02/03/2019
This is an article from iDWEEDS on using CBD for Autism!
CBD is at the root of many success stories detailing improvements in social abilities in kids with autism. Although CBD has not yet been approved as a treatment for autism, anecdotally it has helped improve the quality of life for many children with autism.
A surveillance study (April 2018) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 1 in 59 children (1 in 37 boys and 1 in 151 girls) as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the interaction of genes and environmental factors. There are many different forms and severity levels of autism. In severe cases, it could manifest itself as self-harm, nutrition refusal, and generally aggressive behavior. But parents also successfully give their kids CBD to treat ADHD/ADD, according to the parent reports.
Three quarters of children with autism are boys, according to Dr. Lester Grinspoon, M.D.
Table of Contents
CBD Impact on Autism
CBD treatment regulates emotion and focus. These are very important for the treatment of autism. CBD promotes oxytocin, which is the key to regulating social behavior.
The usual prescribed treatment for autism is antipsychotic ‘Big Pharma’ medications. These are not always effective and can have harmful side effects. In contrast, CBD has been proven to not be harmful to our bodies and has virtually no side effects.
Laboratory studies
Researchers from the Stanford University Medical School in 2013 uncovered a major discovery in relation to autism. They found that in people with autism, the endocannabinoid balance is disturbed due a mutated protein. The researchers suggest that if you target specific areas of the endocannabinoid signaling system it may be possible to reverse autism symptoms.
Later lab studies focused on the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in autism unilaterally concluded that it does indeed play a crucial role.
Research and studies at the University of California confirm CBD’s healing properties when it comes to treating autism. They reached the conclusion that CBD for autism blocks further brain degradation and has neuroprotective properties. One other vital study, performed by Dr. Dario Siniscalco, confirms that CB2 compounds found in cannabis may help ease the pain caused by autism.
Clinical studies
Israeli scientists are taking cannabis therapy for autism to the next level. A clinical trial has been created to prove that cannabis should be included as a major treatment for Autism. The Israeli medical team expert, side by side with the anecdotal contributors, is leading an official clinical trial of “medical cannabis” among autistic children and teenagers.
The study, run by Dr. Adi Eran, includes 120 individuals with autism, ranging in age from 4 to 30 years. The highlight of this clinical trial story is that the participants are given cannabis oil free of the cognitively impairing compound THC, but rich with cannabidiol (CBD).
The CBD autism treatment experimental approach is exactly the same as for pharmaceutical products: The researchers divided the participants into two groups, with one group being treated with CBD and the other given a placebo.
The scientists than reverse the groups and get more accurate results on how CBD affects autism and how CBD makes you feel. Results of this trial have not yet been published at the time of writing.
Anecdotal studies
Dr. Piomelli suggests that anecdotal experiences must be considered as an important contribution to the scientific approach to the problem.
Mieko Hester-Perez became a well-known cannabis advocate after publically revealing that she successfully treated her son’s autism with CBD. She dedicates her time to making cannabis widely available to other children with autism and making this treatment publically acceptable. She wants other children to enjoy the benefits that her son Joey did.
Even mainstream media like FOX Morning News, The Doctors, The Dr. Juan Rivera Show, NBC, CBS, Good Morning America, ABC’s 20/20, Motherboard, Vice Media, The National Ma*****na News and many other networks showed support to the positive CBD autism treatment experience. – Mieko Hester-Perez
Mieko plans to use her sons ”Joey’s Strain” as a platform for more CBD autism clinical studies.
Ph.D., Bernard D Rimland from the Autism Research Institute comments on the need to consider using a ”relatively safe drug like ma*****na” as he continuously says:
“The reports we are seeing from parents indicate that medical ma*****na often works when no other treatments, drug or non-drug, have helped.”
Other parents’ anecdotes are supported by Brown University Professor Marie Myung-Ok Le, who is the author of the novel ”Somebody’s Daughter” which focuses on autism and cannabis.
Another example of a doctor advocating for CBD treatment is Dr. Giovanni Martinez, a clinical psychologist in Puerto Rico. The doctor reports positive news about a particular kid who went from nonverbal to verbal by simply using CBD spray twice a day.
Parents’ CBD Stories
Brave parents, concerned about the toxicity of many pharmaceutical drugs, also turn to oral CBD autism treatment (CBD oil usage), and report success with self-medication. Most of the other anecdotes promote CBD consumption, but there is one in which THC played a positive role:
Parents eased the condition of their child Noah, who was affected with severe autism, by using high doses of THC because THC redirects the neurons in a way that is more manageable for patients with autism.
By using THC oil, his cognitive functions increased gradually as well. His parent also added cannabidiol to Noah’s THC oil therapy. The ratios were: 1:3 CBD/THC ratio.
Even cannabidiol oil for dogs has shown improved psychological conditions and pain relief.
Another important parent experience tells of a child affected by severe autism. After she was given a high CBD tincture, within one hour their daughter managed to get some sleep and also started eating—something that had previously been a huge struggle.
A kid named “J” had been portraying intense aggression at school. But after “J” had taken CBD oil, he did not express any aggression. His parents do not see CBD oil as a miracle, but rather as a safe botanical plant which keeps their son far from pain and gives him the opportunity to have a normal daily life.
Additionally, the authoritative website parenting.com shares a story of a 9-year-old child with autism, Kalel Santiago. He broke the silence and started talking thanks to the healing properties of CBD. By making it a habit of spraying CBD into his mouth, twice per day, his parents reported stunning results.
CBD oil Dosage for Autism
Especially relevant is that the dosage amount should be in part determined by the severity of the condition. Secondly, you should take the size and age of your child into consideration. Cannabidiol is also safe to experiment with different dosages.
According to CBD experts, and scientific reports, it is not possible to overdose with CBD. However, The Pediatric Cannabis Support recommends for starters to go with the low usage dose and increase it gradually.
Oral intake is the most common method of CBD consumption for the treatment of autism. When kids are sensitive to certain tastes, mixing it with food is a very popular method of consumption. Sprays are also a convenient option.
From parent reports of children of 10 years and older treated with CBD, we hear that a CBD dosing of 25 mg taken twice a day is a good way to start.
From parent reports of small children (younger than 5 years) treated with CBD, we hear that a CBD dosing of 10 mg taken twice a day is a good way to start.
When parents are monitoring for four days before changing dosage levels (such as increasing when symptoms only mildly reduced), they can determine what dosage level works best for their child.
Take into account that while some symptoms (like mood and focus) improve more or less instantly, other symptoms like being non-verbal can take weeks to slowly dissipate. Speech does not return (or start) immediately.
