Autism Spectrum disorder is a lifelong developmental disability. Could CBD help to ease some of the symptoms?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can affect how people communicate or interact with others or their environment. Some symptoms of the condition can be delayed language or movement skills, delayed cognitive or learning skills, hyperactivity, and impulsive or attention-seeking behaviour. Some patients may experience epilepsy or seizures combined with unusual eating or sleeping habits.
The National Autistic Society estimates that 700,000 adults and children have the condition in the UK. It is thought that one in 100 people are on the autism spectrum.
Increasingly, parents of autistic children have been turning to CBD for help with managing the symptoms.
One study discovered that one in five autism caregivers give their children CBD products. The autism parenting survey was sent to 160,000 subscribers around the world. It reported that 18.6 percent of respondents confirmed they use CBD for a child on the spectrum to relieve a variety of symptoms. This was further broken down to 22.16 percent of US parents compared to 14.29 percent of UK families.
How could CBD work for autism?
Research is limited on CBD for autism, but there are some studies out there, and research in this area is ongoing.
CBD and children with autism
One small-scale study revealed that CBD may be effective when it comes to improving the symptoms of ASD in children. The study included 53 children who received CBD for 66 days. During this time, self-injury and anger improved in 67.6 percent of participants, with hyperactivity symptoms improving in 68.4 percent. Sleep problems enhanced by 71.4 percent, while anxiety decreased by 47.1 percent.
CBD symptom relief
Another study on 188 people with autism revealed that cannabis seems to be well-tolerated and has effective symptom relief. The study monitored the patients for six months on oil that contained 30 percent CBD and 1.5 percent THC.
CBD containing compounds
A review of existing research from 2020 revealed the potential effect of CBD on the mental health of those with autism.
Researchers wrote: “CBD and CBD-containing compounds such as nabiximols helped alleviate symptoms of cannabis-related disorders, schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder, and comorbidities of ASD, and ADHD with a moderate recommendation.”
CBD and sleep
A case study explored whether CBD improved anxiety and sleep in 103 patients in a clinical setting. Seventy-two patients completed the study, of which 47 initially reported anxiety and 25 reported poor sleep as their primary condition. Anxiety scores decreased within the first month for 57 patients and remained low. In the poor sleep group, 66.7 percent reported improved sleep within the first month, although this changed throughout the study.
What is better for autism? CBD or THC
It can be confusing to know which cannabinoid could provide better outcomes for autism patients. It is always important to speak to any specialist or doctor providing treatment before deciding to start using CBD or medical cannabis.
In the UK, medical cannabis can be prescribed for autism, but it must be done through a private clinic. A patient can refer themself for an appointment to discuss if medical cannabis may be the right option.
Cannabis biomarkers in children
Cannformatics has announced results from its 2021 study on autism spectrum disorder that identifies cannabis-responsive biomarkers in children. This was the first study to examine the saliva of children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) treated with different cannabis or CBD products.
The children followed a unique regimen determined by their response to medical cannabis for at least a year before the start of the study. The cannabis and CBD products were provided by a dispensary in California in the form of tinctures and edibles. They were split into two groups, with 60 percent of the children receiving CBD-dominant cannabis and then 40 percent receiving THC-dominant cannabis.
The results also show how the cannabis-responsive biomarkers could be used to provide insights into the improvement of cannabis treatments for people with ADHD as well as other neurological disorders.
CBD dominant cannabis
A recent study from Turkey on adolescents with autism revealed that CBD-dominant cannabis may be effective. The study, which was conducted over two years, involved 33 adolescent patients being given CBD-dominant extracts. The patients had been diagnosed with mild to severe autism. Three of the patients were also diagnosed with epilepsy. The study used full-spectrum CBD with less than 3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The ratio of CBD to THC in the preparation was 20:1.
The researchers found a decrease in behavioural problems in ten patients, an increase in expressive language in seven patients, and improved cognition in four patients. It was also noted that there was an increase in social interaction for three patients.
What’s the best type of CBD for autism?
No one oil is better for autism than another. It is worth noting that studies on CBD for autism have been conducted using high-quality oil, which may not be the case with a retail equivalent.
Getting the dosage right or finding a brand that suits your needs can also take time.
Oil and tinctures are easy to take CBD, as you can pop it under the tongue. However, it can also be messy, and the flavour may differ from everyone’s taste. Capsules or patches can be a mess-free option if oral consumption is not an option.
Edibles are incredible, but it can be challenging to determine how much CBD you are ingesting due to the first-pass system. Some CBD is lost as the edibles travel through the digestive system before absorption.
How is it working?
This will vary from person to person depending on height, weight, or symptom management. It is always best to start low or negligible before building up to more substantial or more frequent doses.
Keeping a journal of changes is also recommended, as you can start seeing the CBD’s effect over time. Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than you expect or if a particular brand doesn’t work for you, as it can take a while to get the dosage right. Friends and family may also see changes before you do, so it is worth asking if they have noticed anything different.
Disclaimer: https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2022/02/16/cbd-helpful-patients-autism-spectrum-disorder-mentalhealth21
