Cannabis and Autism
CBD and THC help with health and behavioral problems related to autism spectrum disorder.
WHAT IS AUTISM?
Originating from the Greek word “autos” which means “I”, the term autism was first used in the 1940s to describe children with behavioral traits that we now recognize as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Little is known about why ASD develops. Genetics can be a factor, just like having children when you're older.
In many cases, children begin to show signs of ASD around the age of two/three.
If your son or daughter is on the higher end of the spectrum and displays aggressive behavior toward themselves or others, doctors often prescribe a "potpourri" of medications, such as antipsychotics, sedatives, or antidepressants in an attempt to to prevent violent outbursts.
THE STORY OF YUVAL
This is a true story:
Yuval, 27, from Israel, has severe autism and does not speak. Growing up, the medications prescribed by doctors to control his violent outbursts, self-destructive behavior, and strong anxiety did little to control his behavior or improve his quality of life.
"I think that people who don't live with severe autism really can't understand what it means," explains her mother Abigail Dar. “It is life in the shadow of hell. You live with a person you love and adore, and they are anxious and restless and yelling. And it goes up and down and you don't understand what it wants. And it drives the whole house crazy, self-harm and meltdowns aside, just the everyday.”
When Abigail and her husband first contemplated giving Yuval cannabis, ASD was not a qualifying condition in Israel. Thanks to Dar's relentless campaign, Yuval finally received a recipe:
“It was like magic,” says Dar, describing the change cannabis made in the young man's quality of life. “My son became a calm person, more focused, with a smile on his face, and for more than a year he did not show any self-destructive behavior or outbursts, which for me and for him is a miracle. It was life changing, you know you can spend time with him without being scared all the time.
Yuval responded best to a CBD-rich full-spectrum cannabis oil (Full Spectrum). Many boys and girls can experience significant improvements with this oil.
CONCLUSION
We know that the components of the cannabis plant, specifically tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), interact with the endocannabinoid system, which could explain why cannabis in its different forms and presentations seems to reduce the suffering of many children and adults with ASD.
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