Is CBD a Recommended Treatment for Autism?

If you are a parent with an autistic child, you may wonder whether the anecdotal news on CBD oil is accurate. It is difficult to ignore the growing popularity of our society using the CBD to treat many conditions and symptoms.

CBD is recommended for treating all sorts of conditions of diseases, including anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. It is also considered for symptoms related to acne, inflammation, insomnia, and physical pain. Everyone seems to be benefiting from it. Its effects can be so widespread.

But can CBD oil really help alleviate autism?

There is no cure for autism. However, researchers study almost all aspects of the disease, from causes to possible treatments.

In some people with autism, drugs and behavioral interventions can improve the effects of the disease to allow a person to act independently as an adult.

For other, concurrent symptoms and conditions, such as epilepsy, may require additional treatment and help.

Israeli researchers have found more convincing evidence that medical cannabis is an effective treatment for autistic children. In another study, researchers investigated autistic children with high concentrations of CBD, a non-toxic cannabinoid found in a cannabis plant.

Conditions in 80% of children have improved. Alternatively, the children did not show improvement with conventional pharmacological treatment.

The study was conducted by Dr. Adi Aran, director of pediatric neurology at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, who treated 60 children with high-CBD cannabis oil (20% CBD and 1% THC). Children have been treated with the oil for at least seven months.

After the treatment period, parents responded to the evaluation questionnaires to describe the health status of their children. Questions about behavioral changes, levels of anxiety, and communication skills were asked.

Here's what they reported:

80% of parents reported reduced behavioral problems, and 62% reported significant improvements.
Half of the children had better communication.
40% reported a significant reduction in anxiety.

Harvard University and the Boston Children's Hospital published a fundamental review of cannabis and autism studies in 2015. This collection reports promising research, but there is no evidence to conclude that cannabis improves symptoms for pediatric patients.

The Harvard study has shown that most analysis is based on animals and has not yet shown any translational effect on humans. In fact, the review concluded with the warning that treatment with cannabis should be used as the last drug after the failure of all conventional therapies.

In fact, the pediatric community generally resists studying the effects of cannabis in children, due to the potential for adverse side effects.

The study published in 2017 in Nature Journal reveals that brain growth in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with the severity of the disease. Researchers have speculated that this knowledge could help doctors diagnose autism earlier than ever before.

These studies are just a few examples of ongoing efforts that could help in future diagnosis and treatment of ASD.

What is Autism?

Autism or autism spectrum disorders cause a person to engage in recurring behaviors and often impairs with their social interaction with others.

ASD is a general term that represents a series of neural conditions.

It seems that some children with autism have symptoms from birth, while others may develop more obvious signs of growing.

According to the American Autism Association, doctors often diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in childhood when the symptoms occur before the age of 3 years.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 1 of 59 children has ASD.

Autism also has to do with other medical conditions, such as epilepsy and tubular sclerosis complex. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), it is estimated that between 20 and 30% of people with ASD develop epilepsy before childbirth.

What Causes Autism?

Autism Disorder has no single specific cause. Given how complex it is and how symptoms differ and vary in severity, there are likely many potential causes of autism. Genetics and the environment can play a role.

Genetics: It seems that several gene disorders are involved in the autism spectrum disorder. In some children, the autism spectrum disorder may be associated with a genetic disorder such as Rett's syndrome or Fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic modification (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorders. Other genes can affect brain development or how brain cells communicate or can determine the severity of the symptoms. Some genetic mutations are hereditary, while others are spontaneous.
Environmental: research suggests viral infections, medicines, complications during pregnancy, or airborne pollutants play a role in causing autism spectrum disorders.

Current Treatment Options

Babies grow at their own pace, and many of them do not follow the exact deadlines in parental books. However, children with autistic spectrum disorders usually have signs of postponement of development before the age of 2 years.

If you are concerned that your child may have autistic spectrum disorder, be sure to ask your pediatrician whether or not CBD may be suitable for your child's specific situation. Symptoms associated with this disorder may also be related to other developmental disorders.

Medical Treatment

No drug can improve central signs of autism spectrum disorders, but specific medications can help control symptoms. For example, some medications may be prescribed for hyperactivity. Antipsychotic drugs are sometimes used to treat severe behavioral problems, and antidepressants may be prescribed for anxiety. Keep your doctor aware of any remedies or supplements your child is taking. Some drugs and supplements may interact with each other, leading to dangerous side effects.

Alternative Treatment

Since autism spectrum disorders cannot be cured, many parents are looking for alternative or complementary therapies. It is vital to know that most alternative treatments have little or no research to prove their efficacy. You may unintentionally increase negative behaviors. And some alternative therapies are potentially dangerous.

Ask your child's doctor about the scientific evidence supporting any therapy you are considering for your child.

Examples of alternative treatment options that may help include Creative therapies, Sensory-based therapies, Massage, and Pet or horse therapy.

CBD Treatment

There is virtually no study yet confirming the idea that cannabis is an effective and available option for the treatment of autism.

However, one cannot ignore the report on this "miracle drug" that has so much proven success.

For people with autism, CBD itself has shown promising results as a treatment for different conditions, many of which could not be treated.

The most prominent CBD properties are neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic. CBD also has therapeutic value for treating diseases such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.

Some reports show a reduction in aggressive behavior, significant seizure reduction, and speech enhancement.

How CBD Can Treat Autism Symptoms

Neither CBD nor any other drug can eliminate or cure central symptoms of autism, including social communication problems, sensory dysfunction, and limited and recurring behavior. However, CBD can help alleviate disorders that are often associated with autism, such as epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, and stress.

By relieving related disorders, CBD may help alleviate some of the most problematic aspects of autism.

For example, it may lead to better sleep, less anxiety (which may reduce aggressive behavior), fewer seizures (which can reduce stress and facilitate social interactions), and fewer tensions related to learning and social communication.

It is also essential to keep in mind that insomnia and aggression are particularly challenging symptoms for parents, who may feel quickly exhausted and overwhelmed. Aggression is one of the most challenging behaviors common to autism; Often, this is one of the reasons why a parent can set up a child with autism in an institutional setting.