Cannabidiol and Autism
Much is being said about the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of people with autism. In fact, most people in the community, whether they are autistic, parents, family members or caregivers, have heard about it. There are many reports of its use circulating on the internet, but little is said about the studies on the subject.
In this article, we will talk about it comprehensively, answering the following questions:
- What is cannabidiol?
- What is cannabidiol used for?
- Is the use of cannabidiol safe?
- Is there proof of therapeutic efficacy?
- Does its use in treating autism work?
- What do the studies say?
What is cannabidiol (CBD)
It is one of the many substances present in the hemp plant, popularly known as hemp. These substances present in the plant are called cannabinoids, and act on the central nervous system.
Hemp-based medicines have been allowed in Brazil since 2020, however, they can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. Despite being extracted from hemp, cannabidiol (CBD) does not produce euphoric effects and others linked to the recreational use of the plant, because during the extraction of CBD other substances are filtered and discarded, such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for example, which are responsible for such effects.1
What is cannabidiol used for?
The therapeutic potential of cannabidiol may benefit patients who have problems such as: anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, chronic pain, etc. However, studies are still lacking to clarify the mechanisms behind these benefits and which dosages are most appropriate for each case.
Studies suggest that cannabidiol oil may help in the treatment of epilepsy. This is certainly encouraging for families with autistics who have this comorbidity so common in ASD. Thanks to the substance’s interaction with the brain’s CB1-like receptors, cannabidiol is able to decrease the frequency of seizures.
Despite this, there is still no study that fully proves its effectiveness for these cases, being prescribed only when the other medicines indicated for epilepsy are not able to control the seizures adequately.
Is the use of cannabidiol safe?
According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), CBD has a good safety profile. Nevertheless, the answer to this question is not one.
You know the popular saying that the difference between a medicine and a poison is in the dosage? Well! This is true for most substances contained in medicines, and it is no different with cannabidiol.
At high dosages, unwanted effects can appear, such as fatigue and excessive sleeping, diarrhea, changes in appetite and weight, irritability, vomiting, and breathing problems. However, it is worth pointing out that these effects usually only occur when the product is used improperly, in high concentrations, and without medical recommendation.
Is it safe to buy a homemade oil?
The medical community does not recommend the use of handcrafted hemp oils. They are usually sold illegally as a cheaper and accessible alternative for people with lower purchasing power, however, in these cases the origin of the plant and the substances present in the product are not known, and this can be very dangerous for the health of the person who is going to use it.
Although the intention of those who produce is often genuinely good, the lack of resources makes it very difficult to have a real control over the substances, that is: the oil may have too much THC and cause harmful and intense effects, besides being difficult to know if there is enough CBD in the extract, or even if it is not too concentrated, which is even worse.
Also, because it is illegal, there is no enforcement. So the extract could be contaminated and potentially toxic.
Is there proof of therapeutic efficacy?
Currently, there are only studies that prove the effectiveness of cannabidiol for treating epilepsy. It is true that many other benefits of medical hemp are known, however, remember that we are only talking here about cannabidiol, one of the substances found in the plant, which is usually found in oil form.
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