been suggested that adolescents who regularly use marijuana are at a higher risk of developing psychological problems later in life.

Scientists do not yet fully understand why this is the case, but animal studies suggest that it may be due to the role of the endocannabinoid system in neurological development.

The Endocannabinoid System and Autism

The endocannabinoid system, or the endocannabinoid system (ECS), is present in all mammals. It consists of receptors and chemicals called endocannabinoids, which act on the body in the same way as the cannabinoids found in cannabis.

The endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in many of our biological functions. It appears that this includes the development of our brain and nervous system, both during the prenatal period and throughout childhood and adolescence.

Based on reports suggesting irregular SCE in patients with autism, at least one study suggests that «CBD has significant [potential] to impact the symptoms and comorbidities affecting people with ASD.»

Of course, the potential long-term effects of cannabis and CBD on children with autism are still unclear.

However, the Israeli study mentioned above found that few of its 60 participants experienced adverse effects from CBD treatment. The most commonly reported side effect was sleep disturbance, which affected only 14 % of the participants. In addition, 9 % experienced increased irritability, while 9 % experienced a loss of appetite.

It is also worth noting that the study chose to use a high CBD-to-THC ratio for its participants. Given the intoxicating and psychotropic nature of THC, a cannabis-based medication with a high THC content for children with autism would not be clinically practical. CBD, on the other hand, has no intoxicating effects.

However, according to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect, it appears that small amounts of THC may enhance the pharmacological activity of CBD. Striking an effective balance between these two compounds is essential, particularly when prescribing cannabis- or CBD-based treatments for young children.

Always consult a doctor before giving a child a cannabis- or CBD-based treatment. In some states, medical cannabis is an option for children with qualifying conditions, but this option is strictly based on a doctor’s evaluation on a case-by-case basis.

Final Thoughts: Can Cannabis and CBD Treat Autism?

Research on cannabis and CBD for autism is still in its early stages. So far, however, the evidence is very promising. More studies are already in the works, and they should help confirm whether cannabis and CBD can be beneficial for autism and its associated symptoms.

That said, it is important to note that there is little data on the long-term effects of cannabis and CBD on children with autism. Current research suggests that CBD may help improve behavior, communication, and anxiety with a low risk of side effects, but much more extensive research is needed.

If you have a child with ASD and would like to try cannabis or CBD, it is essential to talk to your doctor first. A doctor should be able to advise you on the most appropriate dosage for your child and discuss how to safely incorporate cannabis-based therapy into your daily routine.