Autism and CBD oil. Can it help?

12. 02. 2024

Is CBD suitable for a child?

When a child is diagnosed with autism, parents are usually bombarded with a list of possible "cures" that may be at best a temporary solution, at worst a life-threatening fraudulent panacea. CBD oil often appears on the list of potential autism treatment options, and with so much misinformation surrounding it, it's hard to distinguish fact from fiction. If you are considering using CBD oil to manage the symptoms of autism, the following is all the information you need, including the most up-to-date research on the subject.

The effectiveness of using CBD oil for autism

Research on the use of CBD oil for autism is scarce, but those that have been conducted so far point to its potential effectiveness. In 2019, two such studies investigating childhood autism, or the effects of cannabinoids in children with autism, were published.

Autism in children

The first was a preliminary study conducted on 60 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and severe behavioural disorders. Patients were administered cannabidiol-rich cannabis (CBD). Outcomes were measured using the Caregiver Global Impression of Change scale, in which caregivers report the degree of improvement or worsening of symptoms on a seven-point scale (very marked improvement to very marked worsening).

One patient who received cannabis with a higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content did not respond well to treatment. For the most part, however, the results were promising, and the study concluded: "After cannabis treatment, 61% of patients showed a significant or very significant improvement in behavioural symptoms. This preliminary study supports continued trials of CBD in children with autism spectrum disorder."

Another study was conducted on 188 children with autism spectrum disorder. It used medical cannabis with a CBD to THC ratio of 20 : 1 and after 6 months of treatment, the participants self-assessed the results. Of the 93 patients who continued treatment and completed the evaluation, 83.8% reported significant or moderate improvement in their disease.

Autism and epilepsy

Together with autism, patients may also have epilepsy. This is disproportionately higher than in the general population, where only 1.2% of cases occur. In contrast, up to a third of people with autism spectrum disorder also suffer from epilepsy.

In three studies involving people with two types of epilepsy - Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome - CBD drops significantly reduced the frequency of seizures. In the case of Dravet syndrome, there was a reduction in the number of convulsive tonic-clonic, tonic-clonic, clonic and atonic seizures, while in those with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, there was a reduction in the number of seizures associated with falls.

Benefits of CBD oil use on autism symptoms

Although CBD drops will by no means cure autism completely, research conducted so far suggests that they may be of value to autistic patients due to their anticonvulsant (anticonvulsant), anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving) and neuroprotective (nerve-protecting) properties. CBD oil has also been shown to help manage mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. This makes it a very promising tool for people struggling with autism.

Anecdotal reports from parents of autistic children speak of the ability of CBD oils to reduce the number of seizures, reduce aggressive behavior in children, and improve speech. Since clinical research on the use of CBD oil to treat autism symptoms is still scarce, many people rely on these reports from parents when deciding whether to give their autistic child CBD. While they are encouraging, it is still very important to consult with your child's pediatrician before starting CBD oil treatment. Together, the two of you can decide on the best and safest route.

CBD for children with autism: is it safe?

There are a number of ethical issues surrounding the conduct of scientific research on children, and as a result, there are few studies involving CBD oil that provide a definitive answer to the question of whether or not it is safe to use in children. By all accounts, however, CBD is largely harmless. For starters, the World Health Organization (WHO) states in its report as follows: "CBD does not produce the effects usually seen with cannabinoids such as THC. It also does not produce significant addictive effects in humans... it is generally well tolerated, with a good safety profile."

In addition, a review of clinical trials published in The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics cited a number of cases in which CBD has been documented to help children. Among the issues for which CBD oil was shown to be beneficial was the treatment of behavioral problems.

The report in the journal Global Pediatric Health also states that "CBD and similar products remain a promising but unproven tool in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder." Only time - and further scientific research - will tell if CBD oil is indeed an effective treatment for autism. With this in mind, and as with any other treatment involving children, we recommend consulting a health care professional before making any decisions about the use of CBD oil.

How to use CBD drops for autism

There are several different ways to use CBD oil, and the one that is most appropriate will depend on the patient being treated who is struggling with autism. Since in most cases CBD oil will be administered to a child, it is most sensible to use CBD oil in capsules, in the form of edibles (such as gummies), CBD drops or tinctures. CBD oil or CBD tincture will provide maximum control over the dosage and can be added to cocktails, for example, to disguise the oil and make it more pleasant for the child to take. For starters, CBD drops (either oil or tincture) may be best, as you can adjust the dosage literally drop by drop until you find the amount of CBD that is best for managing the symptoms of autism.

Precise dosing is also possible with CBD capsules, which can be given to your child at breakfast time or along with other vitamin supplements. Edibles such as CBD candies can be more easily incorporated into your child's routine and are more of a treat than a treatment. Depending on exactly where your child is on the autism spectrum, a combination of products may work best for their symptoms. For example, capsules can be taken daily to reap the essential benefits of CBD, while a tincture or CBD oil can be given under the tongue (bypassing the digestive system) to relieve sudden symptoms of stress and anxiety when they appear.

CBD oil dosage for autism

When it comes to determining dosage for autism spectrum disorders, it is best to consult a pediatrician. The recommended dosage of CBD products is usually created with adults in mind. In addition, you may benefit from speaking with a naturopathic doctor who can provide you with more individualized information about which CBD products and what dosages are best for you or your child.

Best CBD oil for autism

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide which CBD oil is best for you or your child - taking CBD oil is a highly individual matter, and what works for one person may not be desirable for another. However, in order to get on the right track, you should keep the following information in mind when purchasing CBD oil to ensure that you are getting the safest and most effective product for your money. Look for organic products. Always choose brands that extract CBD from organic hemp. This will ensure that the product you buy is free of harmful chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides.

Check the THC content. When giving CBD oil to a child, it is ideal to have a product that contains minimal or no THC because of its intoxicating effects. These could potentially negatively affect the child's development. In most countries, the limit for THC content in CBD products is 0.3% or less, and in the Czech Republic it is up to 1% as of early 2022. However, if you want a product with 0% THC, look for products labelled as CBD isolates.

Read the Certificate of Analysis (COA). All reputable brands have their extracts lab tested by an independent party and publish the lab certificate or COA for consumers to read. Our Hemnia CBD oils are no exception. These analyses tell you what all is (or is not) in your product. A COA helps you determine the potency of your product (i.e. how much CBD and THC is in it) and also tells you if harmful pesticides, chemicals or heavy metals are present. Because the CBD oil industry is not currently regulated, brands may make claims on their label that are not accurate. This is why COAs are key. If a company cannot provide a certificate of analysis, it may be best to look elsewhere.

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Disclaimer

Every brand has a responsibility to its customers. Hemnia is all about natural remedies and a harmonious lifestyle. We like to write about these things and share our good experiences. In addition to verified quality and correct, understandable descriptions for our products, we have a duty to let you know what we can and cannot be held responsible for. The goal is your safety and we fully respect that.

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