Cannabis and Autism: Best Way to Calm Mood Swings

According to the Government of Canada, at least one in every 68 children develops ASD, in our northerly neighbor country. Statistics are not much better here, with some studies putting numbers even higher. It causes immense communicative, social and behavioral troubles, and the subsequent mood swings challenge sufferers and their families alike.

Understanding Autism

The definition of autism is having difficulties communicating, interacting socially with others, and behaving repetitively. Most parents notice issues as their children reach certain milestones; it typically becomes apparent in early childhood. What causes it remains a mystery, but several theories exist, including a belief that both genetic and environmental factors are culpable.

Symptoms of Autism

Science does not know what causes autism, but there are certain characteristics that define its symptoms. These include a delay in speech, such as slow speaking and language comprehension. Patients tend to focus intensely, overly so, on their interests. They struggle to interact with people and are extremely sensory sensitive, such as to sound and color contrast.

Sufferers rock, clap, or otherwise engage in repetitive motions, almost obsessively. Since autism is a spectrum disorder, it does not affect intellectual ability in all victims, whether adult or child. Some may struggle to speak and display other severe disabilities, while others still manage to excel in work and school. Adult patients are often unemployed, and often anxious, depressed, and unable to sleep.

Treating Autism

Treatment is not a case of ordering Santa Monica weed delivery. At least not just yet. For now, the medical community still struggles to find the right therapy for autistic kids. Early intervention is crucial, as clear evidence shows immense benefit in later life. These include social skills therapy, as well as speech and language therapy, even applied behavior analysis, or ABA.

However, when it comes to treating autism medicinally, the most common drugs prescribed are antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Although patients find some relief from some symptoms, these drugs cause other mental and physical health issues over the long-term, such as addiction, obesity, mobility disorders, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Treating Autism with Medical Marijuana

Because the cannabis plant, all of it, has historically been illegal, only a handful of studies exist into its effects on autism specifically. This is in large part due to Israel pioneering cannabis research, having legalized its medical use back as far back as 1992. The country prides itself on having conducted hundreds of different studies into the medical properties of cannabis.

According to Neurology, one particular study out of Israel found medical marijuana to be highly effective at reducing both behavioral issues and associated epileptic seizures in autistic children. This is especially good news, as it also found at least 19 percent of autistic kids also suffering from seizure disorders. The mechanism of action for its effectiveness seems to lie in its effect on the endocannabinoid system.

An important 2013 study noted that the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, and specifically its CB2 receptor, shows huge promise in treating autism. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the most researched and psychoactive compound in cannabis, actually binds to that exact receptor, treating all associated symptoms and the condition itself.

Several animal studies on rodents found a significant link between alterations on the X chromosome and changes in the endocannabinoid system, a huge suspect the development of autism. The most recent study, published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 2017, showed the ECS responsible for managing neuroinflammation, the main characteristic of autism in children.

Children and Cannabis

Much controversy surrounds the question of whether it is ethical to give marijuana to kids. The Canadian Pediatric Society said in a 2015 statement, “there is little data to support either the efficacy or safety of cannabis use for any indications in children.” This led to doctors in Ontario being advised against prescribing cannabis to anyone under 25-years unless all other options failed.

However, many parents and activists, including the likes of Mieko Hester-Perez, are claiming loudly to be treating all of their children’s autism symptoms effectively with cannabis. Parents are readily providing anecdotal evidence showing how the administration of cannabidiol, or CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is reducing aggression, outbursts, social troubles, and communication issues significantly.

Consuming Cannabis for Autism

Because CBD is non-intoxicating and contains no THC, experts consider it safe for children. CBD oil typically derives from industrial hemp, a cannabis plant that has less than 0.3 percent THC, not enough to make anybody “high.” Using marijuana to treat autism does not mean you have to smoke it either. There are other, more effective, ways to administer cannabinoids to autistic patients:

• CBD sprays drops, and oils are among the easiest ways to take it.
• Edibles are healthy and provide long-lasting treatment, even if it takes up to two hours to start working. For autistic kids, this is, without doubt, the best manner of consumption. Parents can make a variety of delicious homemade edibles, including smoothies, brownies, even cupcakes.
• Vaping is another method of administration that works quickly and works well. However, some parents may feel uncomfortable about young children vaping, but for many, vapes are highly effective.

Weed Delivery Santa Monica

The only way to know if cannabis will help you or a loved one survive autism is to try it firsthand. Santa Monica weed delivery is incredibly popular. However, if you are taking other medications, such as antipsychotics and SSRIs, then it is of utmost importance that you discuss cannabinoid therapy with your doctor beforehand. Cannabis can affect the efficacy and effectiveness of some prescription drugs.