BudMed Bulletin for 31/10/24

Next issue: Cannabis for Mental Health

Unlocking Calm: How Medical Cannabis Is Changing Lives in the Autism Community

Introduction

Autism, characterised by challenges with social interaction, repetitive behaviours, and communication difficulties, has long been a condition where conventional treatments sometimes fall short. Amidst this backdrop, medical cannabis, particularly its non-psychoactive component CBD, alongside other cannabinoids and terpenes, has emerged as a subject of significant interest and research. This issue explores how cannabis might offer a new avenue for alleviating some of the core and co morbid symptoms of autism, providing hope and potentially improving the quality of life for many affected individuals and their families.

The Role of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS): The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes relevant to the Autism Spectrum Disorder - ASD, including neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, social behaviour, and response to environmental stressors.

• Studies indicate an altered ECS in individuals with ASD, suggesting a potential target for therapeutic interventions.

• CBD interacts with the ECS by modulating endocannabinoid levels and interacting with various receptors, including CB1, CB2, TRPV1, and 5-HT1a.)

Unlocking New Horizons: The Potential of CBD in Managing Autism Spectrum Disorder. Several studies, including open-label trials and a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, have reported improvements in various ASD symptoms following CBD treatment.

 Observed improvements include:

• Reduced anxiety and related symptoms

• “The results indicated reduced Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests, RRBI and symptoms related to various anxiety subtypes in autistic children following 6 months of CBD-rich cannabis treatment.”

• Improved social communication abilities: “These findings suggest that treatment with CBD-rich cannabis can yield improvements, particularly in social communication abilities, which were visible even when using standardised clinical assessments.”

• Decreased hyperactivity and agitation

• Improved sleep problems

• Mitigation of aggressive and self-injurious behaviours

• Enhanced concentration

Patient Stories

Meet Kiera, Dr. Sanjay Gupta follows several families who have seen the miraculous benefits of marijuana when used on their children struggling with autism. Video Link

Meet Joe, Adrift in a void of medical data, more parents are breaking federal laws by giving their kids weed to treat the disorder. Video link

Dosage and Formulations: The optimal dosage and formulation of CBD for ASD remains an active area of research.

• Studies suggest individualised titration of CBD dosage based on patient response, starting with low doses and gradually adjusting based on observed effects.

• The potential benefits of full-spectrum cannabis extracts (FCEs) containing various cannabinoids and terpenes are being explored.

Beyond CBD: The Symphony of Cannabis Compounds Enhancing Autism Therapy. The "entourage effect" proposes that the synergistic interaction between various cannabis compounds, including terpenes, may enhance the therapeutic benefits of CBD.

• A case report demonstrated the efficacy of terpene-enriched CBD oil in managing aggressive behaviours in an adolescent with ASD who had become unresponsive to pure CBD.

• “Combined with terpenes’ high safety index and the ease with which they can be incorporated into cannabinoid-containing products, terpene-enriched CBD products may provide a preferred approach for treating ASD and related conditions.”

Safety and Tolerability: CBD is generally well-tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse effects.

• Reported side effects in some studies were mild and included sleep disorders, restlessness, nervousness, and changes in appetite.

Conclusion: Research suggests that CBD holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for managing symptoms and comorbidities associated with ASD. However, further research, particularly double-blind placebo-controlled trials, is needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal treatment protocols. Individualised dosage titration and the exploration of terpene-enriched formulations warrant further investigation.

Sources:

Effects of Medical Cannabis Treatment for Autistic Children

Therapeutic potential of CBD in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms

Terpene-Enriched CBD oil for treating autism-derived symptoms unresponsive to pure CBD

Children and adolescents with ASD treated with CBD-rich cannabis exhibit significant improvements

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol-rich cannabis extract in children with autism

Cannabis and cannabinoid use in autism spectrum disorder

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Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter by BudMed Bulletin is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the use of medical cannabis.