CBD and Autism

The United States has recently made medical marijuana increasingly legal and accessible in states across the country. Along with this regulation change, there is also an increase in the research that is being done that’s trying to learn and understand all the benefits that stem from this natural herb. The cannabinoids – THC and cannabidiol (CBD) - are starting to show effectiveness in helping various illnesses and disorders.

One major disorder that researchers are looking at is Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These disorders are typically involving the brain and present social-communication challenges. Suffers of ASD also experience issues with activities, repetitive behaviors, and the interests of people afflicted. Recently, researchers have been looking at the effects of cannabidiol and how it might work to help some of the challenges that come along with ASD. Thus far, the results have been promising.

There have not been any verified clinical studies on the healing power relationship between hemp oil and autism, but there have been plenty of cases from healthcare providers and parents that are praising the benefits that cannabidiol has been supplying to individuals with the condition.

Clinical studies can sometimes take years to get approved because of our current regulations that U.S. authorities’ have set forth. Because of this, doctors are still a little hesitant to prescribe hemp oil as a treatment option for ASD. Regardless, there have been an array of studies that are showing cannabidiol as a natural, effective treatment option for those with autism.

The anecdotal evidence of this type of treatment is pretty widespread. A child with autism so bad he couldn’t speak came to clinical psychologist Dr. Giovanni Martinez in Puerto Rico. Dr. Martinez prescribed the child to hemp oil and after three weeks of use, the child spoke his first words. The mother of the kid reported that after the communication improvement, the child’s random outbursts also subsided, most likely as a result of being able to communicate better.

In 2013, Dr. Siniscalco conducted a study that found some compounds typically found in cannabis are able to help with treatment because of CB2 receptors being a therapeutic target for pharmacological management of care for autism.

Dr. Csaba Foldy led another study in 2013 that found, “endocannabinoids are molecules that are critical regulators of normal neuron activity and are important for many brain functions. By conducting studies in mice, we found that neuroliginb-3, a protein that is mutated in some individuals with autism, is important for relaying signals that tone down communication between neurons.”

Even though there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence, clinical studies must be done to get doctors on board with prescribing the natural medicine as treatment for autism.

Luckily, Dr. Adi Aran, an Isreal-based pediatric neurologist led the first clinical study on cannabis as a treatment for autism. In his study, two types of cannabis oil formulas or a placebo was given to participants. They are finding reductions in symptoms and improvements in the overall mood of the participants.

Dr. Aran cautions about jumping to conclusions about cannabidiol as an effective treatment for autism, but he feels optimistic about what he’s seen so far.

UK Classifies CBD Oil as a Medicinal Ingredient

After healthcare officials in the UK analyzed claims on cannabidiol’s benefits and effectiveness, they have officially classified CBD as medicine. The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) dissected several reports that were made by manufacturing companies claiming its medicinal benefits it offers for patients.

The director of inspection and enforcement at the MHRA, Gerald Heddel, explained, “The change really came about with us offering an opinion that CBD is in fact a medicine, and that opinion was based on the fact that we noted that people were making some quite stark claims about serious diseases that could be treated with cannabidiol.”

Unline THC, the cannabidiol component found in marijuana is not psychoactive and withholds various medical properties, such as: anticonvulsant, anti-oxidant, anti-tumoral, antipsychotic, and anti-inflammatory. These properties have been shown to treat conditions like Chron’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and epilepsy.

The interesting part is that a few months prior to accepting hemp oil as a medicinal ingredient, the MHRA was sending cease and desist letters to cannabidiol produces across the UK. Their agency released a statement that stated:

“The MHRA has now completed its review and has considered all information available to it relating to Cannabidiol (CBD) and having taken into account all the specific advice and evidence, it has come to an opinion that products containing Cannabidiol will satisfy the second limb of the definition of a ‘medicinal product’ because it may be used by or administered to human being either with a view to restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action, or to making a medical diagnosis.”

With this new classification of cannabidiol, this could be a foreshadow of what’s to come in UK; a full medical marijuana industry. This is great news for advocates all around the world. It further strengthens the argument towards widespread access to this amazing natural healing power.

It’s a powerful, natural alternative to traditional medicines that Big Pharma is scared of. They don’t want their users to understand there’s a medicine out there that actually does treat your underlying condition, instead of just masking it like most NSAID pain medications. If you have a serious condition and are looking for a more powerful medicine, cannabidiol might be a wonderful option for you to try. Do your research and find out if it’s right for you. It’s not to be abused, but if you add hemp oil to your daily regimen, you should start to see significant benefits to your overall health